Wondering if TMJ & Jaw Treatment is right for you?
Book NowWondering if TMJ & Jaw Treatment is right for you?
Book NowTMJ & Jaw Treatment
TMJ & jaw pain treatment at Designing Smiles focuses on understanding where your pain is coming from — muscles, joints, bite, or habits — and then building a plan that eases tension, protects your teeth, and makes everyday life more comfortable.
Quick facts at a glance
Non-surgical approach
Many TMJ and jaw pain cases can be improved with non-surgical treatment.
Thorough diagnosis
We start with a careful exam, photos, and bite assessment before recommending anything.
Who It Helps
- •People who wake up with jaw pain, tightness, or headaches
- •Patients who notice popping, clicking, or locking when they open wide
- •Anyone who feels their jaw gets tired or sore when talking, chewing, or working at a computer
- •Patients who grind or clench (especially during stressful seasons at work or home)
- •People who have tried "just living with it" and are ready for a more structured plan
Is TMJ treatment right for you?
Do you wake up with jaw soreness, stiffness, or headaches that ease as the day goes on?
This pattern often points to nighttime clenching or grinding. A custom night guard plus bite and muscle evaluation can make a big difference.
If pain isn't tied to mornings, we'll look more closely at daytime posture, stress habits, and how your teeth meet when you chew.
Do you hear clicks or pops near your ears, or has your jaw ever locked open or closed?
These signs can indicate joint or disc involvement in the TMJ. We may recommend imaging and a gentle, joint-focused plan before things worsen.
Even without noises, muscles and bite can still be overloaded. We'll focus more on muscle tension, bite balance, and grinding patterns.
Do you get headaches, temple pressure, or ear fullness that hasn't been clearly explained elsewhere?
These can be referred symptoms from overworked jaw muscles. A TMJ exam can help rule in or out a dental contribution.
If your discomfort is mostly in the jaw joints or teeth, we'll target those areas first and coordinate with your physician where needed.
Do you notice yourself clenching during emails, traffic, or intense focus?
We combine bite protection with practical habit coaching and, when appropriate, Botox for TMD to reduce muscle overuse.
Even if you don't notice clenching, micro-tension and bite issues can be present. Our exam helps uncover quieter patterns.
What It Might Mean
Jaw pain and TMJ issues rarely come from just one thing. Often it's a mix of tight muscles, a stressed joint, and teeth that don't quite meet in a relaxed position. Our role is to sort out which of these is dominant for you — so you're not guessing or trying one random solution after another.
How We Diagnose
We start with a conversation about your symptoms — when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how they're affecting your day and sleep.
We examine your jaw joints, muscles, and bite, checking how wide you can open, where you feel tenderness, and how your teeth come together.
When appropriate, we use imaging (including CBCT when indicated) and photos to better understand jaw position, joint space, and tooth wear.
We then map your findings into a simple summary: muscle-driven pain, joint-driven pain, bite-driven overload, or a combination — and build a plan around that.
Our process
Step-by-step approach to your treatment
A step-by-step approach to TMJ relief
Technology & Approach
We use modern digital X-rays and CBCT when needed to map roots, bone, and nerves before we begin.
First visit
We listen to your story, examine your jaw, muscles, and bite, and, when appropriate, capture photos and imaging. You leave with an initial explanation — not a mystery.
Planning
We summarise what's driving your symptoms and outline a phased plan: what we can do now, what to watch, and what might come later if needed.
Appliance or Botox visit (if recommended)
We take impressions or scans for a night guard, or perform Botox for TMD using careful, conservative dosing.
Fitting and fine-tuning
Your appliance is fitted and adjusted to feel secure but comfortable. We show you how to use and care for it, and what to watch for.
Follow-ups
We review symptoms, adjust the appliance if needed, and refine your plan based on how your jaw is responding over the first weeks and months.
Longevity & Maintenance
How Long It Lasts
With ongoing night guard use, healthy home care, and check-ups, many patients maintain comfortable, stable jaw function for years — even as life remains busy and stressful.
What Affects Longevity
Stress levels, bite changes, consistency with appliance use, and overall health habits all play a role in maintaining jaw comfort over time.
Routine Care
Wear your night guard as recommended, especially during high-stress periods. Bring your appliance to check-ups so we can clean, evaluate, and adjust it. Watch for patterns — headaches, new noises, or bite changes — and let us know early. Support your jaw with overall health basics: sleep, hydration, and realistic stress management.
Treatment Options
Most TMJ & jaw pain plans are built from a few main building blocks. Your plan may use one or several of these steps, depending on how complex your case is.
Custom night guard (bite splint)
Learn more →A precisely fitted appliance that you wear at night to reduce grinding forces, protect your teeth, and guide your jaw into a more relaxed position.
Good for: Nighttime clenching, morning soreness, tooth wear, and headaches on waking.
Botox for TMD
Learn more →Targeted, low-dose Botox is placed in overactive jaw muscles to reduce clenching intensity, ease pain, and break the cycle of overuse.
Good for: Persistent muscle pain, tension headaches, or clenching that hasn't responded to night guard alone.
Bite balancing or restorative adjustments
Fine-tuning the way your teeth meet, or restoring worn/broken teeth, so your bite is more stable and your jaw doesn't have to fight to find a comfortable position.
Good for: Uneven contact, one or two "high" teeth, or visible wear patterns that overload certain areas.
Habit and lifestyle coaching
Simple, realistic strategies to keep your jaw relaxed during the day — posture checks, breathing, tongue position, and knowing when to gently rest instead of clench.
Good for: Desk work, long commutes, stressful seasons, and anyone who notices they "carry stress in the jaw".
Collaboration & referrals when needed
If we see signs that your TMJ issues overlap with sleep apnea, ENT concerns, or other medical conditions, we coordinate care instead of trying to solve everything in isolation.
Comfort Approach
TMJ visits are intentionally slower and more conversational. Many patients arrive already exhausted by pain and trial-and-error treatments. We pause often to check in, minimise time with your mouth open, and use sedation options when combined treatment or restorative work would otherwise be overwhelming.
Recovery & Follow-Up
- •Most people feel no downtime after a TMJ evaluation or night guard fitting.
- •Botox for TMD has minimal social downtime; you can typically return to work and normal activities the same day.
- •The bigger "recovery" is giving your jaw muscles time to unlearn old patterns — we usually track progress over several weeks to months, not days.
- •Follow-up visits are focused on listening and fine-tuning: we adjust appliances, revisit habits, and keep refining until your plan feels sustainable.
What to Expect Over Time
Short-Term
Many patients notice some easing of morning soreness and headaches within the first few weeks of consistent appliance use or Botox for TMD.
Medium-Term
Over 3–6 months, we often see better range of motion, fewer flare-ups, and less need for emergency pain medication.
Long-Term
With ongoing night guard use, healthy home care, and check-ups, many patients maintain comfortable, stable jaw function for years — even as life remains busy and stressful.
Investment & Coverage
What to expect for cost
We walk you through fees for night guards, Botox for TMD, imaging, and any restorative work separately. Many plans are phased so you can start with the most helpful step and add later as needed. When insurance applies, we help estimate coverage and outline payment options for out-of-pocket portions.
We'll provide a personalized cost estimate during your consultation. You'll receive a written treatment plan before we begin any work.
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Conditions and symptoms this procedure addresses
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