FAQs

They can be. Some people with TMD experience symptoms such as ear pain, pressure, fullness or a blocked-ear sensation even when examination of the ear itself does not identify a problem.

The jaw joint sits immediately in front of the ear, and the jaw, upper neck and ear region have closely related anatomical and neurological connections. Muscles and joints in the jaw and neck can therefore sometimes contribute to symptoms that are felt in or around the ear.

However, ear symptoms can have many causes. New, persistent or concerning ear symptoms should be appropriately assessed medically to exclude an ear-related condition.

Tinnitus has many possible causes and can be a challenging condition to treat. However, in some people tinnitus can be influenced by the musculoskeletal system, particularly structures associated with the jaw and neck. This is often referred to as somatic or somatosensory tinnitus.

If your tinnitus changes with jaw or neck movement, muscle tension, clenching or certain postures, a musculoskeletal assessment may be worthwhile.

Our TMJ Therapists can assess whether jaw or neck factors appear to be contributing and, where appropriate, treatment may focus on these areas. It is important to understand that not all tinnitus is related to the jaw or neck, and improvement cannot be guaranteed

Yes, where there appears to be a musculoskeletal contribution.
Headaches can have many different causes, but in some people the jaw muscles, TMJs and/or neck can contribute to headache symptoms. Clenching, jaw muscle overactivity, sustained postures and neck dysfunction may also be relevant depending on the individual presentation.
Our TMJ Therapists assess both the jaw and neck to determine whether these structures may be contributing to your headaches. If your presentation suggests that your headaches require medical investigation or management outside our scope, we will recommend the appropriate next step.

Possibly. Pain felt in a tooth does not always originate from the tooth itself.

Muscles associated with the jaw can sometimes refer pain into the teeth, face or gums. Structures in the neck can also contribute to pain experienced in the face and jaw through shared neurological pathways.

Dental causes should always be appropriately excluded first. If your dentist has examined the painful tooth or teeth and cannot identify a dental explanation, an assessment of the jaw, facial muscles and neck may help identify another possible source of the pain.

Yes. A sudden reduction in how far you can open your mouth, particularly if the jaw previously clicked and then stopped clicking, may be associated with a TMJ disc displacement commonly referred to as a “closed lock.”

There are also other reasons why mouth opening can become restricted, so an accurate assessment is important.

If your jaw has recently locked, we recommend arranging an assessment promptly. In appropriate cases our TMJ Therapists can use specific manual techniques aimed at restoring movement. Generally, a recent lock provides a better opportunity for manual unlocking than one that has been present for a long time.
If manual treatment is not appropriate or does not restore movement, we can help determine whether further investigation or referral is required.

Our TMJ Therapy team includes both physiotherapists and osteopaths.

Although their original professional training differs, all of our TMJ Therapists undergo extensive additional training within Melbourne TMJ & Facial Pain Centre and use a consistent clinical approach to assessing and managing TMD, jaw pain and related presentations.

For most patients, either profession is an appropriate starting point. One practical difference may be the rebate available through your private health insurance, as physiotherapy and osteopathy are classified separately by health funds.

Our TMJ Therapists follow a consistent clinical approach to assessing and treating TMD, while tailoring treatment to your individual findings, symptoms and stage of recovery.

Treatment includes hands-on treatment of the TMJs, jaw muscles and neck, including intraoral muscle techniques. Depending on your presentation, this is combined with exercises to improve movement, strength or control, and strategies to modify habits or loads that may be aggravating your symptoms.

A major part of treatment is also helping you understand your condition and giving you practical ways to manage it yourself.

Where dental, medical, sleep, breathing or other factors appear relevant, we can also collaborate with other practitioners within our multidisciplinary team or with your existing healthcare providers.

There is no set number of appointments because TMD presentations vary considerably.

Some relatively recent or uncomplicated problems may respond quickly, while longstanding or more complex conditions can require a longer management period.

After assessing you, your therapist will explain what they have found and give you a clearer idea of the recommended treatment approach. Our aim is to help you progress towards effective self-management rather than create unnecessary ongoing treatment.

Possibly. Pain felt in a tooth does not always originate from the tooth itself.

Muscles associated with the jaw can sometimes refer pain into the teeth, face or gums. Structures in the neck can also contribute to pain experienced in the face and jaw through shared neurological pathways.

Dental causes should always be appropriately excluded first. If your dentist has examined the painful tooth or teeth and cannot identify a dental explanation, an assessment of the jaw, facial muscles and neck may help identify another possible source of the pain.

No. Having TMD does not automatically mean that you need a splint.

TMD encompasses a range of different joint, muscle and pain presentations, and the appropriate management depends on what is contributing to your individual symptoms.

For some patients an oral appliance may form a useful part of management. For others, TMJ Therapy, self-management or another approach may be more appropriate.

If a splint is being considered, our TMJ / Sleep Medicine Dentists will assess your presentation and explain the reason for recommending a particular appliance.

There are many different types of dental splints and oral appliances, and they can be prescribed for different clinical objectives.

