Jaw pain can affect much more than chewing. It may make it uncomfortable to speak, yawn, eat certain foods, or open your mouth fully. Some patients also notice clicking, popping, headaches, or tension that extends into the face and neck.
These symptoms may be related to the temporomandibular joints, commonly called the TMJs. Dr. John Savukinas evaluates jaw movement, bite function, muscle tenderness, and possible clenching or grinding before recommending care.
Dr. Savukinas has completed more than 1,000 TMJ, night guard, and occlusal appliance cases during his career.
Looking for TMJ treatment in Rockville, MD?
Call 301-738-1155 or request a jaw pain evaluation online.
What Is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw to the skull. One joint is located on each side of the face, just in front of the ears.
These joints work with the surrounding muscles, ligaments, teeth, and bite to help you:
- Open and close your mouth
- Move the jaw from side to side
- Chew food
- Speak
- Swallow
- Yawn
A problem involving the joint, surrounding muscles, bite, or related structures may be described as a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
TMJ and TMD: What Is the Difference?
TMJ refers to the joint itself. TMD refers to a disorder affecting the joint, nearby muscles, or jaw function.
Patients often use the terms interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. A person can have pain around the TMJ because of muscle overuse, joint inflammation, clenching, trauma, arthritis, or another cause.
That is why treatment should begin with an evaluation rather than assuming every clicking jaw needs the same solution.
Symptoms That May Be Related to TMD
TMJ-related symptoms vary widely. Some patients mainly experience muscle soreness, while others notice restricted movement or discomfort inside the joint.
Possible signs include:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully
- A jaw that feels stuck or locked
- Pain while chewing
- Morning jaw fatigue
- Frequent clenching or grinding
- Headaches near the temples
- Facial muscle tension
- Discomfort near the ears
- Neck or shoulder tension
- Changes in the way the teeth fit together
Joint sounds alone do not always indicate a condition requiring treatment. However, clicking or popping accompanied by pain, limited movement, or locking should be evaluated.
Why Jaw Pain Can Be Difficult to Diagnose
Pain around the jaw may come from several sources. Symptoms can overlap with dental problems, sinus pressure, ear conditions, headaches, muscle strain, arthritis, or nerve-related pain.
A careful examination may help distinguish between:
- Muscle-related jaw tension
- Joint inflammation
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- A damaged or infected tooth
- Bite-related overload
- Trauma to the jaw
- Restricted joint movement
- Conditions that may require medical or specialist evaluation
Dr. Savukinas will consider your symptoms, history, examination findings, and any necessary imaging before discussing treatment.
What Can Cause TMJ Problems?
There is not always one clear cause. TMD may develop from a combination of factors.
Possible contributors include:
- Chronic teeth grinding or clenching
- Stress-related muscle tension
- Trauma to the jaw, face, or head
- Arthritis within the joint
- Jaw overuse
- Chewing gum frequently
- Biting hard objects
- Changes in the bite
- Missing or worn teeth
- Poorly fitting dental restorations
- Joint disc displacement
In some patients, symptoms appear suddenly after an injury. In others, they develop gradually from repetitive habits or muscle overuse.
What Happens During a TMJ Evaluation?
A TMJ evaluation focuses on how the jaw moves, where discomfort occurs, and whether the teeth or muscles are contributing to the problem.
Dr. Savukinas may:
- Ask when the symptoms began
- Review any history of trauma
- Check how far the mouth opens
- Observe jaw movement
- Listen or feel for clicking and popping
- Examine the chewing muscles for tenderness
- Look for signs of clenching or grinding
- Evaluate the bite
- Check for worn, cracked, or damaged teeth
- Review dental images when appropriate
The goal is to identify which structures may be involved and whether conservative dental treatment is appropriate.
Signs of Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Many patients clench or grind without realizing it. Bruxism may happen during sleep, while concentrating, or during periods of stress.
Possible signs include:
- Flattened or worn tooth surfaces
- Small enamel cracks
- Chipped teeth or restorations
- Morning jaw soreness
- Headaches after waking
- Indentations along the tongue
- Cheek biting
- Muscle enlargement near the jaw
- Sensitivity caused by enamel wear
Clenching and grinding may contribute to jaw discomfort, but they are not the only possible causes of TMD.
Conservative TMJ Treatment Options
Initial TMJ care often focuses on reducing strain and calming irritated muscles or joints.
Depending on the findings, Dr. Savukinas may recommend:
- Temporarily avoiding hard or chewy foods
- Limiting gum chewing
- Applying heat or cold as directed
- Practicing relaxed jaw posture
- Reducing daytime clenching habits
- Stress-management strategies
- Gentle jaw exercises when appropriate
- A custom occlusal appliance
- A night guard for grinding or clenching
- Referral for physical therapy, medical care, or specialist evaluation
Treatment should be based on the suspected cause. A night guard may help selected patients, but it is not the correct solution for every type of jaw pain.
