Jaw Clicking,
Popping & Locking
Jaw clicking when you eat? Popping sounds when you open your mouth? Jaw locking in place? These are warning signs of TMJ disorder — and Dr. Vartanian can help in Newport Beach.
Clicking Is a Warning.
Don’t Ignore It.
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in your jaw are among the earliest and most recognizable signs of TMJ disorder. These sounds typically indicate that the articular disc inside your jaw joint has shifted out of its normal position — a condition called disc displacement.
In early stages, clicking may seem harmless — an annoyance more than a concern. But disc displacement is progressive. Without treatment, occasional clicking can evolve into frequent popping, then grating sounds, and eventually locking — where your jaw gets stuck in an open or closed position.
Jaw locking is a more advanced stage of TMJ dysfunction that requires immediate attention. When the disc becomes permanently displaced or the joint develops adhesions, normal jaw movement becomes restricted. This limits your ability to eat, speak, and function comfortably.
Dr. Vartanian’s approach addresses clicking and locking conservatively — through custom splint therapy that guides the disc back into position, Botox therapy to reduce the muscle forces contributing to displacement, and guided jaw exercises that restore normal mechanics. Early intervention produces the best outcomes.
Signs You Need Help
- Clicking sounds when opening or closing
- Popping sensation in one or both jaw joints
- Grating or crunching sounds during chewing
- Jaw locking in open position
- Jaw locking in closed position (can’t open wide)
- Difficulty opening mouth for eating or yawning
- Jaw deviating to one side when opening
- Pain accompanied by clicking or popping
- Changes in bite alignment
- Progressive worsening of joint sounds