Find Relief From Jaw Pain, Clicking and Discomfort
Jaw pain, frequent headaches, clicking when you chew or difficulty opening your mouth can make everyday activities uncomfortable. These symptoms may be associated with a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a condition affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae, DDS, and Dr. Maggie Sharfae, DDS, provide personalized TMJ treatment in Austin, TX, to help patients manage jaw discomfort, improve function and protect their oral health.
Both dentists have treated TMJ-related concerns and provided occlusal appliances since approximately 2006. Their approach focuses on identifying possible causes of your symptoms and recommending conservative, individualized care.
Experiencing persistent jaw pain or clicking? Call 512-301-9002 today to schedule a TMJ evaluation at our Austin dental office.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. These joints work with the surrounding muscles to help you chew, speak, swallow and open your mouth.
Temporomandibular disorders, commonly called TMD or TMJ disorders, are conditions affecting the jaw joints, chewing muscles or related structures.
TMJ disorders can cause pain, restricted movement and difficulty performing normal jaw functions. Symptoms may come and go or persist over time.
Potential contributing factors include:
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Jaw injuries or trauma
- Arthritis affecting the jaw joints
- Muscle tension and overuse
- Problems involving the joint’s internal disc
- Stress that contributes to jaw clenching
In many cases, there is no single identifiable cause. Although bite problems are sometimes discussed in connection with TMJ symptoms, an uneven bite is not established as a common direct cause of TMD.
An accurate evaluation helps determine which treatments may be appropriate for your particular symptoms.
Common Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can affect the jaw joints, surrounding muscles and nearby areas of the face and head.
Common symptoms include:
- Jaw pain or tenderness: Discomfort near the ears, jaw joints or chewing muscles.
- Clicking or popping: Sounds when opening, closing or moving the jaw.
- Difficulty chewing: Pain or fatigue while eating, especially when chewing tougher foods.
- Limited jaw movement: Difficulty opening your mouth fully or moving your jaw comfortably.
- Jaw locking: Episodes when the jaw becomes temporarily stuck in an open or closed position.
- Headaches: Certain TMD conditions can contribute to headaches associated with jaw muscle tension or movement.
- Facial or ear-area discomfort: Pain that may be felt around the cheeks, temples or ears.
- Changes in jaw movement: A sensation that the jaw moves unevenly or shifts during opening.
Not every clicking jaw indicates a disorder. Painless joint sounds are common and often do not require treatment.
However, persistent pain, restricted movement or difficulty eating should be evaluated.
How Our Dentists Evaluate TMJ Pain
TMJ treatment begins with understanding your symptoms and determining whether they originate from the jaw joints, surrounding muscles or another condition.
During your appointment, our dentists may:
- Review your symptoms and medical history
- Discuss when your jaw pain started and what makes it worse
- Evaluate jaw opening, closing and side-to-side movement
- Check for tenderness in the jaw joints and chewing muscles
- Assess joint sounds and movement limitations
- Examine your teeth for signs of grinding or excessive wear
- Evaluate your bite and overall oral health
Additional imaging may be recommended when clinically appropriate.
Our practice has used CBCT 3D imaging technology for more than 10 years. CBCT can help evaluate certain bony structures of the jaw joints, but it does not provide the same information about the joint disc and other soft tissues as MRI.
Not every patient needs advanced imaging. Our dentists determine whether additional evaluation or referral is necessary based on your symptoms and examination findings.
TMJ Treatment Options in Austin, TX
Treatment depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. Many TMJ disorders improve with conservative, reversible approaches that do not permanently change the teeth or jaw.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, we focus on managing discomfort, supporting normal jaw function and avoiding unnecessary procedures.
Custom Night Guards and Occlusal Appliances
If teeth grinding or clenching contributes to your symptoms, a custom dental appliance may be recommended.
Night guards can help protect teeth from excessive wear and may reduce symptoms for some patients with TMD.
These appliances are designed to fit your teeth and are selected according to your specific dental needs.
However, night guards do not cure every TMJ disorder, and their effectiveness for jaw pain varies depending on the underlying condition.
Jaw Exercises and Muscle Relaxation
Certain gentle jaw exercises may help improve movement and reduce muscle tension.
Your dentist may recommend appropriate exercises or refer you to a healthcare professional experienced in managing jaw disorders.
Exercises should be selected based on your symptoms rather than performed aggressively, particularly if your jaw locks or movement is painful.
Reducing Jaw Strain
Small changes in daily habits can help some patients manage TMJ discomfort.
Recommendations may include:
- Temporarily choosing softer foods during painful flare-ups
- Avoiding chewing gum or repeatedly chewing hard foods
- Limiting excessive jaw opening
- Reducing daytime clenching
- Using appropriate warm or cold compresses
- Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension
These measures may help reduce symptoms while your jaw recovers.
Additional Care or Specialist Referrals
Some patients benefit from physical therapy, medical evaluation or treatment by a clinician with additional experience managing complex or persistent TMD.
Our dentists may recommend referral when symptoms do not improve, joint movement is significantly restricted or the condition requires specialized assessment.
Irreversible procedures, including permanent bite changes or extensive restorative treatment, are not routinely recommended solely to treat TMJ disorders.
Can Teeth Grinding Cause TMJ Pain?
