What are TMJ disorders?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. They work with the surrounding muscles every time you talk, chew or yawn. TMJ disorders affect the joints, the muscles, or both, and are one of the most common causes of facial pain.
Symptoms range from an occasional click to persistent pain, headaches, jaw locking and difficulty opening the mouth fully. Clenching and grinding, often linked to stress and poor sleep, are among the most common contributors.
Common symptoms
- Jaw pain or tenderness, especially in the morning
- Clicking, popping or grating when you open or close your mouth
- Headaches around the temples
- Ear-area pain or a feeling of fullness, without an ear infection
- Limited opening, or a jaw that locks or catches
- Sore or tired jaw muscles after chewing
- Worn, chipped or flattened teeth from grinding
What can cause jaw pain
TMJ problems rarely have a single cause. Common factors include:
- Clenching and grinding (bruxism), day or night
- Muscle tension linked to stress, posture and long hours at a desk
- Bite changes, such as missing teeth or a new restoration that doesn’t meet evenly
- Joint changes, such as a displaced disc inside the joint or arthritis
- Injury to the jaw or face
Because so many things can contribute, a careful assessment comes before any treatment.
How we assess your jaw
- Your history. When the symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, sleep, stress and any grinding your partner has noticed.
- Examination. Jaw movement and opening, joint sounds, the muscles of the face and neck, your bite and signs of tooth wear.
- Imaging where needed. X-rays or a referral for further imaging if the joint itself needs a closer look.
- Your plan. We explain what we think is driving your symptoms and the options, with costs, before anything begins.
Treatment options
Most TMJ symptoms improve with conservative, reversible care, which is where we start:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Custom night guard (occlusal splint) | Protects teeth from grinding and relaxes the jaw muscles at night |
| Self-care plan | Soft diet during flare-ups, warm compresses, jaw exercises and habit awareness |
| Bite assessment and adjustment | Corrects a restoration or contact that loads the joint unevenly |
| Replacing worn or missing teeth | Restores a stable bite (see restorative dentistry) |
| Referral | To a physiotherapist, or a specialist for joint problems that need more |
TMJ treatment starts from AED 1,000, and you receive a written estimate after your assessment.
Night guards: why custom matters
Shop-bought boil-and-bite guards are bulky, can shift your bite and wear through quickly. A custom guard is made from a digital scan of your teeth, fits precisely and is thin enough to sleep in comfortably. It also protects cosmetic work such as veneers and bonding.
When to see someone sooner
Book promptly if your jaw locks open or closed, if pain is severe or getting worse, or if symptoms follow an injury. If you have jaw pain with chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical care.