How a Custom Night Guard May Help
A custom night guard is designed to fit over the teeth and alter how the upper and lower teeth contact during sleep.
Depending on the design and diagnosis, an appliance may help:
- Reduce direct tooth-to-tooth wear
- Protect dental restorations
- Redistribute bite forces
- Reduce muscle strain in selected cases
- Provide a more stable jaw position during sleep
Over-the-counter guards may not fit evenly and may not be suitable for every bite. A professional evaluation is important before long-term appliance use.
Learn more about custom night guards.
Can Orthodontic or Restorative Treatment Help?
Orthodontic or restorative treatment is not automatically recommended for TMD. However, some patients have missing teeth, severe wear, unstable dental work, or bite changes that contribute to uneven function.
When appropriate, Dr. Savukinas may discuss:
- Orthodontic treatment
- Repair of damaged teeth
- Replacement of failing restorations
- Restorative dentistry
- Management of severe tooth wear
Any irreversible change to the bite should be considered carefully. Conservative options are generally explored first when appropriate.
When a Referral May Be Needed
Some jaw conditions require care beyond the scope of general dental treatment.
Dr. Savukinas may recommend referral when symptoms involve:
- Severe or persistent joint locking
- Major trauma
- Progressive limitation in jaw movement
- Suspected joint degeneration
- Neurologic symptoms
- Unexplained facial pain
- Symptoms that do not improve with conservative care
- Possible surgical needs
Referral may involve an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, physical therapist, physician, or another clinician with relevant expertise.
Small Habit Changes May Reduce Jaw Strain
Daily habits can place repeated pressure on the jaw muscles and joints.
Helpful changes may include:
- Keeping the teeth slightly apart when resting
- Avoiding chewing gum
- Not biting pens, nails, or ice
- Supporting the jaw during a wide yawn
- Avoiding prolonged chewing on one side
- Taking breaks during periods of intense concentration
- Improving head and neck posture
- Using reminders to check for daytime clenching
These changes may not resolve every TMJ problem, but they can reduce unnecessary strain.
Why Experience Matters in TMJ Care
Jaw pain can involve the teeth, bite, joints, muscles, or a combination of these structures. It requires a broader evaluation than simply checking whether the joint clicks.
Dr. Savukinas has completed more than 1,000 TMJ, night guard, and occlusal appliance cases. His 34 years of restorative experience also help him assess tooth wear, damaged restorations, bite changes, and missing teeth that may affect jaw function.
His relevant background includes:
- More than 1,000 TMJ, night guard, and occlusal appliance cases
- 34 years of restorative dentistry experience
- More than 3,000 fillings and restorative cases
- More than 1,000 dental crowns
- More than 1,000 dental bridges
- Extensive continuing education in restorative dentistry and full-mouth rehabilitation
Dr. Savukinas is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and has served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
What is the difference between TMJ and TMD?
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint itself. TMD refers to a disorder involving the joint, surrounding muscles, or jaw function.
What causes TMJ flare-ups?
Symptoms may worsen with clenching, grinding, stress, gum chewing, hard foods, poor posture, jaw overuse, or an injury. The trigger varies from patient to patient.
Can a night guard help TMJ pain?
A custom night guard may help selected patients when grinding, clenching, or uneven bite forces contribute to symptoms. It is not appropriate for every cause of jaw pain, so an evaluation is necessary.
Why does my jaw click when I open my mouth?
Clicking may occur when structures within the joint move during opening and closing. Painless clicking does not always require treatment, but clicking with pain, locking, or limited movement should be evaluated.
Can TMJ problems cause headaches?
Jaw muscle tension and clenching may contribute to headaches in some patients. Headaches have many possible causes, so persistent or severe symptoms may require additional medical evaluation.
Can TMJ symptoms affect the ears or neck?
Some patients report discomfort near the ears or tension in the neck and shoulders. These symptoms may also have other causes, so they should not be assumed to come from the TMJ without an evaluation.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
The timeline depends on the cause, severity, and treatment selected. Some muscle-related symptoms may improve within weeks, while chronic or joint-related conditions may require longer monitoring or specialist care.
Can TMJ problems go away on their own?
Mild symptoms may improve with rest and reduced jaw strain. Persistent pain, locking, limited movement, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated rather than ignored.
When should I seek urgent care for jaw pain?
Seek prompt care after significant trauma, if the jaw is locked, if you cannot open or close your mouth normally, or if pain is accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What areas do you serve?
Dr. Savukinas provides TMJ treatment in Rockville, Maryland, and serves patients from Gaithersburg, Germantown, North Potomac, Potomac, and nearby communities.
Schedule a TMJ Evaluation in Rockville, Maryland
Jaw pain, clicking, clenching, and limited movement may have several possible causes. A focused examination can help determine whether dental treatment, an appliance, habit changes, or referral may be appropriate.
To learn more about TMJ treatment in Rockville, MD, call 301-738-1155 or schedule your consultation online.