The temporomandibular joint is the hinge in front of each ear. Pain there, clicking, locking, or aching in the muscles around it are grouped under TMD — and they have more than one cause, which is why the assessment matters more than the label.
What happens on the day
- A history: when it started, what makes it worse, whether you grind or clench, how you sleep.
- Examination of the joint, the muscles around it and the way your teeth meet.
- An explanation of the likely contributors in your case.
- A management plan that starts with the reversible options — load reduction, heat, soft diet, exercises, and an appliance where it is indicated.
What it will cost
No fee for this treatment appears on this site, because the practice has not published one and inventing a number would be worse than leaving it out. What you can ask for is a written estimate with procedure codes before anything starts — how that works.
Common questions
My jaw clicks but does not hurt. Is that a problem?
Painless clicking is common and often needs nothing but monitoring. Pain, locking, or a change in how far you can open are the signals worth acting on.
Will a night guard fix it?
It may reduce the load if grinding is a contributor. It is protection and load management, not a cure, and it is not the answer in every case.
Should anything irreversible be done first?
No. Reversible management comes first, and any suggestion of permanently altering your bite early on is worth a second opinion.
How long does it take to settle?
Often weeks rather than days, and it can fluctuate. Stress, sleep and clenching all move the needle, which is why the plan usually involves more than the dentist.