Many of my patients here in Brentwood come to our office with overlapping symptoms that make it hard to know what is really going on. They have facial pressure, trouble breathing at night, headaches, and jaw discomfort. The big question they ask is: Is this a septum problem or a TMJ issue? I am Dr. Farshid Ariz, DMD, a periodontist and TMJ specialist at the TMJ & Sleep Centre of San Fernando Valley. I help patients every day sort through these symptoms and find the right answers. The truth is that deviated septum symptoms and TMJ disorder symptoms can mimic each other in surprising ways, so understanding the differences is essential for getting the right treatment.
What Is a Deviated Septum?
Your nasal septum is the thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nose into two passages. When that wall is crooked or shifted to one side, doctors call it a deviated septum. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 80 percent of people have some degree of septal deviation, though many never notice it. A deviation becomes a problem only when it causes noticeable symptoms that interfere with your daily life or sleep.
Common Deviated Septum Symptoms
Deviated septum symptoms range from mild to quite disruptive. Here are the ones I hear about most often from patients in Brentwood and nearby Encino:
- Nasal congestion on one side — One nostril may feel chronically blocked, making it hard to breathe through your nose.
- Frequent nosebleeds — The uneven airflow dries out the membranes inside the narrower passage.
- Facial pressure or pain — Sinus congestion from poor drainage can cause aching around the cheeks, eyes, and forehead.
- Loud breathing or snoring during sleep — Restricted airflow forces you to breathe through your mouth at night.
- Recurring sinus infections — A crooked septum can trap mucus, creating an environment where bacteria thrive.
- Headaches — Pressure buildup in the sinuses often triggers tension-type headaches.
Notice how many of these signs overlap with jaw-related conditions. Facial pressure, headaches, and disrupted sleep are symptoms my TMJ patients report every single day. That overlap is exactly why so many people struggle to figure out the root cause on their own.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder — often called TMD — affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. This joint sits just in front of each ear, and it works every time you chew, talk, or yawn. When something goes wrong with the joint, the muscles around it, or the disc inside it, a cascade of symptoms can follow.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that roughly 31 percent of adults experience at least one TMJ symptom at any given time. That is a significant number, and it tells us this condition is far more common than many people realize.
Common TMJ Disorder Symptoms
- Jaw pain or tenderness — Discomfort around the jaw joint, especially when chewing or opening wide.
- Clicking or popping sounds — You may hear or feel a pop when you open or close your mouth.
- Facial pain and pressure — Aching across the cheeks and temples that mimics sinus pain.
- Headaches — Tension in the jaw muscles often radiates upward, causing head pain.
- Ear fullness or ringing — The proximity of the joint to the ear canal can create ear-related symptoms.
- Difficulty sleeping — Pain and muscle tension make it hard to relax at night.
Where the Symptoms Overlap
If you look at both lists side by side, you can see why patients get confused. Facial pressure, headaches, and sleep disruption appear on both. A person living in Sherman Oaks who has chronic one-sided facial pain might assume it is a sinus issue from a deviated nasal septum. In reality, a strained temporomandibular joint could be the true source. The opposite also happens — someone may think they have TMJ trouble when a septum deviation is causing the pressure and sleep problems.
I always tell my patients that the body does not read textbooks. Symptoms blend together, and sometimes a person has both a deviated septum and a TMJ disorder at the same time. That combination is more common than you might expect, especially among patients who also deal with sleep apnea. Nasal obstruction from a crooked septum forces mouth breathing, which changes jaw posture and places extra stress on the temporomandibular joint over time.
How We Tell the Difference
Getting the right diagnosis starts with a thorough evaluation. Here is the approach I use at our Brentwood-area office:
Detailed History
I ask about the location, timing, and triggers of your symptoms. Nasal blockage that worsens with colds or allergies points toward a septum issue. Pain that spikes when you chew or clench your teeth leans toward TMJ disorder.
