Temporomandibular Joint Pain

The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw (mandible) to your skull, just in front of your ears. It allows you to talk, chew, and open/close your mouth.

Common Symptoms

  • Jaw pain or tenderness
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
  • Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
  • Jaw locking (open or closed)
  • Ear pain or fullness (without infection)
  • Headaches (especially around temples)
  • Facial pain or muscle tightness

Causes

TMD is usually multifactorial:

  • Jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism)
  • Stress → muscle tension
  • Arthritis (e.g., Osteoarthritis)
  • Injury or trauma to the jaw
  • Disc displacement inside the joint
  • Poor bite alignment

Diagnosis

  • Examine jaw movement and tenderness
  • Listen for joint sounds
  • Order imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI if needed)

Treatment Options

Conservative (first-line)

  • Soft diet (avoid chewing gum, hard foods)
  • Warm compresses or ice
  • Jaw exercises / physical therapy
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Mouth guard (night guard for grinding)


Medications

  • NSAIDs like Ibuprofen
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Occasionally short-term anti-anxiety meds


Advanced Treatments

  • Trigger point injections
  • Botox for severe muscle spasm
  • Arthrocentesis (joint flushing)
  • Surgery (rare, only in severe structural cases)


Find Relief from TMJ Pain in Orlando

Chronic TMJ pain can severely limit your lifestyle. At Nona Spine and Pain Institute, we provide TMJ pain treatments tailored to your condition, helping you reduce pain, restore jaw movements, and regain confidence in movement.

Schedule a consultation today to determine whether TMJ treatment is right for you.