Jaw pain can make everyday activities like chewing, talking, and yawning uncomfortable, and if you're experiencing clicking, stiffness, headaches, or pain around your ears, you may have TMJ syndrome. Dr. Marzban tailors TMJ treatment for each patient because the type of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms and their severity. In this post, learn about TMJ syndrome, common causes of it, how it's diagnosed, and treatment options that can help relieve pain and support proper jaw movement and function.

What Is TMJ Syndrome?

TMJ syndrome, also called a temporomandibular disorder or TMD, refers to problems affecting the jaw joints, the muscles around them, or both. It can cause pain, stiffness, clicking, and trouble moving the jaw comfortably. Whether your TMJ symptoms are periodic or chronic, in many cases they improve with non-invasive treatments and healthy lifestyle habits.

What Are Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome?

TMJ symptoms are different for each patient. Some people may have mild clicking with little pain, while others have daily discomfort that affects eating, speaking, or sleeping.

Common symptoms of TMJ syndrome include:

Jaw pain, stiffness or tenderness
Pain near the ears
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
Difficulty chewing
Feeling like the jaw is “stuck” or locked
Headaches
Neck, shoulder, or facial pain
Ear fullness or ringing
Tooth sensitivity

What Causes TMJ Syndrome?

TMJ syndrome usually is due to several factors including, the jaw joint, surrounding muscles, teeth alignment, posture, and stress.

Teeth Grinding & Clenching

Habitual teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching place excessive pressure on the jaw joints and muscles which leads to inflammation and jaw pain.

Stress & Muscle Tension

Stress often causes muscle tension and unconscious jaw clenching, which can aggravate TMJ symptoms.

Bite or Dental Issues

A misaligned bite, missing teeth, or other dental issues can affect the way the jaw functions and moves. When the teeth don’t align properly, it can shift the jaw’s natural alignment and place uneven or excessive pressure on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. This imbalance can lead to discomfort, stiffness, and increased strain in the TMJ area.

Jaw Injury

Trauma from a fall, sports injury, or car accident can damage the jaw joint and surrounding tissues, leading to TMJ pain.

Arthritis

Conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the jaws joints causing chronic pain and stiffness.

Poor Posture

Poor posture can contribute to TMJ syndrome because it affects how the head, neck, and jaw are aligned. When the body is out of alignment, especially from leaning forward over a computer (tech neck), the muscles in the neck and upper back become strained. This tension can travel upward into the jaw muscles, affecting how the jaw rests and moves.

Chewing Habits

Habits like chewing gum frequently or chewing on one side can cause imbalance and strain, potentially causing pain, stiffness, and jaw discomfort over a prolonged period.

How Do Dentists Diagnose TMJ?

TMJ syndrome is diagnosed by reviewing your medical history, examining your jaw, and with imaging tests, if needed. During your exam, Dr. Marzban will:

Use CBCT 3D imaging to check the joint position and health and Electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle coordination and strain
Check your jaw movement
Listen and feel for clicking or popping
Examine your bite and teeth
Look for signs of grinding or clenching
Gently press on the jaw, face, neck, and shoulder muscles to locate points of tenderness

What Are TMJ Syndrome Treatment Options?

TMJ treatment usually starts with a conservative approach that focuses on reducing pain, relaxing the jaw muscles, improving function, and preventing symptoms from worsening.

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy can help relieve TMJ syndrome by targeting tight, overworked muscles in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. These muscles often contribute to pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited jaw movement. Dr. Marzban collaborates with certified Myofunctional Therapist Admarys Allones, CDA, to create personalized exercise programs that support oral health, proper breathing, and overall well-being.

Orthodontics to Align the Jaw

We make orthotics to align the jaw in a balanced position for improved muscle coordination and chewing function. Because every patient's bite and jaw are unique, each orthotic is customized to support long-term comfort and function.

Improve Sleep Habits

Sleep and TMJ symptoms are closely connected. Poor sleep can increase pain sensitivity and jaw pain can make it harder to rest. Good sleep habits include:

Keep a consistent sleep schedule
Avoid caffeine late in the day
Sleep on your back or side instead of your stomach
Sleep with a pillow that supports proper head and neck alignment
Limiting screen time before bed

TMJ Dentist in Burke, Fairfax & Northern Virginia

If you have jaw pain, don’t continue to suffer. Dr. Marzban specializes in diagnosing and treating TMJ syndrome to help with jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping, chewing issues, and facial tension. We’re dedicated to providing care that’s personalized just for you. Contact us today to learn how to get lasting relief. Our office is in the Kings Park Professional Building, and we provide care to patients in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, and throughout Northern Virginia.

FAQs

If you have jaw pain, have clicking or popping, difficulty chewing, frequent headaches, or limited jaw movement, it’s important to see a dentist right away for an evaluation.
Most TMJ treatments are non-invasive and not painful. Oral appliances, facial exercises, and lifestyle adjustments are designed to reduce discomfort.
You should see a dentist if you experience ongoing jaw pain, clicking or popping, difficulty opening your mouth, or frequent headaches related to jaw tension.
Your teeth should only be lightly touching at rest.

What is TMJ Syndrome Treatment?