The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the small but powerful hinge that connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull, located just in front of your ears on both sides. This joint allows your jaw to move smoothly when you chew, speak, yawn, and swallow.
It’s one of the most used joints in the body—and also one of the most complex. Because the TMJ relies on muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and bones working in harmony, even minor disruptions can lead to pain, tightness, or dysfunction.
When this joint or the surrounding muscles become irritated or misaligned, the result is what’s commonly referred to as TMJ disorder or TMD.
Several factors can lead to TMJ problems, especially when the muscles around the joint are under constant strain. Common contributors include:
Grinding or clenching your teeth—often during sleep—puts excess pressure on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Over time, this leads to inflammation, muscle fatigue, and joint stress.
Emotional stress often manifests physically through tightening of the jaw, shoulders, and neck. Habitual clenching due to stress is a major driver of TMJ discomfort.
When your upper and lower teeth don't align properly, it creates an uneven bite. This causes imbalance and overcompensation in the jaw muscles and joints, leading to chronic pain or joint dysfunction.
Inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can damage the joint itself. Similarly, a jaw injury—such as whiplash, impact trauma, or dislocation—can trigger long-term issues if left untreated.
TMJ symptoms can vary from mild and occasional to severe and daily. Many patients don’t realize their jaw is at the root of their head, neck, or ear pain. Common symptoms include:
Left untreated, TMJ symptoms can worsen over time and affect your ability to eat, speak, sleep, and enjoy everyday life. That’s why early evaluation and non-surgical intervention are so important.
Surgical intervention for TMJ disorder is typically reserved for the most severe cases—where the joint is physically damaged or has degenerated significantly. Even then, TMJ surgery carries risks, such as:
Many patients undergo surgery only to find their symptoms return or worsen over time. That’s why it’s critical to explore conservative, non-surgical options first.
No scalpels. No sutures. No downtime. Our treatments are performed in-office, often in under an hour, with minimal discomfort and no recovery period required.
Non-surgical care is typically much more cost-effective than surgery—and often covered by health insurance, especially when combined with physical therapy or pain management.
Because there’s no cutting or altering of the joint itself, the risk of infection, scarring, or nerve damage is extremely low.
Most TMJ disorders are caused by muscle overuse, tension, or misalignment—not structural joint damage. Treatments like Botox injections, physical therapy, and oral appliances target these issues directly and can provide lasting relief without surgery.
The goal of non-surgical treatment isn’t just to stop the pain—it’s to restore balance and function to your jaw and surrounding muscles. Our team takes a holistic approach, treating not just the symptoms but the underlying causes of your TMJ disorder.
With the right plan in place, you can:
Botox isn’t just for cosmetic use—it’s also an FDA-approved therapeutic agent that works wonders for muscle-driven TMJ disorders. When injected into specific jaw muscles, Botox helps reduce tension, clenching, and overuse, allowing the joint to heal and function more naturally.
Botox is performed as an in-office procedure, typically taking 10–20 minutes, with no downtime and minimal discomfort. Most patients begin noticing relief within 3 to 5 days, with results lasting 3 to 6 months.
Physical therapy is one of the most effective long-term solutions for TMJ disorders—especially when paired with myofascial release, a hands-on technique that targets tight connective tissues around the jaw, neck, and shoulders.
Treatment may include:
Our physical therapists work closely with Medici’s physicians to create a cohesive, custom plan designed to restore comfort and improve quality of life—without surgery or drugs.
While our goal at Medici is to keep treatments as natural and minimally drug-dependent as possible, there are times when short-term medications can play a helpful role in relieving acute TMJ symptoms.
Our approach is always conservative and carefully monitored, focusing on medications that:
We use non-opioid options and tailor each prescription to the individual, ensuring the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration.
Many TMJ issues are triggered or worsened by stress. Whether it’s subconscious jaw clenching during the workday or nighttime teeth grinding while you sleep, stress can lead to chronic muscle tension and flare-ups.
At Medici, we take a whole-person approach to care by helping patients:
This kind of coaching supports your physical treatments and promotes long-term relief.
Custom oral appliances are a simple yet highly effective tool in protecting your TMJ—especially while you sleep, when teeth grinding and jaw clenching are most common.
Our nightguards are:
By minimizing nighttime strain, nightguards allow your jaw to rest and recover while you sleep—one of the most overlooked aspects of TMJ care.
TMJ disorder doesn’t just affect your jaw—it affects your entire quality of life. From daily discomfort and disrupted sleep to difficulty chewing or speaking, the impact can be exhausting. But here’s the good news: you don’t need surgery to find real, lasting relief.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine in Marietta, we offer safe, proven, and personalized non-surgical treatments that target the root cause of your symptoms—whether it’s muscle tension, stress, bite misalignment, or inflammation. Our approach is gentle but effective, combining therapies like Botox injections, physical therapy, oral appliances, and stress management to help you heal naturally.
The sooner TMJ is addressed, the easier it is to manage—and the less likely it is to cause long-term joint damage or chronic pain. If you've been putting off care or are frustrated by short-term fixes, we're here to help you take the next step forward.
📍 Visit our Marietta clinic at:
792 Church Street, Unit 101, Marietta, GA 30060
📞 Call +1-844-328-4624
🔗 Schedule your TMJ consultation today
At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
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