Physical Examination
I assess jaw range of motion, listen for joint sounds, and palpate the muscles around the jaw and temples. I also look at your nasal passages. Swelling on one side, visible curvature of the septum, or turbinate enlargement all suggest a nasal contribution.
Imaging When Needed
Cone-beam CT scans give us a three-dimensional view of both the jaw joints and the nasal structures. This imaging tool is incredibly helpful when symptoms overlap because it lets us see everything in a single scan.
Sleep Assessment
If you snore or feel tired during the day, we may recommend a sleep study. Obstructive sleep apnea can coexist with both conditions, and addressing it is key to a full recovery. You can learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and TMJ on our blog.
Treatment Paths for Each Condition
Treating a Deviated Septum
Mild cases often respond well to nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, and saline rinses that reduce swelling and improve airflow. When conservative measures are not enough, a surgical procedure called septoplasty straightens the septum. Septoplasty has a high success rate and usually involves a short recovery period.
Treating TMJ Disorder
TMJ treatment varies based on severity. Options include custom oral appliances that reposition the jaw, physical therapy exercises, stress management techniques, and anti-inflammatory medications. In our practice, we focus on non-invasive approaches first. Many patients see significant improvement with a well-fitted oral appliance that keeps the jaw in a comfortable position during sleep.
When Both Conditions Are Present
If you have both a deviated nasal septum and TMJ dysfunction, a coordinated care plan works best. We may collaborate with an ENT specialist to address the nasal obstruction while simultaneously managing the jaw disorder. Treating only one side of the equation often leaves patients frustrated because symptoms linger.
Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Getting the wrong diagnosis means getting the wrong treatment. A patient who undergoes septoplasty for persistent facial headaches may still have those headaches if the true cause was a temporomandibular joint disorder all along. Likewise, wearing an oral appliance will not open a blocked nasal passage caused by a deviated nasal septum. Accurate diagnosis saves time, money, and unnecessary discomfort.
Signs It Is Time to Seek Help
If any of the following apply to you, I encourage you to schedule an evaluation:
- You have chronic one-sided nasal obstruction that does not improve with over-the-counter remedies.
- You experience jaw pain, clicking, or locking on a regular basis.
- Facial pressure or headaches are affecting your quality of life.
- You snore loudly or wake up feeling unrested despite a full night of sleep.
- You have tried treatments for one condition without lasting relief.
Taking action early leads to better outcomes. Both deviated septum symptoms and TMJ symptoms respond well to treatment when identified correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deviated septum cause jaw pain?
A deviated septum itself does not directly cause jaw pain. However, the chronic mouth breathing it creates can change your jaw posture and increase muscle tension around the temporomandibular joint. Over time, this added strain may contribute to jaw discomfort that feels similar to TMJ disorder.
How do I know if my headaches are from a septum issue or TMJ?
Headaches linked to a deviated nasal septum tend to center around the sinuses — behind the eyes, across the forehead, or along the cheekbones — and often worsen with congestion. TMJ-related headaches usually start near the temples or jaw and flare up after chewing, clenching, or grinding. A thorough clinical exam and imaging can pinpoint the source.
Can I have both a deviated septum and TMJ disorder at the same time?
Yes, it is quite common to have both conditions simultaneously. Nasal obstruction from a crooked septum can lead to mouth breathing, which places extra stress on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Treating both conditions together typically produces the best long-term results.
What kind of doctor should I see for overlapping septum and TMJ symptoms?
A TMJ specialist who understands airway health is an excellent starting point. This type of provider can evaluate both the jaw joint and the nasal airway in a single visit. If a nasal structural issue is confirmed, they can coordinate care with an ENT specialist for a complete treatment plan.
Will fixing my deviated septum improve my TMJ symptoms?
Correcting a deviated septum can improve nasal breathing, which may reduce mouth breathing and the jaw strain that comes with it. While septoplasty alone may not fully resolve TMJ disorder, it can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Many patients notice improvement in both conditions once proper nasal airflow is restored.
Written by: Dr. Farshid Ariz, DMD