Waking up with headaches? Hearing clicking or popping when you open your mouth? Dealing with jaw pain that won’t quit? You might have a TMJ disorder—and you’re definitely not alone. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction affects millions of people and can significantly impact your quality of life.
At Dentistry on 43, we diagnose and treat TMJ disorders with the goal of minimizing out-of-house referrals. Our comprehensive approach addresses the root causes of your discomfort and creates a personalized treatment plan that actually works.
Your temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, acting like sliding hinges on each side of your face. These joints—along with the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and cartilage—allow you to talk, chew, and yawn.
TMJ disorders (also called TMD) occur when something goes wrong with these joints or the muscles that control them. The result can be pain, limited movement, uncomfortable clicking or popping sounds, and a cascade of other symptoms that affect your daily life.
TMJ disorders can cause a wide range of symptoms, and many people don’t realize their issues are connected to their jaw:
Direct Jaw Symptoms:
Related Symptoms:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—especially if they’re persistent or worsening—it’s time to get evaluated.
TMJ problems can develop from multiple factors, often working in combination:
Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism): Chronic grinding or clenching puts enormous pressure on your TMJ and surrounding muscles. Many people grind their teeth at night without realizing it.
Jaw Injury: Impact to the jaw from accidents, sports injuries, or other trauma can damage the joint or surrounding structures.
Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint, causing pain and limiting movement.
Bite Problems: When teeth don’t fit together properly (malocclusion), it can strain the jaw joint and muscles. This is why we often coordinate TMJ treatment with orthodontic solutions like Invisalign.
Stress and Muscle Tension: Physical and emotional stress often manifests as jaw clenching and muscle tension, contributing to TMJ pain.
Disc Displacement: The cushioning disc between your jaw and skull can slip out of position, causing clicking, popping, or locking.
Proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. During your evaluation, we’ll:
This comprehensive evaluation helps us understand what’s causing your TMJ issues and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.
TMJ treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. We start with conservative approaches and only move to more involved treatments if necessary.
Many TMJ patients benefit from a custom-fitted night guard or splint that:
Unlike drugstore options, our custom appliances are designed specifically for your mouth and treatment goals.
Our Certified Orofacial Myologist can help retrain the muscles around your jaw to function properly. Orofacial myology therapy addresses muscle imbalances and improper movement patterns that contribute to TMJ pain.
If your bite alignment is contributing to TMJ problems, we can discuss solutions ranging from minor adjustments to comprehensive treatment with Invisalign. Correcting how your teeth come together often provides significant relief.
We’ll work with you on practical strategies to reduce TMJ strain:
For acute pain or inflammation, we may recommend:
If conservative treatments don’t provide adequate relief, we can discuss more advanced options or coordinate referrals with oral surgeons when necessary.
TMJ disorders don’t just affect your jaw—they impact your overall quality of life. Chronic pain, poor sleep from grinding, and constant headaches take a toll on your physical and mental well-being.
Our approach recognizes these connections. We often work alongside other aspects of your care, such as sleep apnea treatment if breathing issues are involved, or coordinate with physical therapists and chiropractors when muscle and posture issues extend beyond the jaw.
Most patients see improvement within a few weeks to months of starting treatment, though timelines vary based on severity and underlying causes.
TMJ treatment is often progressive:
The goal isn’t just to mask symptoms—it’s to resolve the underlying dysfunction so you can live comfortably without ongoing pain.
Don’t wait until TMJ pain becomes unbearable. Early intervention often means simpler, more effective treatment. Schedule an evaluation if you:
Even if your symptoms seem minor, getting evaluated can prevent them from worsening and help you avoid more complex treatments later.
Living with jaw pain and headaches isn’t normal, and you don’t have to put up with it. Our team can diagnose what’s causing your TMJ issues and create a treatment plan that brings real relief.
Call us at (780) 500-1001 or book online to schedule your comprehensive TMJ evaluation. We’ll take the time to understand your symptoms, identify the root causes, and guide you toward feeling better—without the referral runaround.
Some mild TMJ symptoms may resolve with rest and self-care, especially if they’re triggered by temporary stress or minor injury. However, chronic or worsening TMJ disorders rarely disappear without treatment. In fact, ignoring TMJ problems can lead to more severe pain, joint damage, and worn teeth. Early intervention typically leads to faster, more complete relief and helps prevent long-term complications.
Many people don’t realize they grind their teeth because it happens while they’re sleeping. Common signs include waking up with jaw soreness or headaches, tooth sensitivity, worn or flattened teeth, indentations on your tongue, and a partner reporting grinding sounds. During your dental exam, we can spot physical evidence of grinding like worn enamel or tooth damage and recommend a custom night guard for protection.
The vast majority of TMJ patients respond well to conservative treatments like oral appliances, therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Surgery is rarely necessary and is typically only considered when non-invasive treatments haven’t provided relief after months of consistent effort, or when there’s significant structural damage to the joint. We always start with the least invasive approaches and only discuss surgery if it becomes medically necessary.
Most patients notice some improvement within 2-4 weeks of starting treatment, though complete relief may take several months depending on the severity of your condition and underlying causes. Custom night guards often provide noticeable relief within the first few weeks, while therapies like orofacial myology or orthodontic treatment work more gradually. Consistency with your treatment plan is key—wearing your appliance as directed and following through with exercises makes a significant difference in outcomes.
Coverage varies significantly by insurance plan. Diagnostic exams are typically covered under regular dental benefits. Custom night guards may be partially covered, though some plans categorize them as cosmetic. Treatments like Invisalign for bite correction or orofacial myology therapy may have different coverage rules. Our team can help you understand your specific benefits and provide documentation for insurance submission. We also offer financing options to make treatment accessible regardless of coverage.
