TMJ & jaw pain
Clicking, locking, headaches, ear pain. When the joint is the trigger, the rest of the head pays.
Signs your jaw joint may be involved.
TMJ disorders rarely show up as one clean symptom. Many patients we see have been told their jaw is 'fine' even though it's been bothering them for years.
- Jaw pain or tightness, especially in the morning
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when chewing
- Jaw locking. Open, closed, or partially
- Headaches that start at the temples, the back of the head, or behind the eyes
- Ear pain, ringing, or fullness with no infection
- Pain or tension in the neck, shoulders, or face
- Changes in how your teeth fit together
- Limited or painful jaw opening
- If you're experiencing several of these consistently, it's worth a conversation.
How we approach TMJ care.
We pursue the least invasive, non-surgical route that addresses the cause. The work is usually a combination of the options below, sequenced over time.
- 01
Custom oral orthotics
A precisely fit orthotic designed to reposition the jaw, unload the joint, and reduce muscle activity while the joint heals.
- 02
Trigger point therapy
Targeted treatment of muscle knots that may be referring pain into the face, jaw, or head.
- 03
Cold laser therapy
Low-level laser used during visits to support healing in inflamed soft tissue.
- 04
Regenerative injections
Prolotherapy and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) are options for select cases where the joint or surrounding tissue needs more support to heal.
- 05
Posture and habit coaching
Many TMJ patterns are made worse by daytime habits. Clenching, tongue posture, jaw position at a screen. Awareness training is part of the plan.
- 06
Coordination with other providers
When physical therapy, ENT, neurology, or sleep medicine is part of the picture, we coordinate care rather than work in isolation.
Treatment plans are built around what each patient actually needs. Not every option above is right for every person. The consultation and diagnostic visit are where we figure out which ones fit you.
Botulinum toxin for migraines and TMD.
For some patients with chronic migraine or muscle-driven jaw pain, botulinum toxin (commonly known by the brand name Botox) may be an appropriate part of care. It works by easing the overactive muscles that can drive head and jaw pain.
Chronic migraine
Botulinum toxin is an established, FDA-approved option for chronic migraine (roughly 15 or more headache days a month). We coordinate this care alongside your neurologist or physician.
Jaw and facial muscle pain
In select TMD cases, targeted injections may help calm the jaw muscles that contribute to clenching-related tension and pain. Whether it fits is decided case by case.
Botulinum toxin is never a first step. We start with a diagnosis and conservative care, and consider it only when it suits your specific pattern. Whether it is right for you depends on your history and exam.
The diagnostic work that comes first.
A treatment plan is only as good as the diagnosis behind it. These are the tools we use to understand what's happening in your specific joint.
3D CBCT imaging
Cone-beam CT reveals jaw joints, airway, and bone in three dimensions. No outside referral needed.
BioJVA joint analysis
Non-invasive joint vibration analysis records how the TMJ actually moves under load.
Intraoral 3D scanning
Digital impressions produce precise records for custom oral orthotics.
Dr. Larson on TMJ.
Why TMJ is tricky to diagnose
Is jaw clicking a big deal?
The biggest misconception
Common questions
Some TMJ patterns resolve on their own; many do not. Whether a problem will progress depends on the cause, the joint's current condition, and how long it's been going on. The honest answer is that we can't tell without a proper diagnostic visit. That's the first step.
For the great majority of patients we see, no. Surgery is reserved for specific structural problems that don't respond to conservative care. Most plans are some combination of orthotic therapy, soft-tissue work, and behavior change.
The muscles, joints, and nerves of the jaw, head, and neck are deeply connected. A jaw joint under stress can send pain into the temples, behind the eyes, and into the neck. And chronic clenching can drive tension headaches directly.
It varies. Some patients feel meaningful change within weeks of starting orthotic therapy; others have more complex cases that take months of incremental progress. We'll give you a realistic timeline after the diagnostic visit.
Ready to find out what's actually going on?
Tell us a little about what you're experiencing. Our team will be in touch to schedule a consultation.