Jaw Pain Is Not Normal
If jaw pain is part of your daily life, it may feel routine—but it shouldn’t be. Persistent discomfort could be a sign of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), affecting one or both TMJs (Temporomandibular Joints). When misalignment or dysfunction occurs, inflammation develops, leading to pain and other symptoms.
- Frequent headaches
- Ear pain or sensitivity near the ear
- Discomfort or soreness in the jaw and facial muscles
- Tension or pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning, or fully opening the mouth
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder (TMD):
How We Diagnose and Treat TMJ Disorder
Diagnosis
TMD diagnosis begins with a comprehensive dental evaluation to assess your jaw, bite, teeth, and temporomandibular joints (TMJs). During your exam, we check for pain, tenderness, limited movement, or clicking and popping sounds when you open and close your mouth. These symptoms often indicate joint dysfunction or muscle strain, which can lead to chronic discomfort if left untreated. If TMD is detected, a custom night guard or bite splint is often the first step in managing symptoms and protecting your jaw health.
Treatment & Relief
A custom-fitted bite splint helps reduce teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching, which are common causes of TMJ pain. These devices also realign the jaw, relieving strain on the joint and surrounding muscles, improving function, and preventing long-term joint damage. Night guards also help protect dental restorations like crowns, implants, and veneers from excessive wear caused by grinding.
Alternative Treatment Options
If bite misalignment, missing teeth, or excessive pressure on the TMJ is contributing to your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontic treatments, Invisalign, crowns, dental bridges, or implants to restore balance and alignment. In some cases, reshaping certain teeth can help redistribute bite force, reducing stress on the joint and minimizing discomfort.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint gets inflamed, misaligned, or stressed, it can lead to TMD (temporomandibular disorder)—a condition that causes jaw pain, stiffness, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
If you’re dealing with jaw pain, tenderness near your ear, or a clicking, popping, or grinding sound when you chew or yawn, you might have TMD. Some people also experience headaches, neck pain, or trouble fully opening or closing their mouth. If any of these sound familiar, it’s a good idea to have your jaw checked out.
TMD can happen for a variety of reasons—jaw injuries, arthritis, misaligned teeth, or excessive pressure on the joint from clenching or grinding. Even stress can play a role since tension in the muscles around your jaw can make symptoms worse. Poorly fitting dentures, dental bridges, or other restorations can also contribute. Because there are so many possible causes, it’s best to see a dentist for a personalized evaluation.
It’s possible! If your jaw muscles are overworked from grinding, clenching, or misalignment, that tension can radiate into your head and neck, leading to frequent headaches. Of course, headaches can come from a variety of sources, but a dental exam can help determine if your TMJ is the culprit.
Not usually! Most cases of TMD can be treated with simple, non-invasive options like custom night guards, orthodontics, bite adjustments, or muscle relaxation techniques. Surgery is rarely necessary and is only considered for extreme cases. Our goal is to relieve your pain with the easiest, most effective treatments so you can get back to feeling comfortable and pain-free.
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