If you're dealing with chronic jaw pain, hear frequent clicking or popping sounds, or feel like your jaw just doesn’t move like it used to, you’re not imagining things.

At Englewood Oral Surgery, we meet with patients from all over New Jersey and the greater New York area who are quietly suffering from what’s commonly known as TMJ disorder.

This blog is for you. Whether you’ve just started noticing symptoms or have been living with jaw discomfort for years, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about TMJ disorders, including what they are, what causes them, how we treat them, and how you can finally get relief.

First Things First: What Is TMJ?

Let’s start with the basics.
“TMJ” stands for Temporomandibular Joint, the small but powerful joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have one on each side of your jaw, and these joints are responsible for allowing you to chew, speak, yawn, and move your mouth in different directions.

When something goes wrong with this joint, we call it TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder, but most people just call it “TMJ.”

So... What Does TMJ Disorder Feel Like?

TMJ disorders can feel very different from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms, while others find it interferes with everyday life.

Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms we hear from our TMJ patients:

• Chronic jaw pain or tightness

• Clicking, popping, or grinding noises when opening or closing the mouth

• Jaw locking (can’t open or close your mouth fully)

• Pain while chewing or biting

• Uneven wear on teeth

• Frequent headaches or migraines

• Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Neck, shoulder, or facial muscle tension

Do any of these sound familiar? If so, your jaw joint may be under more stress than it should be.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

There’s no single cause of TMJ issues; it’s often a mix of factors. At Englewood Oral Surgery, we take the time to get to the root cause of your symptoms.

Here are some common causes of TMJ disorders:

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) – especially at night

• Jaw misalignment or bite issues – when your teeth don’t come together properly

• Injury or trauma – such as a hit to the jaw or whiplash

• Arthritis – inflammation in the jaw joint

• Stress – which can lead to muscle tension and jaw clenching

• Poor posture – especially forward head posture from phone/laptop use

In many cases, patients don’t even realize they grind or clench their teeth. That’s one of the first things we evaluate when you come in.

How Do We Diagnose TMJ Disorders?

We believe in customized care because no two patients’ TMJ issues are the same. So at Englewood Oral Surgery, we begin with a comprehensive evaluation:

1. Medical and dental history review

2. Discussion of symptoms - when they started, what triggers them

3. Physical exam - we’ll check your jaw’s range of motion, listen for joint noises, and feel for muscle tightness

4. Imaging - such as 3D cone-beam CT scans or panoramic X-rays to view joint anatomy

From there, we can determine whether your symptoms are coming from the joint itself, the surrounding muscles, your bite, or a combination.

Treatment Options for TMJ at Englewood Oral Surgery

TMJ disorders are very treatable. Most of our patients find significant relief without needing surgery. We offer a full range of non-surgical and surgical options, depending on the severity of your condition.

Let’s walk through the options together.

1. Custom Nightguards & Bite Splints

One of the most common (and effective) treatments for TMJ pain is a custom nightguard, also called an occlusal splint. These are not the same as store-bought mouthguards!

Our custom appliances:

• Protect your teeth from grinding/clenching damage

• Reduce pressure on the TMJ

• Relax overworked jaw muscles

• Help realign your bite slightly while you sleep

These are often the first line of treatment, and many patients see relief within weeks.

2. TMJ Physical Therapy & Exercises

We work closely with trusted TMJ-trained physical therapists who focus on:

• Jaw mobility exercises

• Muscle relaxation techniques

• Posture correction

• Manual therapy to release tension in the head, neck, and jaw

We may also guide you through home exercises you can do between visits.

3. Medications

In some cases, we may recommend short-term medications to support your recovery, such as:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Muscle relaxants

• Medications for nerve pain or sleep support (if applicable)

These aren’t long-term fixes, but they can help reduce inflammation and give your joint time to heal.

4. Stress Management Techniques

You’d be surprised how closely stress and TMJ pain are connected. If you're clenching during work meetings or grinding while you sleep, we’ll help you develop techniques like:

• Breathing exercises

• Meditation and mindfulness

• Sleep hygiene tips

• Biofeedback (in some cases)

We treat you as a whole person, not just your jaw.

5. Orthodontic or Bite Correction

If your TMJ pain is being caused by a misaligned bite, we may recommend orthodontic treatment to bring your teeth into proper position. This could be done in collaboration with your orthodontist.

In some cases, a misaligned bite may even require corrective jaw surgery, but this is typically reserved for severe cases after all conservative options have been explored.

6. Minimally Invasive TMJ Procedures

If conservative therapies don’t help, we may recommend minimally invasive procedures like:

• Arthrocentesis – flushing out the joint with sterile fluid to remove inflammation
  

• Corticosteroid injections – to reduce joint swelling
  

• Botox for TMJ – to relax overactive muscles and reduce clenching pain (yes, it works!)

These are done in-office and often provide lasting relief for stubborn TMJ cases.

7. Surgical TMJ Treatment (Only When Necessary)

Surgery is rarely needed for TMJ disorders, but if your joint is severely damaged, has arthritis, or other structural problems, Dr. Kessler may recommend surgical options such as:

• TMJ arthroscopy

• Open joint surgery

• Total joint replacement (in extreme cases)

As a dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Kessler is specially trained to perform complex TMJ surgeries safely and effectively, right here in New Jersey.

What Happens If You Ignore TMJ Symptoms?

It’s easy to put off care, especially if the pain comes and goes. But ignoring TMJ symptoms can lead to:

• Chronic headaches and migraines

• Worsening bite issues

• Cracked or worn-down teeth

• Increased joint damage

• Difficulty opening your mouth fully

• Interrupted sleep from jaw tension

The longer you wait, the harder it can be to reverse damage. Early TMJ treatment = better results.

Why Choose Englewood Oral Surgery for TMJ Treatment?

Here’s what makes us different:

Experienced Team: Dr. David Kessler has over 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating TMJ conditions ranging from mild to severe.

Comprehensive Approach: We don’t just hand you a nightguard and send you home. We work with you to uncover the cause, tailor your treatment, and support your long-term relief.

Advanced Imaging: Our on-site 3D scanning helps us spot joint damage, arthritis, and bite imbalances quickly and clearly.

Non-Surgical Focus: Surgery is always our last resort. We offer many proven, conservative therapies before considering any invasive options.

Trusted by Orthodontists & Dentists Across NJ/NY: We regularly receive referrals from general dentists, orthodontists, and physical therapists who trust us to care for their patients.

What’s the Next Step?

If you’re dealing with ongoing jaw pain, clicking, or limited movement, don’t wait until it gets worse. Book Your TMJ Consultation Now or call us at (201) 374-7810 to find out what’s really going on and create a personalized plan to help you feel better fast.