Skip to content

Jaw Clicking & Popping Treatment in Atlanta

Hands-on physical therapy for a jaw that clicks, pops, or catches, at our TMJ clinics in Roswell and Dunwoody.

Book a TMJ Evaluation
Find a Location
Why TMJ Physical Therapy

Care built around your jaw

TMJ and orofacial pain is all we treat. We help patients across greater Atlanta get relief without surgery.

One-on-one care

Every visit is with a TMJ-focused physical therapist for the full session.

No referral needed

In Georgia, you can start physical therapy without a physician referral.

Two clinics

Convenient locations in Roswell and Dunwoody.

Superbills provided

Submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Woman holding her jaw in discomfort from a clicking TMJ disorder
Sound familiar?

Why does my jaw click or pop?

A jaw that clicks or pops when you chew, yawn, or open wide is one of the most common signs of a TMJ disorder. Each temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has a small disc that cushions the joint as your jaw opens and closes. Most jaw clicking comes from one of these:

  • Disc displacement. The disc sits slightly out of position. As you open, the jaw slips back onto it, causing a click. A second, softer click often happens as you close.
  • Over-opening. The joint glides too far forward when you open wide, so it pops as it moves past its normal range.
  • Muscle imbalance. Tight or uncoordinated chewing muscles pull the jaw off its usual path.
  • Clenching and grinding, which load the joint and keep the muscles tense.
  • Past injury, such as a blow to the jaw, whiplash, or long dental procedures.

A grating or crunching sound (rather than a clean click) can point to wear in the joint surfaces, which we also evaluate.

When should jaw clicking be treated?

Sometimes a click is just a harmless noise. Painless clicking with normal jaw movement often doesn't need treatment. We recommend an evaluation if your clicking:

  • Comes with pain in your jaw, face, temple, or ear
  • Is getting louder, more frequent, or harder to ignore
  • Catches or sticks, so you have to wiggle your jaw to open
  • Makes eating, talking, or yawning uncomfortable
  • Suddenly stops, and now you can't open as wide as before

That last one matters: when a click disappears and opening becomes limited, the disc may no longer be slipping back into place. This is sometimes called a closed lock, and it responds best to early care. Learn more about our care for TMJ treatment in Atlanta.

Smiling woman feeling relief after TMJ physical therapy in Atlanta
Our approach

How physical therapy helps jaw clicking

The goal of treatment is a jaw that moves smoothly, without pain or catching. Your plan is built from your evaluation and typically includes:

  • Controlled opening exercises to retrain a smooth, centered path for your jaw
  • Hands-on manual therapy for the joint and the chewing muscles, inside and outside the mouth
  • Dry needling for tight, tender jaw and neck muscles, when appropriate
  • Habit coaching for clenching, gum chewing, and wide yawning
  • Neck and posture work, since head and neck position changes how the jaw moves
  • A home program so you keep improving between visits

Many patients notice less pain and catching as their jaw control improves. A quiet click can sometimes remain even after pain resolves, and that's usually not a concern. We'll be honest with you about what to expect.

Your first visit

What to expect at your first visit

Every visit is one-on-one with your physical therapist for the full session.

  • 1. A full history

    We ask when your clicking started and what makes it better or worse.

  • 2. A hands-on exam

    We check jaw opening, movement path, joint sounds, and the jaw, head, and neck muscles.

  • 3. A clear explanation

    You'll leave knowing what's causing your clicking, in plain language.

  • 4. Treatment the same day

    Most patients start hands-on treatment and a home program at the first visit.

Book Your First Visit
TESTIMONIAL

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

Untitled design (65)

Patient

Meagan

“I have visited several doctors for my TMJ issues, and none have given me the relief or results like Dr. Glackin… After roughly 5 appointments, my jaw feels better than it has in years.”

Untitled design (65)

Patient

Rhea

"I struggled with chronic TMJ pain for months before finding Dr. Glackin. Within just a couple of sessions, he made significant progress where other medical professionals had not."

Jaw clicking treatment in Roswell and Dunwoody

We see patients from across metro Atlanta, including Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Marietta, and Brookhaven.

When to see a dentist or physician first

See a dentist or physician promptly if your jaw is locked open, your bite suddenly changes, or clicking started after a recent blow to the jaw, or if you have facial swelling, fever, or numbness. We coordinate with your dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon whenever your care calls for it.

FAQ

Jaw Clicking & Popping: Common Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most about jaw clicking and popping.

Jaw clicking is common, and painless clicking with normal jaw movement often doesn't need treatment. It's worth an evaluation if the clicking is painful, getting worse, or comes with catching or locking.

Most often, the small disc inside the joint sits slightly out of position and the jaw slips back onto it as you open. Opening too far, tight chewing muscles, and clenching can also cause popping.

Physical therapy often reduces clicking, along with the pain and catching that come with it. A quiet click can sometimes remain after pain resolves, which is usually not a concern. The main goal is a jaw that moves comfortably and reliably.

Sometimes. Clicking can progress to catching, and occasionally to a closed lock, where the jaw can't open fully. If your click suddenly stops and you can't open as wide as before, get evaluated promptly.

Either is a good place to start. Physical therapy treats the joint, muscles, and habits behind clicking, while a dentist addresses teeth and bite concerns. We coordinate with your dentist when your care calls for it.

No. In Georgia, you can start physical therapy without a physician referral.

Book a TMJ Evaluation
Ready when you are

Get a jaw that moves smoothly again

Stop working around a clicking, catching jaw. Book a one-on-one TMJ evaluation in Roswell or Dunwoody and leave your first visit with answers and a plan.