Do I have a problem with my jaw joint?

What symptoms
might I have?

TMJ disorders can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Pain in front of the ear, in the cheek or temple, typically worse with chewing or yawning
• Clicking, popping or grating noises from the joint
• Locking of the jaw, or difficulty opening the mouth fully
• Ear symptoms — earache, fullness or ringing (tinnitus) — often mistaken for an ear infection, as the joint sits directly in front of the ear canal
• Headaches, particularly across the temples and on waking
• Aching facial, jaw and neck muscles, or a sense that the bite has changed

Why do jaw joint
disorders happen?

There is rarely a single cause, with several factors usually combining to overload the joint or its muscles:

Clenching and grinding (bruxism)

Often stress-related and frequently unnoticed; the most common driver of jaw pain.

Disc displacement

The joint’s cushioning disc slips out of position, causing clicking and episodes of locking.

Arthritis

Wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis) or inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Injury or hypermobility

A blow to the jaw, whiplash, prolonged dental treatment, or naturally lax joints.

Less common conditions

Including condylar resorption (progressive change in the shape of the joint) and ankylosis (fusion of the joint).

For most patients, TMD is a muscle-driven condition that responds well to simple treatment — but genuine joint disease needs to be recognised early by a specialist.

What are my
treatment options?

Treatment follows a stepwise approach, beginning with a precise diagnosis from an expert — careful history and examination, with MRI or CT scanning where needed — and the simplest effective measures first. Most patients improve without surgery.

1. 01

   Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatment

   First-line for almost all patients: a softer diet and jaw rest, anti-inflammatory medication, jaw exercises and specialist physiotherapy, and custom bite splints to protect the joint from night-time clenching. Targeted injections — to relax overactive muscles or settle inflammation within the joint — help some patients. The great majority improve substantially with these measures.

2. 02

   Jaw Joint (TMJ) Arthroscopy — Keyhole Surgery

   For pain, restricted opening or if the jaw is persistently getting stuck despite conservative care, arthroscopy is usually the next step: a narrow camera enters the joint through a tiny incision, allowing it to be washed out, adhesions released, inflamed tissue treated and where appropriate, the disc mobilised. It is performed under general anaesthetic, with minimal scarring and rapid recovery. You will be able to go home on the same day.

   TMJ Arthroscopy In Detail Coming soon

   

3. 03

   Open Jaw Joint (TMJ) Surgery

   Reserved for problems that keyhole surgery cannot fully address — repairing or removing a damaged disc, reshaping the joint surfaces, treating recurrent dislocation, or removing cysts — performed through a discreet incision hidden in the natural skin crease in front of the ear.

   Open TMJ Surgery In Detail Coming soon
4. 04

   Total Jaw Joint (TMJ) Replacement

   For severe disease — severe arthritis, ankylosis (fused joint), condylar resorption (shape change affecting the bite or facial appearance) or joints damaged by previous surgery — the joint can be replaced with a custom titanium total joint prosthesis.

   Total TMJ Replacement In Detail Coming soon