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What causes popping sound while opening the jaw?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I got facial pain, headaches, a popping sound while opening my jaw, pressure, and sometimes neck pain as well. I got patchy mucosal thickening of the ethmoid sinuses from a CT scan. I have attached my dental X-ray.

  1. Are my symptoms due to sinuses?
  2. Or do I have TMD of the right mandible?

Most of my symptoms are on the right side of the face. I have had this issue for a year.

Please help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Sandeep Menon

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Menon is a skilled Dental Surgeon with extensive clinical experience in treating a wide range of dental conditions. He provides expert care for diseases affecting the teeth and gums, with special proficiency in tooth repair, extractions, and the placement of artificial dentures. His areas of expertise include prosthodontics and restorative dentistry, helping patients regain function, comfort, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Since the symptoms you have mentioned are strongly suggestive of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), you will need advice from an oral surgeon and a neurologist. Avoid chewing anything hard on the right side in the meantime. A popping sound heard is the most common symptom of a problem with the joint. The orthopantomography (OPG) you have sent is inconclusive. More diagnosis is needed. Do consult both the specialist, as this condition tends to get more serious as age progresses.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At April 2, 2016
Reviewed At October 28, 2025

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Menon is a skilled Dental Surgeon with extensive clinical experience in treating a wide range of dental conditions. He provides expert care for diseases affecting the teeth and gums, with special proficiency in tooth repair, extractions, and the placement of artificial dentures. His areas of expertise include prosthodontics and restorative dentistry, helping patients regain function, comfort, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

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Decision Helper
Jaw Popping and TMD Decision Helper

Is your jaw pain more than just a pop?

Answer a few quick questions to see if your jaw symptoms might indicate Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and if a doctor's visit is recommended.

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Dr. Sandeep Menon
Dr. Sandeep Menon

Dentistry

Consult this doctor

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Menon is a skilled Dental Surgeon with extensive clinical experience in treating a wide range of dental conditions. He provides expert care for diseases affecting the teeth and gums, with special proficiency in tooth repair, extractions, and the placement of artificial dentures. His areas of expertise include prosthodontics and restorative dentistry, helping patients regain function, comfort, and confident smiles.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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