General Dentistry
TMJ Treatment
Conservative, least-invasive care for jaw pain, clicking, and other TMJ concerns.
Your temporomandibular joints sit just in front of your ears, where the lower jaw meets the skull. When they get irritated, you might feel pain, hear clicking, or find your jaw doesn’t open as wide as it used to. This is common, and it often gets better with simple care.
Where jaw pain tends to come from
There’s rarely one cause. Clenching and grinding top the list, and stress often makes them worse. An old injury or the way your teeth meet can play a part too. Worth mentioning at a visit: soreness near the ear, popping when you chew, a jaw that catches or feels stiff, and headaches around the temples.
At the exam we ask about your symptoms, watch how your jaw opens and closes, and check how your teeth fit together and whether they show signs of grinding.
Starting with the simplest fixes
We begin with the least invasive options. For many people that means a custom nightguard, gentle jaw exercises, warm compresses, and a few habit changes, such as softer foods for a while. We give these time to work before moving to anything more involved.
Say your jaw clicks and aches after long workdays, and you catch yourself clenching at your desk. A guard at night plus a habit of letting your teeth rest apart during the day could be a reasonable first step.
Some cases need more than a general dentist provides. If yours does, we’ll tell you so and help you find the right specialist.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the signs of a TMJ problem?
- Common signs include jaw pain or tenderness, clicking or popping when you open and close, difficulty chewing, or frequent headaches around the temples. If you're noticing these, it's worth mentioning at your visit.
- What causes TMJ disorders?
- There's often no single cause. Clenching and grinding, stress, jaw injury, and bite issues can all play a role, which is why we start by understanding your particular situation before recommending anything.
- Do I need surgery for TMJ pain?
- For most people, no. Many cases respond well to conservative measures such as a nightguard, gentle jaw exercises, warm compresses, and habit changes. We always begin with the least-invasive options.
- When should I see someone about my jaw?
- If jaw pain, clicking, or limited movement is persistent or interfering with eating and sleeping, come in so we can take a look. If your situation calls for specialized care, we'll help point you in the right direction.