
Your Jaws May Be the Source
Pain in your facial muscles. Debilitating migraine headaches. Though other explanations are possible, these conditions may share a common cause. Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which are located underneath the skin and muscles in front of your ear, are essentially hinges that enable you to open and close your mouth to speak, eat, laugh, and smile. They attach your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ issues can be caused by various factors, including malocclusion (tooth misalignment), teeth grinding, genetics, and jaw trauma. They can also cause facial pain and migraines. Depending on the severity of your problems, TMJ surgery in Fairfax or Fredericksburg, VA might be your best treatment option.
Dr. Ibrahim Haron, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, excels at relieving facial pain, migraines, and other symptoms associated with the TMJ. He’s had extensive surgical training, including a hospital-based residency, that addresses issues connected to jaws and the facial anatomy in general. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms below, we recommend that you come see Dr. Haron for an examination and consultation.

Common TMJ Symptoms
- Migraines and other headaches
- Facial pain
- Muscle pain
- Jaw pain, locking, or popping
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Backaches
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Earaches
- Dizziness
Key TMJ Treatments
Dr. Haron offers different types of treatment to relieve facial pain and migraines, from TMJ surgery to at-home therapies.
Open-Joint Surgery (TMJ Surgery)
During open-joint surgery, Dr. Haron makes an incision to expose the joint. This will allow him to repair the jaw, reposition it, or remove parts of it, if necessary. To keep you comfortable and relaxed during your TMJ surgery, he may use nitrous oxide and/or IV sedation.
Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive type of TMJ surgery that can alleviate symptoms such as pain and stiffness. With TMJ arthrocentesis, Dr. Haron uses one needle to introduce a cleaning fluid into the joint and another needle to withdraw the fluid.
BOTOX®
The aesthetic benefits of BOTOX have been harnessed for many years to reduce facial wrinkles and produce a more youthful facial appearance. BOTOX has been found to be equally effective in relaxing tense muscles around the TMJ, which are often the cause of TMJ pain. Dr. Haron can minimize your discomfort by introducing BOTOX into those muscles.
Oral Appliances
Proper tooth alignment can help you prevent TMJ issues. If your bite is already misaligned, Dr. Haron can provide at-home appliances like a nightguard or mouthguard to move your teeth into their correct position and relieve any associated muscle strain in your face.