Understanding TMJ Headaches

The temporomandibular joint (the TMJ) is a major joint in your jaw that helps you open and close your mouth to eat, laugh, drink, chew, and talk. TMJ muscles run alongside your jaw and cheeks, and can sometimes cause pain, including headaches.

When stress occurs in life, some people may bite their nails, fidget, and do various other things to calm their nerves. For others, their body’s response is to clench down, a habit called jaw clenching, which can lead to teeth grinding. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding may happen subconsciously or while sleeping.

Symptoms

A TMJ headache may be hard to distinguish from other types of headaches. However, TMJ headaches are usually accompanied by distinct symptoms, including:

Tight muscles in the face or jaw
Jaw pain or facial pain
A “clicking” sound in the jaw
Restricted jaw movement
Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth fit together

Causes

TMJ headaches are usually a symptom of a condition known as temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. While TMD affects nearly half of the American population, headaches resulting from TMD are less common. Some behaviors thought to contribute to TMD include:

Food sensitivities
Arthritis and inflammation
Recent open-mouth dental work
Infection
Nutritional deficiencies
The presence of an overbite
General stress

Risk Factors

There are several factors that may increase the risk of developing TMJ headaches, including:

Stress: Stress and tension can cause the muscles in the face and jaw to tighten, which can lead to TMJ headaches.
Poor posture: Poor posture, especially when sitting or standing, can put excess strain on the muscles of the face and jaw and increase the risk of TMJ headaches.
Teeth grinding: Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can put excess strain on the temporomandibular joint and lead to TMJ headaches.
Arthritis: Arthritis in the temporomandibular joint can cause inflammation and pain, which can lead to TMJ headaches.
Trauma: Trauma to the head or neck, such as a car accident or sports injury, can cause TMJ headaches.
Poor dental alignment: Poor alignment of the teeth, such as an overbite or underbite, can put excess strain on the temporomandibular joint and lead to TMJ headaches.
Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause, can increase the risk of TMJ headaches.

Diagnosing TMJ Headaches

To diagnose TMJ headaches, your healthcare provider will likely ask you about your medical history. They will also conduct a physical examination of your head, neck, and jaw, and may ask you questions about the location and severity of your headaches, as well as any other symptoms you are experiencing, such as jaw pain or difficulty opening and closing your mouth. In some cases, your healthcare provider may also order additional tests to help diagnose TMJ headaches, such as:

X-rays: X-rays can help your healthcare provider see the bones of the head and neck and check for any abnormalities or injuries.
MRI: An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the head and neck. This test can help your healthcare provider see the soft tissues, such as muscles and tendons, in the head and neck.
CT scan: A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head and neck. This test can help your healthcare provider see the bones and soft tissues in the head and neck and check for any abnormalities or injuries.
Jaw tracking test: A jaw tracking test involves using a small device that tracks the movement of your jaw as you open and close your mouth. This test can help your healthcare provider determine if you have any problems with the way your jaw moves.

TMJ and Migraine Headaches Treatment

Treatment options for TMJ headaches can range from medications and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for stress to dentistry and surgery. Some of the most common recommendations for TMJ and migraine headaches treatment include:

Trigger-Point Massage Therapy

When we’re stressed or in pain, the muscles in our neck and shoulders can tighten, becoming hyper-tense. These muscles, called trigger points, can then cause or exacerbate TMJ headaches even further. Fortunately, many have found relief with regular trigger-point massage therapy performed by a licensed massage therapist who specializes in TMJ.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a practice stemming from traditional Chinese medicine and is often used as a complementary treatment for pain management. Acupuncture is thought to activate peripheral sensory nerves and the afferent nerve pathway in the spinal cord, liberating cortisol, enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins while blocking the painful stimulus.

Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatments aim to properly align the jaw and "bite" (position of the teeth) and may help with nighttime teeth grinding from stress. Treatments can include:

Night guard: Night guards help to enable the temporomandibular joint to gently slide back into its correct position, thereby reducing the headache-causing pressure on it.
Splint: Splints work similarly to night guards, except they are worn all of the time to alleviate discomfort within the jaw by preventing any harmful movement from your teeth.
Orthodontic braces: Braces are an effective method for treating most problems caused by TMJ disorder. They work to keep everything in your mouth in alignment, preventing any further damaging movement.

Neuromuscular Treatments

When dental and pharmacological treatments do not alleviate pain, you may want to consider a neuromuscular treatment for TMJ headaches. These include nerve blocks, which can interfere with pain signals from nerves to your brain, or Botox injections to the muscles around the TMJ. Botox injections are a common migraine headaches treatment option, and can be used to treat other headache conditions, as well.

TMJ Denervation Surgery

TMJ denervation surgery, also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) nerve ablation, is a surgical procedure that is typically performed in cases where other treatments, such as physical therapy or medications, have not been effective in relieving pain and discomfort associated with the TMJ. The goal of the surgery is to reduce or eliminate pain in the TMJ by disrupting the signaling pathways between the nerves and the brain.

During the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision in the neck or face near the TMJ and use specialized instruments to identify and address the problematic nerves that supply the TMJ. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours to complete.

Our Doctors

At the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, we specialize in neuromuscular treatments for TMJ Headaches. Our advanced surgical team can help address problems of the associated muscles or nerves contributing to TMJ dysfunction and help ease chronic TMJ headache pain.

Physician

Matthew Kaufman

MD, FACS

Physician

Ahmed Nasser

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Find Migraine Surgery Near Me

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction makes getting specialized, world-class care as accessible and convenient as possible. We diagnose and treat TMJ headaches, migraines, and numerous other conditions at the following locations:

Insurance Information

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction participates in a wide range of insurance plans, including those listed below. However, each physician has their own accepted insurance and hospital affiliations. Before scheduling an appointment, please contact your insurance carrier to confirm that your provider is in-network.

If we are not an in-network provider, our friendly insurance specialists will help you find the most coverage available for your treatment.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Medicare
Railroad Medicare
Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare
Oxford (Freedom, Liberty)
MagnaCare

Patient Resources

Learn more about what to expect when it comes to surgical procedures and treatments at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction by visiting our patient resource page.

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Am I a candidate for denervation migraine surgery?

If you have been suffering from TMJ headaches that have not responded to medicine, therapy, or dental treatments, you may be a candidate for TMJ denervation surgery. Schedule a consultation with our migraine headache treatment experts to explore your options.

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Understanding TMJ Headaches