Sleep Apnea & TMJ Wellness Center

TMJ Specialist

Does your jaw click, pop, or feel tight? Do you wake up with headaches or neck and jaw pain? A temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) affecting your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) might be to blame. 

TMJ and Sleep Solutions of Alabama

TMJ Treatment Center

TMJ is the shortened name of the physical joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. They are the ball and socket joints that allow you to open your mouth to chew, talk, and yawn. The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body, and when it becomes inflamed, it can affect your ability to chew healthy foods and communicate clearly. A disorder of the TMJ is technically called TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, but TMD and TMJ have become interchangeable when referring to the swelling and pain related to the jaw joint.


There are many causes of TMJ pain including nighttime clenching and grinding, arthritis in one or both joints, missing teeth, a misaligned bite or crooked teeth, and injuries to the head and neck.

Symptoms of TMD

Symptoms of a TMJ disorder can vary from patient to patient and may mimic other conditions. The most common symptoms include:


  • Headaches that mimic migraines
  • A dull ache or soreness in the jaw muscles
  • Stiffness that radiates to the neck and back 
  • Ear pressure like the feeling you get when flying 
  • Tightness, clicking or popping in the jaw joint when yawning or eating soft foods
  • The inability to open your mouth all the way
  • Feeling like one tooth is suddenly “out of place” 


Some patients will have all of these symptoms, and some may have one or two.

Symptoms of TMD
TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis and Treatment

While many cases of TMD are misdiagnosed, an exam by Dr. Prabha can generally determine whether your symptoms are a result of a TMJ disorder. A physical examination by placing pressure on the muscles and joints to feel for tightness, a complete evaluation of your bite, and x-rays can help Dr. Prabha figure out the cause of your pain. She may also order an MRI or CT scan to look for signs of joint deterioration that can’t be seen on x-rays.


Once a diagnosis is reached, there are many treatment options available. Splint therapy, physical therapy, Trigger point therapy, prolotherapy are the most common. Hot and cold packs, “swallowing” your yawns, and a temporary soft food diet can also help while your muscles relax and heal. Surgery or disc arthroscopy should be done only in the worst case scenarios. In many cases the discomfort could be treated with out surgery. Treatments are no longer a Night guard followed by surgery.


Dr. Prabha and the team at Prime Smile Dental Care are here to help you. We can answer all your questions and get you out of pain. If you suspect a TMJ disorder is the cause of your discomfort call us today!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Why Does My Jaw Make Noise?

    There are several reasons your jaw may be makng noises. For some it is because they have deterioration of the bone and there are loose bone particles causing a gringing sound. For others it is the sound of their jaw popping in and out of place. To fully understand your jaw noises, an evaluation by a trained professional is necessary.

  • Do TMJ Problems Hurt?

    The vast majority of TMJ problem is accompanied by pain, and in some cased the pain is so severe that the patient cannot eat or speak without sharp pain.

  • Why Is My Jaw Stuck Or Locked?

    If your jaw is locked shut it is likely because the articular disc in your TMj has slipped out of place, and needs to replaced by a medical professional. If your jaw is locked open (which is rare) seek help immediatly.

  • How Do You Diagnose TMJ Problems?

    We hve a very thurough examination by which we diagnoes TMJ issues and determine a treatment strategy specific to each individual patient.

  • My Dentist Took X-Rays Can We Use Them?

    In many cases we can use your dentists X-rays, but in some situations further imaging is needed for a proper diagnosis.

  • What Might Happen If I Do Nothing?

    Very few patients can have a TMJ problem and need no treatment. But for the vast majority of patients if no treatment is done their symptoms will get worse over time and they can cause irreparable damage to their jaw joint, possibly needing total jaw joint replacement surgery down the road.

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