Jaw pain, clicking, and bite-related headaches — we take a step-by-step approach to finding what's driving it.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint — the hinge on each side of your face that connects your jaw to your skull. It's the joint you use every time you eat, talk, or yawn.
When that joint is under stress — from how your teeth come together, from clenching or grinding, or from muscle tension around the jaw — people can feel it in a lot of different ways. Jaw pain is the obvious one. But it also shows up as persistent headaches, ear pain, or a jaw that clicks and catches.
The good news is that we can usually figure out what's driving it and build a plan around that. We won't overwhelm you with the technical side unless you want to go deeper — we'll keep it simple and step by step.
These are the things patients most often describe when they come in for a TMJ consultation. You don't need to have all of them — even one or two is worth a conversation.
Jaw pain or soreness — especially in the morning
Clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth
Headaches that seem to start near your temples or ears
Your jaw locking open or feeling like it gets stuck
Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in your ears with no ear infection
Neck or shoulder tension that won't go away
Difficulty chewing, or pain when you bite down
Dr. Elgazzar completed specialized post-graduate training in how teeth, jaw joints, and the surrounding muscles all work together as a system. That kind of training matters with TMJ, because the symptoms often come from an imbalance across that whole system — not just the joint itself.
Most dentists treat teeth in isolation. Dr. Elgazzar is trained to look at the bite, the muscles, and the jaw mechanics as one picture. That's where the diagnosis gets more accurate — and where treatment tends to work better.
He's worked with patients dealing with chronic jaw pain, grinding habits, and bite-related headaches for years. Patients tell us they appreciate that he takes time to explain what he's seeing before moving into any treatment.
How the bite affects jaw joint position and muscle tension
Identifying whether symptoms come from the joint, the muscles, or how the teeth meet
Splint therapy — custom devices that take stress off the joint
Bite adjustment to remove contact points that overload the jaw
When to refer to an oral surgeon or specialist
We don't hand you a diagnosis and a device and send you on your way. Here's what the process actually looks like from your first visit.
At your consultation, we want to hear what you've been experiencing — how long it's been happening, when it's worse, what helps. That context matters before we look at anything clinically.
Dr. Elgazzar examines how your teeth come together, how your jaw moves, and whether there's tension or restriction in the surrounding muscles. We look at the full picture, not just the symptom.
There's no one-size approach to TMJ. Your plan might involve a custom oral splint, a bite adjustment, muscle therapy exercises, or a combination. We explain each option in plain language — you decide what feels right.
TMJ care isn't a one-visit fix. We check in at follow-up appointments, adjust the plan if something isn't working, and loop you in at every step. You're not handed a splint and sent home.
We start with a conversation, not an exam table. Dr. Elgazzar will ask you to describe what you've been feeling — where it hurts, when it started, whether certain movements make it better or worse. He's genuinely listening, not running through a checklist.
After that, he'll do a thorough look at your bite and jaw mechanics. He'll explain what he's seeing as he goes — in plain language, without rushing. If something needs more investigation, he'll tell you why.
You're in control at every step. Nothing moves forward without your agreement — and there's no pressure to decide on the spot. A lot of patients just want to understand what's happening. That's a completely fine outcome for a first visit.
If you have questions before you come in, give us a call. We're glad to talk through it before you book anything.
We offer a complimentary consultation for TMJ. Come in, describe what you've been experiencing, and we'll walk you through what we find. No obligation, no pressure.