TMD Treatment

TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, a disorder that affects the jaw joints and muscles. You may also hear it called TMJ or TMJD.

Pain and discomfort in the face and neck, headaches, earaches, dizziness and difficulty chewing.

A thorough examination of your jaw and its muscles to diagnose the problem and develop a plan of care, which may include therapeutic exercises, medications or orthodontic work to correct a bite misalignment.

Anyone with chronic pain or discomfort in the jaw, head, neck or face. An evaluation can treat current symptoms and help prevent more significant long-term problems.

For patients who grind or clench at night, a custom nightguard can help prevent and minimize TMJ problems.

It depends on what your evaluation finds and what your plan includes, such as exercises, a custom nightguard or orthodontic work. We tell you the cost of each step before treatment begins.

Coverage varies: some dental plans cover parts of TMD care, some medical plans do, and some cover neither. Check with both your dental and medical insurance; we can help with your dental insurance benefits.

Treatment aims to ease pain and other symptoms and to protect the jaw from further strain, and it starts with an exam to find what is causing your symptoms. How quickly it helps varies from person to person.

It depends on the cause. Some people feel better within weeks of starting exercises or wearing a nightguard, while others need longer care; your plan lays out the steps.

Eat softer foods, avoid chewing gum and very chewy foods, and try not to clench your teeth during the day. A warm or cold pack on the jaw can ease soreness. If the pain lasts, call us for an evaluation.