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Non-surgical · Non-invasive

TMJ Issues & Jaw Pain

Most TMJ problems are managed without joint surgery, injections, or other invasive procedures.

At This Is It Dental, we focus on identifying the underlying cause of jaw pain, clicking, headaches and facial tension. Using advanced diagnostics and evidence-based care, Dr. Rena Uberoi develops treatment plans designed to improve jaw function and reduce discomfort.

Dr Rena Uberoi's TMJ Story

Discover a different approach

Trusted TMJ treatment from a dentist who's lived it

Living with TMJ discomfort herself, Dr Rena Uberoi understands how jaw pain affects sleep, focus and daily life. Her care combines advanced diagnostics with the empathy of someone who has been through it.

  • Certified expertise

    Among the few UK dentists trained in advanced TMJ therapies using DTR and T-Scan.

  • World-class training

    The Dawson Academy, Aesthetic Advantage New York, and IPSO Group UK.

  • Technology with a human touch

    Cutting-edge diagnostics paired with clear, empathetic explanation of your symptoms.

Dr Rena Uberoi

What patients say

Rena has been my dentist for 30 years. I've recommended her to family, friends and colleagues and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her.

What to expect at your TMJ assessment

Your consultation lasts approximately one hour, giving Dr. Rena Uberoi the time to fully understand your symptoms, medical history and everything you've already tried.

During your assessment, she will:

  • Listen carefully to your story and how your symptoms have developed.
  • Carry out a detailed examination of your jaw joints, muscles and surrounding structures.
  • Assess your bite, jaw movement and how your teeth come together using advanced diagnostic techniques where appropriate.
  • Explain what is causing your symptoms in clear, easy-to-understand language.
  • Discuss how your TMJ disorder may have developed and answer any questions you have.
  • Recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on your diagnosis.

If you decide to proceed with treatment, you'll also receive a comprehensive written report outlining your diagnosis, findings and recommended treatment plan.

Book a TMJ assessment

The TMJ consultation is a private appointment with Dr Rena Uberoi (£290). Jaw pain is rarely straightforward. An accurate diagnosis depends on examining your bite, muscles and joints in person, which cannot be done properly from messages or photos alone. Dr Uberoi sees a limited number of TMJ patients each week so everyone receives unhurried, focused care.

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two hinge joints connecting your lower jaw to your skull, located immediately in front of your ears. They are among the most complex and continuously used joints in the body, involved in chewing, speaking, swallowing, and yawning. Each joint contains a thin cartilaginous disc acting as a shock absorber between the bones.

When the bite is unbalanced, due to missing teeth, worn restorations, grinding, or a bite that has shifted over time, the jaw muscles adapt by altering their contraction patterns. This chronic muscular compensation eventually inflames the joint, compresses or displaces the disc, and creates a pattern of referred pain that travels through the face, temples, ears, and neck.

Symptoms That May Indicate TMJ Dysfunction

  • Chronic morning headaches or migraines that are worse on waking
  • Jaw pain or tenderness, particularly when eating or clenching
  • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint
  • Restricted mouth opening or a jaw that locks open or shut
  • Earache without infection, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Chronic facial, temple, or neck tension and fatigue
  • Teeth that are visibly worn flat, repeatedly chipped, or fractured

Our Diagnostic Approach

We do not guess. Dr. Uberoi uses a combination of clinical evaluation, T-Scan digital bite analysis, and electromyography (EMG) to build an objective, data-driven picture of what is happening in your jaw joints and muscles before any treatment is proposed.

  • Clinical Examination

    Palpation of all the muscles of mastication, not just the masseter and temporalis, to locate active trigger points, alongside assessment of jaw opening range and auscultation of joint sounds. We take a careful, detailed history first, because not every patient presents with the same symptoms, and understanding how each patient arrived at their current problem allows us to treat them in a genuinely personalised way. Consultations, treatment, and review appointments are never rushed, we give patients the time needed to evaluate their symptoms properly throughout their treatment.

  • T-Scan Digital Bite Analysis

    Maps the exact timing, force, and distribution of bite contacts in real time, identifying premature contacts that may be driving neuromuscular dysfunction.

