Do I need a splint or night guard?

Sometimes, but not always, and rarely on its own. Splints protect teeth and can reduce clenching load; they do not restore joint movement or muscle control. Where one is indicated we coordinate directly with your dentist.

Is the clicking dangerous?

Painless clicking on its own is common and often does not need treatment. Clicking with pain, locking or reducing opening does warrant assessment, because those signs suggest the disc and joint mechanics need attention.

Does treatment involve working inside the mouth?

Some techniques are intra-oral and they are among the most effective for masticatory muscle pain. We explain exactly what is involved and only proceed with your explicit consent, using gloves throughout.

TMJ & jaw disorder physiotherapy in Dublin

You load your jaw every time you eat, speak, swallow or clench. TMJ disorders can involve the joint, its disc, the muscles that move it and the nerves supplying it — and because the jaw and upper neck are connected, we assess both.

Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ/TMD)
Clicking, popping and crepitus
Jaw locking, open and closed
Bruxism and daytime clenching
Post-orthodontic and post-dental jaw pain
Masticatory muscle pain and tension

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Symptoms

Common symptoms

Pain in front of the ear

Ache or sharp pain over the joint, often worse with chewing tougher foods or after a long conversation.

Clicking or locking

Noise on opening or closing, or episodes where the jaw catches and won't open fully.

Morning tightness and headache

Waking with a tired, tight jaw and temple headache — a classic pattern with night-time clenching.

Ear symptoms with no infection

Fullness, mild tinnitus or earache that ENT investigation has already cleared.

Treatment

How physiotherapy may help

Manual therapy for the joint and muscles

Joint mobilisation, trigger-point and soft-tissue release for the masticatory muscles, including intra-oral techniques when appropriate.

Jaw control exercise

Graded opening, coordination and stabilisation work to restore smooth, symmetrical movement.

Habit and load reduction

Awareness training for clenching, plus practical changes to diet consistency, posture and sleep position.

Dental and maxillofacial collaboration

Joint working with your dentist or specialist on splint therapy and onward imaging when it is genuinely needed.

Your assessment

What the 60-90 minutes covers

01Measurement of jaw opening, deviation and joint noise through range
02Palpation and load testing of the joint, masseter, temporalis and pterygoids
03Intra-oral assessment where indicated and consented
04Upper cervical spine examination, because neck referral mimics TMD closely
05Screening of sleep, stress and clenching habits that drive recurrence

What contributes to it

Disc displacement with or without reduction inside the joint
Overactive masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles
Bruxism and sustained clenching, often stress- or sleep-related
Upper cervical dysfunction referring pain into the jaw and face
Prolonged dental work, wisdom-tooth extraction or orthodontic change
Habitual asymmetric loading — chewing gum, nail biting, one-sided chewing

Questions

TMJ & jaw disorders, answered

Related conditions

Get a clear diagnosis for your tmj & jaw disorders.

60-90 minute assessment in 232 Harold's Cross Rd, Harold's Cross, Dublin, D6WN923.

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