Teeth grinding and clenching, also called bruxism, can place additional demands on the chewing muscles and may contribute to jaw soreness or headaches.
However, not everyone who grinds their teeth develops a TMJ disorder, and not every patient with TMD grinds or clenches.
Signs of bruxism may include:
- Flattened or worn tooth surfaces
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Jaw muscle soreness upon waking
- Morning headaches
- Reports of grinding sounds during sleep
If grinding is damaging your teeth, a custom night guard may help protect them.
Our dentists can evaluate whether bruxism may be contributing to your symptoms and recommend appropriate care.
When Should You See a Dentist for TMJ Symptoms?
Occasional, painless jaw clicking does not necessarily require treatment.
Schedule an evaluation if you experience:
- Jaw pain that persists or repeatedly returns
- Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth
- Jaw locking or restricted movement
- Recurring headaches associated with jaw discomfort
- Increasing tenderness around the jaw joints
- Tooth damage associated with grinding or clenching
Sudden inability to close your mouth, significant facial trauma, severe swelling or signs of serious infection require urgent medical or dental evaluation.
Because jaw pain and headaches can have causes unrelated to TMD, an examination is important before beginning treatment.
Why Choose Our Austin Dentists for TMJ Treatment?
TMJ disorders can be complex, and successful management begins with careful evaluation rather than assuming every patient needs the same appliance or treatment.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae combine extensive general dental experience with approximately two decades of treating TMJ-related concerns and providing occlusal appliances.
Dr. Maggie Sharfae, DDS
Dr. Maggie Sharfae graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School in 1999.
She completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis from 1999 to 2000.
She has provided restorative dentistry and TMJ-related care for many years, including evaluation of jaw concerns and the use of dental appliances when appropriate.
She also taught clinical dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry for two years.
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae, DDS
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2001 and has practiced dentistry since that year.
His experience includes restorative dentistry, full-mouth rehabilitation and treatment of TMJ-related concerns.
He also taught preclinical and clinical dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry for two years.
Both dentists are members of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and Capital Area Dental Society.
Our privately owned practice emphasizes continuity of care, careful listening and personalized treatment recommendations.
We focus on understanding how your symptoms affect your daily life and developing an appropriate plan based on your examination findings.
TMJ Treatment in Oak Hill and Southwest Austin
Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill provides TMJ evaluations and dental care for patients in Austin, Oak Hill, Southwest Austin and surrounding communities.
Whether you are experiencing jaw clicking, muscle soreness, teeth grinding or difficulty chewing, our dentists can help determine whether your symptoms may be associated with a temporomandibular disorder.
Depending on your needs, we may also recommend related services such as:
- Custom night guards for protecting teeth affected by grinding or clenching
- General and Family Dentistry for comprehensive oral health evaluations
- Restorative Dentistry for teeth damaged by excessive wear or fractures
Our goal is to help you understand your symptoms and identify appropriate ways to manage discomfort while protecting your oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
What is the difference between TMJ and TMD?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the joint connecting your lower jaw to your skull. TMD refers to temporomandibular disorders, which affect the jaw joints, chewing muscles or related structures. People commonly use “TMJ” to describe both the joint and the disorder.
What is the best treatment for TMJ pain?
The best treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Conservative approaches such as jaw exercises, reducing jaw strain, physical therapy and selected oral appliances may help. An examination is necessary to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Can TMJ disorders cause headaches?
Yes. Certain TMJ disorders can contribute to headaches associated with jaw muscle tension or movement. However, headaches have many possible causes, so an evaluation is important before assuming TMD is responsible.
Why does my jaw click or pop when I chew?
Jaw clicking may occur when structures within the temporomandibular joint move during opening and closing. Painless clicking is common and does not always require treatment. Clicking accompanied by pain, locking or limited movement should be evaluated.
Can a night guard help with TMJ pain?
A custom night guard or occlusal appliance may help selected patients, particularly when teeth grinding or clenching contributes to symptoms. Night guards can also protect teeth from wear. Their effectiveness for TMJ pain varies depending on the condition.
Can TMJ disorders go away on their own?
Some TMJ symptoms improve with time and conservative self-care. Others persist or recur. If pain interferes with eating, speaking or normal jaw movement, schedule an evaluation to determine whether treatment is needed.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
Treatment duration depends on the underlying condition, symptom severity and response to care. Some patients improve within weeks, while others require longer-term management or additional evaluation. Our dentists will discuss expectations based on your individual findings.
Do I need a TMJ specialist?
Many TMJ concerns can be initially evaluated by a general dentist experienced with jaw disorders. More complex, persistent or severe cases may require referral to an orofacial pain specialist or another qualified healthcare professional.
Where can I get TMJ treatment in Austin, TX?
Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill provides TMJ evaluations and conservative treatment options for patients in Austin, Oak Hill and Southwest Austin. Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae have treated TMJ-related concerns and provided occlusal appliances since approximately 2006.
Take the First Step Toward Managing Your Jaw Pain
Persistent jaw pain, headaches or difficulty chewing can affect your comfort and daily activities. A professional evaluation can help determine whether a TMJ disorder is contributing to your symptoms and which treatment options may be appropriate.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae provide individualized TMJ care focused on conservative treatment, patient education and long-term oral health.
Ready to discuss your jaw pain? Call 512-301-9002 today to schedule your TMJ consultation in Austin, Texas.