Jaw pain is not normal.
If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may seem normal to you. The truth is, jaw pain is far from normal and may be a symptom of a condition called TMD from one or both of your TMJs. Those are the joints of your lower jaw, called TemporoMandibular Joints. When disease or misalignment occurs, the TMJ and surrounding area becomes inflamed — which is what causes pain and other symptoms.
- Headaches
- Earaches, tenderness around the ear
- Face or jaw pain and tenderness
- Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back
- Ringing in the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
- Difficulty chewing, yawning or opening your mouth
What are the signs of TMJ disorder (TMD)?
How do we diagnose and treat TMJ disorder?
Diagnosis
Treatment of TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical examination, to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will check for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If the disorder is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.
Treatment and Relief
Our treatment application involves bite splints, which are custom-created plastic mouthpieces, designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These type of devices prevent the grinding and clenching that often causes or worsens TMD. The splint also realigns the jaw, removing stress on the surrounding area.
Alternative Treatment Options
If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are the cause of your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite is placing undue pressure on the TMJ’s, we may suggest reshaping individual teeth to redistribute the bite force evenly.
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. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed we refer to that as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD for short.
Signs or symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth, and a clicking, popping, crunching or grinding noise when you chew, yawn or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches.
TMD is caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries and joint disease, such as arthritis. It’s believed that bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and head or neck muscle tension may make TMD symptoms worse. Stress is also a possible factor. However, it is not clear if stress causes TMD or is a result. Other things that may lead to TMDs are partial or full dentures that are not the right fit and certain habits such as fingernail biting and pen or pencil biting. As you can see, there are an array of different causes which makes TMD hard to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms are to book an appointment.
There are many possible causes of headaches. No doctor will be able to determine the cause of your headache without a physical examination.
Most often, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non-invasive treatments and therapies. In very rare circumstances, TMD may require surgery. Your health and happiness are both important to us. We will always present you with all of your options, work through the safest and easiest options first, and give you the final decision on what happens next.
Google Verified Patient Reviews
Dale Hawtin
2 months ago
I had a great experience at Upper Beach Dental. Antonella and Ria at the front reception were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and professional. They made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in and were always happy to help with any questions. Excellent customer service and a very positive atmosphere. Highly recommend!
masoumeh pashapour
4 months ago
I had a really great experience at Upper Beaches Dental. The dentist was very thorough and took the time to explain everything clearly, which I really appreciated. The staff were also friendly and made the whole visit feel easy and comfortable. You can tell they genuinely care about their patients. I’d definitely recommend this clinic to anyone looking for quality dental care
Aydin Sohrabi
4 months ago
I had a great experience at Upper Beaches Dental. Dr. Sara is extremely professional, detail-oriented, and clearly very knowledgeable. She took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire process.
The staff are also wonderful—friendly, organized, and very welcoming from the moment you walk in. You can really tell that they care about their patients and take pride in their work.
Highly recommend this clinic if you’re looking for high-quality, precise dental care!
Emily J
4 months ago
The clinic is very clean, well-organized, and has a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you walk in. The staff are friendly, professional, and make you feel comfortable right away.
The dental team is knowledgeable and takes the time to explain procedures clearly. Everything feels efficient and well-managed, and you can tell they prioritize both hygiene and patient care.
Overall, a very professional and pleasant experience—I would definitely recommend this office to anyone looking for quality dental care
Amanda Wallace
5 months ago
My family and I have been going to Upper Beaches Dental for almost 2 years and we are extremely pleased with the dental care we have received. Dr. Sara Amini is wonderful with my two kids and her gentle approach has made them feel comfortable at the dentist. The team of hygienists are great and we have all had good experiences with our dental cleanings. I also appreciate the efficient manner in which in the administrative side of the office is managed. It is easy to book appointments and also be fit in for anything urgent. Antonella handles all of the benefit plans and billing which is a great to help to me as she is organized and on top of it all.
I highly recommend Upper Beaches Dental if you’re looking for a new dentist.
Dale Hawtin
2 months ago
I had a great experience at Upper Beach Dental. Antonella and Ria at the front reception were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and professional. They made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in and were always happy to help with any questions. Excellent customer service and a very positive atmosphere. Highly recommend!
masoumeh pashapour
4 months ago
I had a really great experience at Upper Beaches Dental. The dentist was very thorough and took the time to explain everything clearly, which I really appreciated. The staff were also friendly and made the whole visit feel easy and comfortable. You can tell they genuinely care about their patients. I’d definitely recommend this clinic to anyone looking for quality dental care
Aydin Sohrabi
4 months ago
I had a great experience at Upper Beaches Dental. Dr. Sara is extremely professional, detail-oriented, and clearly very knowledgeable. She took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire process.
The staff are also wonderful—friendly, organized, and very welcoming from the moment you walk in. You can really tell that they care about their patients and take pride in their work.
Highly recommend this clinic if you’re looking for high-quality, precise dental care!
Emily J
4 months ago
The clinic is very clean, well-organized, and has a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you walk in. The staff are friendly, professional, and make you feel comfortable right away.
The dental team is knowledgeable and takes the time to explain procedures clearly. Everything feels efficient and well-managed, and you can tell they prioritize both hygiene and patient care.
Overall, a very professional and pleasant experience—I would definitely recommend this office to anyone looking for quality dental care
Amanda Wallace
5 months ago
My family and I have been going to Upper Beaches Dental for almost 2 years and we are extremely pleased with the dental care we have received. Dr. Sara Amini is wonderful with my two kids and her gentle approach has made them feel comfortable at the dentist. The team of hygienists are great and we have all had good experiences with our dental cleanings. I also appreciate the efficient manner in which in the administrative side of the office is managed. It is easy to book appointments and also be fit in for anything urgent. Antonella handles all of the benefit plans and billing which is a great to help to me as she is organized and on top of it all.
I highly recommend Upper Beaches Dental if you’re looking for a new dentist.
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