Jaw clicking, aching in front of the ear or a jaw that catches as it opens are very common, and most episodes settle with simple, reversible care rather than surgery. A large review estimated that roughly three in ten adults have some form of temporomandibular joint disorder, although many have mild symptoms and never seek treatment. When care is needed, it usually starts with self-care and an examination, and a night-time splint may be suggested.
A busy joint with a small cushioning disc
Each temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sits just in front of the ear, where the lower jaw meets the skull. It hinges and slides every time you talk, chew, swallow or yawn. A small disc of cartilage sits between the bones, and the chewing muscles control the movement. Temporomandibular disorders, often shortened to TMD, describe problems with the joint, the disc, the muscles or a combination.
A 2021 systematic review of 21 studies put the overall prevalence of TMJ disorders at about 31% in adults and older people and about 11% in children and adolescents. The most common finding was a disc that slips forward and clicks back into place as the mouth opens (Valesan and colleagues, Clinical Oral Investigations, 2021).
Signs that point to the jaw
- A dull ache in front of one or both ears that may spread to the cheek, temple or neck
- Pain when chewing, biting into firm food or yawning
- Clicking, popping or grating as the mouth opens or closes
- A jaw that catches or locks partway
- Headaches around the temples
- Jaw muscles that feel tight or tired, often on waking
- A bite that suddenly feels different
A click with no pain and normal opening is common and often needs nothing more than monitoring. Pain, locking or reduced opening are more reason to have it checked.
Several factors usually add up
There is seldom one single cause. Clenching or grinding, particularly during stressful periods or poor sleep, keeps the jaw muscles working when they should be resting. An injury to the jaw, or holding the mouth open for a long time, can strain the joint and muscles. Arthritis can affect the TMJ as it does other joints. Habits such as chewing gum for long periods, biting nails or chewing pens add load as well.
Clenching and grinding often go hand in hand with jaw pain, and our articles on bruxism and cracked tooth syndrome cover the effects on the teeth.
What happens at an assessment
The dentist asks when the pain started, what makes it better or worse and if you clench or grind. The examination includes feeling the joints and chewing muscles for tenderness, listening for clicks, measuring how far the mouth opens and watching whether the jaw moves to one side. The teeth are checked for wear, cracks or a filling that sits high.
An OPG (panoramic X-ray) may be taken to look at the joints and rule out other causes. If symptoms are unusual or not improving, a 3D X-ray or referral for an MRI may be considered.
Treatment usually starts simple and reversible
Self-care. Softer foods cut into small pieces, avoiding wide yawns, warm compresses on sore muscles and stopping gum chewing are common first steps. Resting the jaw with the lips together and teeth slightly apart reminds the muscles to relax, and noticing daytime clenching, for example while driving or at a screen, helps too.
Pain relief and physiotherapy. Over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed may help during a flare. A physiotherapist with an interest in the jaw can teach exercises and work on the neck and posture.
Occlusal splints. A custom splint is a hard plastic appliance usually worn at night. The evidence is mixed. A 2026 overview of 21 systematic reviews found that most reported small benefits or no clear difference compared with other treatments (Sorbo and colleagues, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2026). A 2024 Cochrane review found that a full-coverage hard splint may reduce muscle pain when chewing compared with no treatment, but rated the evidence as very uncertain (Singh and colleagues, 2024). Splints also protect the teeth from grinding, which is a separate reason they are often recommended. Our night guard guide explains the types.
Adjusting the bite. Permanently reshaping the teeth to change the bite has not been shown to help TMD. The same Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about occlusal interventions, so irreversible bite changes are generally avoided. Smoothing a single new filling that sits high is a different matter.
Other options. Muscle-relaxing injections into the chewing muscles are sometimes used by doctors or dentists for severe muscle-related pain, alongside other care. Surgery by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is reserved for a small number of people with structural problems inside the joint that have not responded to conservative treatment.
What treatment typically costs
Costs depend on what is needed, and most people start with low-cost self-care. As reference points:
- A check-up and clean is typically $200 to $400 as a market range.
- The Transport Accident Commission's dental fee schedule (Victoria, effective 1 July 2025) lists item 965, occlusal splint, at $752.37 for a general dentist, and item 966, adjustment of an existing splint, at $107.16 per visit. These are TAC scheduled fees, not Lumi fees, but give a guide to the cost of a custom splint.
Physiotherapy, imaging and specialist care are charged separately. Private health extras with dental cover may contribute to a splint; check your policy and waiting periods with your fund. Lumi does not publish its fees in blog posts; see the current deals page for current offers.
When to see someone sooner
Book an assessment if jaw pain lasts more than two or three weeks, keeps returning or disturbs your sleep, or if the jaw locks or your bite changes. See a doctor promptly if jaw pain follows a head injury, or comes with facial weakness, changes in vision or a severe new headache. Jaw pain together with chest pain or breathlessness needs urgent medical care.
Questions we are often asked
Will TMJ pain go away on its own?
Many flares settle with self-care, particularly when there is a clear trigger such as a stressful period or a long dental appointment. Pain that keeps coming back is worth assessing.
Is a pharmacy mouthguard a substitute for a splint?
Boil-and-bite guards are designed for sport and are bulkier and less precise than a custom splint. If you clench or grind, a dentist can advise whether a custom splint suits you.
Does Medicare cover TMJ treatment?
Medicare does not usually cover dental treatment for adults. Treatment by a medical specialist may attract Medicare or health fund rebates; ask the specialist's rooms about costs before treatment.
If jaw pain or clicking has been bothering you, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park can examine the joint, muscles and teeth and talk through options, starting with the simplest. If a splint is recommended, you will usually receive a written treatment plan, often by email. See the current deals page to book a new patient visit.
