OCCLUSION & TMJ DISORDERS

Recognizing TMJ Symptoms

  • Do you wake up every morning with muscle pain or stiffness in your jaw, neck, head and even your shoulders?
  • Do you have pain when your jaw joint is clicking, popping or grating while opening and closing your mouth?
  • Do you feel pain in your ear or pressure inside it?
  • Do you have limited movement in your jaw?
  • Does your jaw ever get stuck or locked as you open it?

Yes?

If you answer “yes” to some of these questions, you may have a “Temporomandibular Joint Disorder” commonly known as “TMJ Disorder”.
TMJDs are a set of clinical conditions characterized by a limitation in jaw movement and a pain in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues.

TMJ pain results most of the times from injuries, although in some cases, the symptoms can start without any obvious reason.
If your jaw suddenly blocks, whether your mouth is opened or closed, please make sure to reach us immediately in order to treat the problem in the shortest time.

Dr. Jeff Khoury has an extensive experience in treating people with TMJ problems. He works with several physiotherapist and chiropractors to give you a full body healing approach.

TMJ Problems – FAQ? We’ve got you covered.

At Khoury Dental Clinic, Dr. Jeff Khoury performs a comprehensive diagnostic protocol to pinpoint the exact cause of your jaw pain. This includes a full clinical examination of your bite and jaw movement, supported by digital dental X-rays or panoramic radiographs. In more complex cases, we utilize high-resolution 3D CT scans or MRI imaging to evaluate the structural integrity of the jaw joint. Early and precise diagnosis is critical to preventing chronic pain and long-term joint damage.

At our Beirut clinic, we focus on highly effective, non-invasive TMJ treatment plans customized to your specific needs. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include custom-fabricated dental nightguards or TMJ splints to reduce teeth grinding (bruxism) and stabilize the bite. We also incorporate physical therapy instructions, prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants, and collaborate closely with expert physiotherapists and chiropractors to provide a full-body healing approach before ever considering advanced joint surgery.

In very mild, temporary cases, TMJ pain may resolve on its own through jaw rest, soft food diets, and stress relaxation. However, if the underlying cause is an occlusal (bite) misalignment or chronic teeth grinding, untreated TMJ dysfunction will progressively worsen. Ignoring the symptoms often leads to chronic headaches, severe facial pain, permanent cartilage damage in the jaw joint, and severely worn or fractured teeth.

Yes, because the temporomandibular joint is located directly adjacent to the ear canal, TMJ inflammation often causes ear pressure, unexplained ear pain, dizziness, or tinnitus (ringing). These symptoms frequently occur without any actual ear infection.

🛑 Important Note: While treating jaw misalignment can significantly improve ear pressure and tinnitus, they are not always the primary cause. Tinnitus or dizziness can sometimes stem from deeper neurological or inner ear issues. Dr. Jeff Khoury focuses on resolving the dental and jaw-related origins of your symptoms while guiding you toward trusted ENT specialists or neurologists if multidisciplinary care is required.

You should schedule a consultation at Khoury Dental Clinic immediately if you experience a jaw that gets stuck or locks open/closed, persistent clicking or popping noises when you chew, or severe limitations in opening your mouth. Other critical warning signs include chronic morning headaches (especially around your temples), unexplained earaches, and flattened or broken teeth caused by nighttime grinding.

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