Jaw pain is not normal.
Persistent jaw pain is a sign that something’s wrong, whether it’s inflammation, joint misalignment, or stress-related tension. TMD can cause daily discomfort, interfere with basic activities, and radiate pain throughout your head, neck, and shoulders.
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Earaches or tenderness near the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding in the jaw
- Pain while chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
- Tension in your face, jaw, neck, or shoulders
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Jaw that locks or feels “off track”
Common symptoms of TMD:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to seek support, and your trusted Dentist in Langley, BC can help you get to the root of the problem with a thoughtful, step-by-step approach.
How is TMJ disorder diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis
We begin with a detailed clinical exam. We’ll assess your jaw movement, listen for clicking or grinding sounds, check for tenderness in the jaw muscles and joints, and evaluate how your bite aligns. From there, we can determine whether your symptoms are caused by TMD or another condition.
Treatment and Relief
In many cases, TMD can be managed with non-invasive therapies such as:
- Custom bite splints or nightguards: These help prevent clenching and grinding, reduce stress on your jaw joints, and gently guide your jaw into a more relaxed position.
- Jaw alignment therapy: If bite imbalance is contributing to your symptoms, we may recommend minor reshaping of the teeth or adjusting your dental restorations to create a more even bite.
Alternative Treatment Options
Sometimes, the underlying cause of TMD is structural, like missing teeth, a misaligned bite, or ongoing orthodontic issues. In those cases, we may recommend:
- Orthodontic treatment to realign the bite
- Restorative work to replace missing teeth or adjust your bite
- Referrals for physical therapy or specialist care if symptoms persist
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 the temporomandibular joint, your jaw joint. TMD refers to a disorder that affects how this joint functions, often causing pain or difficulty with movement.
TMD can present as pain in the jaw, temples, or ears, clicking or popping sounds, limited jaw movement, or even headaches and neck tension. Each patient may experience a different set of symptoms.
There’s no single cause. TMD may result from jaw injury, arthritis, bite misalignment, teeth grinding (bruxism), stress-related tension, or ill-fitting dentures. Lifestyle habits, like nail-biting or chewing on pens, can also contribute.
TMD can be one of several causes of headaches, particularly tension-type or those radiating from the jaw and neck. A proper exam is the best way to understand the source of your discomfort.
Surgery is a last resort. Most people find relief through non-surgical treatments like bite splints, lifestyle changes, or dental adjustments. We’ll walk you through every option and only consider surgery if all other methods have been explored.
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