Complex issues
TMJ issues
Diagnosis and management of jaw joint pain, clicking, headaches and bite dysfunction — assessed with digital bite analysis before any treatment begins.
TMJ care at a glance
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. Dysfunction here causes pain, clicking, limited opening, headaches, and referred pain — many cases are mismanaged when bite forces are not measured objectively.
At This Is It Dental we assess TMJ cases with Tekscan digital bite analysis before recommending treatment — so we understand your bite forces and contact pattern objectively, not just by feel. This changes what we recommend.
Most TMJ cases are managed conservatively first — with an occlusal splint, physiotherapy referral, or bite adjustment. We don't default to irreversible treatment until a clear diagnosis is established.
Quick overview
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull. Dysfunction here causes pain, clicking, limited mouth opening, headaches, and referred pain in the neck, ear and face.
Who is affected?
Adults with jaw pain, clicking or locking, chronic headaches or migraines with no clear cause, teeth grinding, or a bite that feels uneven or has recently changed.
Management options
Conservative options — splints, bite adjustment, physiotherapy — are tried before any irreversible treatment. Surgery is a last resort and rarely needed.
Why seek TMJ care here?
Objective diagnosis
Digital bite analysis gives measurable data, not guesswork.
Conservative first
We try reversible options before recommending anything permanent.
Headache and pain relief
Many patients see significant reduction in symptoms with an occlusal splint alone.
Your TMJ journey
TMJ assessment and initial treatment typically span four to eight weeks from first appointment.
- 1 First appointment
Clinical assessment & Tekscan
We examine your jaw joint, muscles and bite, and record digital bite forces using Tekscan to establish an objective baseline.
- 2 After assessment
Written diagnosis & plan
We explain our findings clearly — what's causing your symptoms, what we recommend, and what we're not recommending and why.
- 3 If splint indicated · 1–2 weeks
Splint fabrication & fitting
A custom hard occlusal splint is made from impressions and fitted — worn at night to decompress the joint.
- 4 6–8 weeks later
Review & adjustment
Symptoms, bite and joint comfort are reassessed; the splint is adjusted or the management plan updated based on your response.
Hi there 👋 — send a short message about your treatment question and we'll reply on WhatsApp as soon as we can.
Pricing
TMJ assessment includes Tekscan analysis. Splint and follow-up fees are quoted separately.
- TMJ assessment & Tekscan analysis £295
- Hard occlusal splint £450
- Splint review & adjustment £95
- Tekscan rescan (stand-alone) £150
- Soft night guard (mild grinding only) £250
Frequently asked questions
Is TMJ the same as teeth grinding?
Related but not the same — grinding (bruxism) can cause or worsen TMJ problems, but TMJ dysfunction has multiple causes that we assess individually.
Will a splint fix it permanently?
Splints manage symptoms and protect joints; some patients improve significantly, others need further treatment — we're honest about expected outcomes.
Can TMJ cause headaches?
Yes — jaw muscle tension is a common but under-recognised cause of tension headaches and morning migraines.
How long will I need a splint?
Some patients wear one indefinitely at night; others find they can reduce wear after symptoms settle — we review this at follow-up.
Get an objective assessment of your jaw
Book a TMJ consultation with digital bite analysis — no guesswork.