What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

Jaw pain or tenderness is the most common, but TMJ disorders show up in ways people often don't connect to the jaw — clicking or popping when you open your mouth, headaches, earaches, facial soreness, difficulty chewing, or a jaw that catches or locks. Many people have several of these for months before anyone links them together.

Can TMJ go away on its own?

Sometimes. If the cause is short-term — a period of stress, a recent injury, a stretch of heavy clenching — symptoms can settle on their own once that passes. What doesn't resolve on its own is a structural cause or an ongoing habit like nighttime grinding, because the pressure on the joint keeps being applied. If it has lasted more than a few weeks or keeps returning, it is worth having looked at.

How is TMJ diagnosed?

It starts with an exam and your history — where the pain is, when it began, what makes it worse. Dr. Seifi checks the joint's range of motion, listens and feels for clicking or grinding as you open and close, and examines your teeth for the wear patterns that point to clenching or grinding. Imaging is used when it is needed to see the joint itself. Only a proper examination can distinguish TMJ from the other things that cause facial and jaw pain.

Is surgery necessary for TMJ?

Surgery is usually a last resort. Most TMJ cases can be managed with non-invasive treatments such as oral appliances, physical therapy, or by changing behaviors or routines.

Temporomandibular Joint
(TMJ)

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

You may have heard about the TMJ before, perhaps in a magazine or TV news story. TMJ is an acronym that stands for “temporomandibular joint.” That’s the point, on either side of your head, at which your lower jaw connects with the skull; those points are the hinges that allow your jaw to go up and down. TMJ problems can be a distracting source of pain and require a highly-trained specialist to properly diagnose and treat them. Surgery tends to be used only in severe cases or when the TMJ is somehow damaged. Usually, such treatments as medication and the wearing of dental appliances to prevent nighttime grinding during sleep are all that is required.

Injuries and Infections of the Face

In the event of a traumatic accidents, oral surgery may be required to repair broken or fractured jaws and other facial bones. When pain and swelling appear in the face, neck or jaws, a consultation with a specialist can be key to the fast identification and treatment of any underlying, and potentially life-threatening, infections. Treatment is such cases can include the surgical draining of an infected area.
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Repair

You’ve more than likely seen heartbreaking images of children in the Third World who have been born with cleft lips and palates. That’s not to say it only happens in impoverished places. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2,650 babies are born with a cleft palate and 4,440 babies are born with a cleft lip (with or without a cleft palate) each year in the U.S. Those occur when a child’s mouth and nasal cavity don’t grow together properly prior to birth, resulting in a gap of the upper lip, the roof of the mouth or both. It takes a team of specialists a good deal of time to treat cleft lips and plates—and oral surgeons are vital members of those teams.

Common Causes of TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can stem from a variety of everyday habits and health issues. One of the most common causes is bruxism, or teeth grinding—especially during sleep. This puts excessive pressure on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often leading to pain and stiffness.

Stress is another significant factor. When you're under emotional or physical stress, you may clench your jaw or grind your teeth without realizing it. Over time, this constant tension can contribute to joint inflammation and muscle fatigue.

Other contributing causes include trauma to the jaw, arthritis in the temporomandibular joint, or even poor posture such as that caused by sitting long hours working at a desk or staring at screens. Misaligned teeth or bite issues can also affect how your jaw functions, potentially leading to joint problems.

Understanding these causes is the first step in identifying effective treatment. At StarBrite Dental, we evaluate each patient individually to determine the root cause of TMJ symptoms and offer personalized treatment options that target your unique condition.

What Patients Are Saying About StarBrite Dental

"Excellent dental care from start to finish they have helped me fix all of my dental issues. It had been a long time since I saw any dentists and was not sure of what to expect. Dr. Ledoux helped calm my fears and anxiety about starting the process again but I am happy to finally be taking care of myself and getting healthy."

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Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

Jaw pain or tenderness is the most common, but TMJ disorders show up in ways people often don't connect to the jaw — clicking or popping when you open your mouth, headaches, earaches, facial soreness, difficulty chewing, or a jaw that catches or locks. Many people have several of these for months before anyone connects them.
Can TMJ go away on its own?

Sometimes. If the cause is short-term — a period of stress, a recent injury, a stretch of heavy clenching — symptoms can settle on their own once that passes. What doesn't resolve on its own is a structural cause or an ongoing habit like nighttime grinding, because the pressure on the joint keeps being applied. If it has lasted more than a few weeks or keeps returning, it is worth having it looked at.
How is TMJ diagnosed?

It starts with an exam and your history — where the pain is, when it began, what makes it worse. Dr. Seifi checks the joint's range of motion, listens and feels for clicking or grinding as you open and close, and examines your teeth for the wear patterns that point to clenching or grinding. Imaging is used when it is needed to see the joint itself. Only a proper examination can distinguish TMJ from the other things that cause facial and jaw pain, which is why self-diagnosis is unreliable here.
Is surgery necessary for TMJ?

Surgery is usually a last resort. Most TMJ cases can be managed with non-invasive treatments such as oral appliances, physical therapy, or by changing behaviors or routines.