TMJ/TMD can be complex. We help you find relief.
Jaw pain, clicking, or difficulty opening your mouth fully often points to a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issue. It’s rarely just about the jaw itself. When it sticks around, there can be more to the story.
Override specializes in chronic pain. Our virtual care team looks at the physical, neurological, and emotional factors that can influence ongoing jaw pain, then builds a personalized care plan around your needs, goals, and life.
of appointments are fully virtual. In-network with most insurance plans in select states.
of patients report improvement*
satisfaction with Override providers*
*Source: Internal Override Health patient-reported outcomes data
What Causes TMJ/TMD?
TMD (temporomandibular disorder) refers to problems affecting the temporomandibular joint, the hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull, and the muscles that control jaw movement. “TMJ” technically refers to the joint itself, but it’s commonly used to refer to the disorder.
Common symptoms:
Jaw pain, often on one side
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when chewing or opening your mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or the jaw catching or locking
Pain or tenderness around the ear or jaw hinge
Jaw fatigue or soreness, especially after chewing
Chronic TMD pain is also a nervous system story. When jaw pain continues for months, the nervous system can become more sensitized, which can keep discomfort present even after the initial trigger has settled.
A note on safety: TMD causes jaw pain and dysfunction tied to movement, not weakness. If you notice sudden weakness, drooping, or an inability to move one side of your face, with or without pain, this is a different condition, such as Bell’s palsy, and in some cases can be a sign of a stroke. Sudden facial drooping or weakness needs emergency evaluation right away, not routine treatment. If you’re experiencing jaw pain and clicking without any facial weakness or drooping, that’s consistent with TMD and not an emergency in itself.
When TMJ/TMD Becomes More Than a Jaw Problem
When jaw pain lasts for months, it can start affecting much more than chewing.
Pain can change what foods you eat, how you talk, how you sleep (especially if clenching happens at night), and how self-conscious you feel about a jaw that clicks or catches in front of others.
That’s why Override doesn’t treat TMD as only a jaw problem.
We look at the whole pain experience and build a personalized plan around your symptoms, history, goals, and the factors that may be contributing to your pain.
A Whole-Person Approach to TMJ/TMD
You may have already seen a dentist, tried a nightguard, or tried physical therapy. Maybe something helped for a while. Maybe nothing did.
Override isn’t about asking one more treatment to solve every part of a complex pain experience.
It’s about bringing the right care together.
Depending on your needs, your personalized care plan may include:
Pain Medicine
Pain specialists trained in pain neuroscience and non-opioid chronic pain management who can oversee your care plan and adjust medications when appropriate.
Physical Therapy
Movement specialists trained in chronic pain who assess your jaw, bite, neck, and posture together to find what’s driving your TMD, and guide jaw exercises.
Pain Psychology
Pain-focused therapists who help address the stress and clenching patterns that are closely linked to TMD.
Coaching & Peer Support
Certified pain coaches help you build sustainable habits and stay supported between visits.
Your care is personalized to you. You may not need every service. The difference is that your providers can work together as one team, with one shared understanding of your pain and your goals, and we coordinate with your dentist when a nightguard is part of your plan.
Override patient
How Is TMJ/TMD Treated?
The large majority of TMD cases improve significantly with conservative treatment.
Treatment can include physical therapy, jaw exercises, and behavioral approaches, often coordinated with your dentist if a nightguard is part of your plan. Surgery is rarely needed.
When Should You Consider Override for TMJ/TMD?
Override may be a good fit if:
Your jaw symptoms have lasted three months or longer, or keep recurring
Your symptoms are affecting your eating, sleep, work, mood, or the things you want to do
You’ve tried a nightguard or self-care without enough relief
You’re looking for a more comprehensive approach to managing jaw pain
Override isn’t emergency or acute care. If you notice sudden facial weakness or drooping, seek emergency evaluation right away, since this is not a TMD symptom.
Related Conditions
Face Pain Disorder (Trigeminal Neuralgia)
a distinct nerve-pain condition sometimes confused with TMD
Headache & Migraine
jaw tension can be a headache contributor
Neck & Shoulder Pain
Frequently Asked Questions
No. TMD affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often causing clicking, popping, or aching pain tied to jaw movement. Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve condition causing sharp, shock-like facial pain, often without a clear connection to jaw movement.
Rarely. The large majority of TMD cases improve significantly with conservative treatment. Surgery is generally reserved for structural joint issues that don’t respond to other approaches.
Yes. Because the jaw, neck, and head muscles work closely together, TMD can contribute to neck tension and headaches.
Often both play a role. A dentist can address bite-related contributors, like fitting a nightguard for grinding, while we focus on the joint mechanics, muscle tension, and posture side.
Schedule your free consultation today to learn more.
