Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT  is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings.

Brian T. Luong, DMD, is a board-certified orthodontist. Jaw Die Clamp

Jaw clicking can be a symptom of several conditions that affect your jaw joints, or temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These conditions, called temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), can be caused by issues with the joint or muscles around it. Sometimes jaw clicking resolves on its own, without treatment. In the most severe cases, surgery might be required.

This article discusses jaw clicking—what this symptom feels like, other symptoms that often occur with it, and diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause this symptom.

The main symptom of a clicking jaw is a popping sensation at your TMJ when you open or close your mouth. These joints can be felt just below the end of your cheekbones, in front of your ears. You might also hear an audible "click" sound with this popping.

Other symptoms often occur with jaw clicking, depending on the underlying cause. These can include:

Around 11 million to 12 million people in the United States have had temporomandibular pain. TMDs most commonly affect women aged 35 to 44 years.

There are three main groups of temporomandibular joint disorders. Conditions in each of these groups can cause jaw clicking, as follows:

Osteoarthritis (OA) in the jaw occurs over time. With this condition, joints in the jaw undergo degenerative changes—breakdown of bone, cartilage, ligaments (connecting bone to bone), muscles, and the lining of the joint.

OA in the jaw can be caused by the following:

Osteoarthritis typically affects one side of the jaw at a time.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation in joints throughout the body, including the jaw. Unlike OA, rheumatoid arthritis typically affects both jaw joints simultaneously. Clicking is a common symptom of RA in the jaw.

Around 20% to 40% of people with rheumatoid arthritis will have TMJ involvement.

The upper jaw bone and skull form the temporomandibular joints. Between the bones is a piece of cartilage called a disc. Jaw clicking occurs in the majority of people with disc disorders.

Disc disorders are caused by disc displacement (disc moves out of place) or structural changes (typically from degeneration or breakdown of the disc over time).

Jaw clicking can occur from disorders that affect the muscles used for chewing. Examples include:

Jaw clicking often occurs without pain and can even be normal. In these cases, treatment is not necessary.

Treatment for jaw clicking depends on the underlying cause. Sometimes, temporomandibular joint issues resolve on their own without treatment.

Jaw conditions that cause clicking are often temporary and can be treated with home remedies, such as:

Physical therapy is often used to treat jaw-clicking disorders. Your therapist will evaluate your jaw and prescribe specific exercises based on the underlying issue. Modalities such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation can also reduce pain and inflammation.

Dentists and other healthcare providers also provide a variety of treatments for TMDs. These can include:

Healthcare providers that can typically help with diagnosis and treatment of joint pain include dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, oral medicine/orofacial pain specialists, and physical therapists.

Jaw clicking can be felt by placing fingers on the jaw joints during movement. In some cases, it can also be heard.

There are no specific tests for diagnosing jaw clicking. TMDs are diagnosed by physical exam—usually by a dentist or physical therapist.

Imaging, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide pictures of the bones and soft tissues to assess for damage to these structures.

If you don't have pain with your jaw clicking, you likely don't need treatment. If you have pain, difficulty moving your jaw, or if it's locking in one position, see your healthcare provider.

Jaw clicking is common and can be normal. However, jaw clicking accompanied by pain or difficulty moving your jaw can be a symptom of a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). These conditions are characterized by inflammation or damage to the joint's bones, ligaments, muscles, or cartilage (disc).

There are no specific tests to diagnose TMDs. These conditions are diagnosed with a physical examination by a healthcare provider. Imaging can provide additional information about joint damage that has occurred. Treatment often includes home remedies, physical therapy, and other interventions, such as mouth appliances, prescription medications, or, rarely, surgery.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. TMD (temporomadibular disorders).

Derwich M, Mitus-Kenig M, Pawlowska E. Interdisciplinary approach to the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis—review of the literature. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56(5):225. doi:10.3390/medicina56050225

Covert L, Mater HV, Hechler BL. Comprehensive management of rheumatic diseases affecting the temporomandibular joint. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(3):409. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11030409

Trindade D, Cordeiro R, José HC, et al. Biological treatments for temporomandibular joint disc disorders: strategies in tissue engineering. Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):933. doi:10.3390/biom11070933

Yoshida K. Botulinum toxin therapy for oromandibular dystonia and other movement disorders in the stomatognathic system. Toxins (Basel). 2022;14(4):282. doi:10.3390/toxins14040282

By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey is a physical therapist and professor of anatomy and physiology with over a decade of experience providing in-person and online education for medical personnel and the general public, specializing in the areas of orthopedic injury, neurologic diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy living. 

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