Some appliances are primarily intended to protect the teeth from the effects of clenching or grinding. Others may be designed with additional objectives relating to jaw function, joint loading, muscle activity or a particular TMD presentation.

Our TMJ / Sleep Medicine Dentists have additional training and experience in TMD and select the appliance design according to the patient’s clinical presentation and treatment objectives.

There is no single splint that is right for every patient, which is why assessment and diagnosis should come before appliance selection.

The cost varies because the amount required depends on the muscles being treated and the number of units clinically indicated.

As a general guide, treatment typically ranges from approximately $300 to $600, excluding the medical consultation fee.

Dr Goldberg takes a conservative approach and aims to use the minimum effective number of units required for the individual patient’s clinical needs.

The injectable treatment itself is not generally eligible for a Medicare rebate. Our team can provide further information regarding current consultation fees and potential Medicare rebates when you enquire.

We have HICAPS facilities available for eligible services, allowing many patients to claim their private health insurance rebate at the time of their appointment.

The amount you can claim depends on your individual policy, level of extras cover and the profession of the practitioner you see.

Because physiotherapy and osteopathy are treated as different services by health funds, your rebate may also differ depending on which practitioner you attend.

We recommend checking directly with your health fund if you would like to know your expected rebate before your appointment.

Patients with WorkCover or TAC claims are welcome to attend Melbourne TMJ & Facial Pain Centre; however, we do not bill WorkCover or TAC directly.

You will need to pay the consultation fee in full on the day of your appointment and then submit the invoice to the relevant insurer for reimbursement according to your approved claim.

Please note that TAC does not currently cover osteopathy services. If you are attending under a claim, please let our reception team know when booking.

Jaw clicking commonly occurs when the small disc within the TMJ moves differently during opening and closing. One common example is a disc that temporarily moves out of its usual relationship with the joint and then returns during movement, producing a click.

A clicking jaw does not automatically mean that treatment is required.

However, assessment may be worthwhile if the clicking is accompanied by pain, increasing frequency or intensity, changes in jaw movement, episodes of catching or locking, or other new symptoms.

Not necessarily. Jaw joint noises are relatively common, and a painless click that has remained stable may not require treatment.

What matters is the broader clinical picture.

If your clicking becomes painful, noticeably louder or more frequent, is associated with changes in mouth opening, or your jaw begins catching or intermittently locking, an assessment can help determine whether the mechanics of the joint have changed.

Yes, in some people.

The jaw and neck function as part of a closely related musculoskeletal system, and they also share important neurological connections. This means that dysfunction or sensitivity arising from the neck can sometimes contribute to symptoms experienced around the jaw, head or face, and vice versa.

For this reason, our TMJ Therapy assessments routinely consider the neck rather than examining the jaw in isolation.

Clenching and grinding can contribute to TMD in some people, but the relationship is not always straightforward.

Jaw muscles and joints are designed to tolerate load, and people differ considerably in how much load their tissues can comfortably manage. Clenching or grinding may become relevant when the amount or duration of loading exceeds an individual’s current tolerance, particularly when other contributing factors are present.

Our focus is therefore not simply on whether you clench or grind, but on whether it appears clinically relevant to your particular symptoms.

Yes. Facial pain is an important part of our clinical work.

Pain felt in the face can arise from many different structures and does not always originate where it is felt. Jaw muscles, TMJs, the neck, dental structures and the nervous system can all potentially contribute to different facial pain presentations.

Our role is to assess whether there appears to be a musculoskeletal or TMD-related component to your symptoms and, importantly, recognise when further dental, medical or specialist assessment may be required.

That depends on your presentation, and you don’t necessarily need to work this out yourself before contacting us.

Our TMJ Therapists focus particularly on the musculoskeletal aspects of TMD, including the jaw joints, muscles, movement and neck. Our TMJ / Sleep Medicine Dentists can assess dental and occlusal factors, oral appliances and relevant sleep or airway considerations.

Some patients need only one discipline, while others benefit from collaborative care.

If you’re unsure which appointment is most appropriate, our reception team can help guide you based on your main symptoms.

For most people, our Initial TMJ Therapy Consultation is the ideal place to start. This comprehensive 60-minute appointment allows your TMJ Therapist to take a detailed history, thoroughly assess your jaw, TMJs, muscles and neck, explain their findings and begin treatment during the same appointment. You will also receive practical self-management advice to start helping your symptoms between appointments.

If you’re unsure which service or practitioner is most appropriate, our reception team is trained to help guide you based on your main symptoms and what you’re looking for. Simply give us a call and we can help you choose the best place to start.

If you’re not ready to commit to a full assessment and treatment, our TMJ Guidance & Self-Help Consultation is a 30-minute appointment, available in person or via Telehealth. It provides an opportunity to discuss your particular presentation with a TMJ Therapist and receive personalised guidance and self-management advice.

If you’re still unsure whether our approach is right for you and would like to briefly speak directly with one of our TMJ Therapists before deciding, we also offer a free 5–10 minute Discovery Call. This is a brief introductory conversation rather than a clinical consultation, so it does not include an assessment, diagnosis or personalised treatment advice.