  • EMG (Electromyography)

    Measures the electrical activity of the jaw muscles, identifying which are chronically overactive and in a state of tonic spasm.

Treatment options

  • Custom occlusal splints

    Michigan / Tanner

    A hard, precisely balanced splint worn nightly repositions the lower jaw into its most relaxed position, decompressing the joint and allowing overactive muscles to recover, a well-established option for severe bruxism and TMJ stabilisation.

  • SCi anterior splint

    Sleep clench inhibitor

    An ultra-compact device that fits discreetly over just the front teeth. By preventing the back molars from contacting during sleep, it limits the masseter muscles from contracting at full force, providing rapid relief from morning jaw pain and tension headaches.

  • Bite balancing

    Occlusal equilibration

    A precise, controlled reshaping of the biting surfaces so teeth meet evenly when the jaw joints are in their most stable position, much like balancing the legs of a table. Guided by T-Scan and EMG data, micro-adjustments can resolve the source of muscular tension without removing significant tooth structure.

  • PBM laser therapy

    Photobiomodulation

    Applied directly over the masseter, temporalis and joint capsule to ease chronic muscle spasms, reduce joint inflammation, and restore comfortable jaw movement. Many patients notice a difference during the session itself.

  • DTR therapy

    Disclusion time reduction

    A precise, non-surgical approach to correcting how the teeth bite together and how the jaw muscles function, guided by T-Scan and EMG data rather than guesswork.

    Read more about DTR therapy →

Transparent fees

TMJ Consultation £290
Mini Tekscan Bite Analysis £290
Full Tekscan Bite Analysis £490
EMG Diagnostic £490
DTR Therapy Price on request
Custom Occlusal Splints Price on request

Fees confirmed in writing at your consultation. No treatment proceeds without your agreement.

Email Dr Rena Uberoi

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Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my headaches are dental in origin?

If your headaches are consistently worst on waking, located in the temples, accompanied by jaw pain or stiffness, or occur alongside worn or fractured teeth, a dental origin is clinically likely. An objective EMG and T-Scan assessment can confirm whether overactive jaw muscles are the source, removing the guesswork entirely.

Will a night guard resolve my TMJ problem permanently?

A well-made custom splint is an effective management tool rather than a permanent cure for bruxism. It decompresses the joint, allows muscles to recover, and protects teeth from further damage. For many patients this is sufficient for long-term management. For others, additional diagnostic treatment, bite balancing or DTR therapy, addresses the underlying mechanical cause more directly.

I have been told my TMJ clicking is normal. Is it?

Occasional, painless clicking is common and not always a cause for concern. Clicking that is accompanied by pain, locking, or that is becoming louder or more frequent over time indicates mechanical changes within the joint that warrant assessment. Catching this early significantly expands the treatment options available.

Can TMJ dysfunction cause ear pain?

Yes. The TMJ sits immediately adjacent to the ear canal, and the same nerve pathways supply sensation to both structures. Chronic jaw joint inflammation is a well-documented cause of earache, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness in the ear, all in the complete absence of any ear infection.

Will I need surgery to treat my TMJ problem?

In the large majority of cases, no. Dr. Uberoi's approach to TMJ dysfunction is entirely non-surgical, built on diagnosis with T-Scan and EMG, custom splints, bite balancing, PBM laser therapy, and DTR. For most patients, these conservative measures fully resolve or manage their symptoms, and surgery is not required. Genuine joint pathology requiring surgical treatment is uncommon; where it is suspected, Dr. Uberoi will refer you to an appropriate maxillofacial surgeon rather than attempt to manage it in-house.

Why do your splints work better than a standard night guard?

Because we diagnose the cause accurately first, through a careful history, T-Scan, and EMG, rather than fitting a generic appliance. Every splint is then individually designed around that diagnosis, precision-fabricated, and, critically, precisely adjusted after fitting until the patient has fully stabilised. It's this combination of accurate diagnosis, custom design, and careful follow-up adjustment that makes the difference, not just the appliance itself.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Rena Uberoi

Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace a face-to-face consultation. Every treatment plan is individual.