TMJ treatment is dental care for pain and stiffness in the jaw joints and the muscles that move them. At Redondo Beach Dental Group we evaluate jaw pain and start with simple, reversible care. Our office is a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Jaw problems are common. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, temporomandibular disorders affect about 5% of U.S. adults (estimates vary) and are twice as common in women as in men. Call (310) 542-6988 if your jaw has been sore, stiff or locking.
What TMJ and TMD Mean
The temporomandibular joints, one in front of each ear, connect your lower jaw to your skull and let it hinge and slide. People often say “TMJ” when they mean a problem with these joints. The clinical term is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, which covers pain in the jaw muscles, problems inside the joint, and arthritis in the joint.
Signs Your Jaw Pain May Be TMD
The most common sign of TMD is pain in the jaw joint or the chewing muscles. Other signs include:
- Pain that spreads to the face, temples, neck or ears
- Painful clicking, popping or grating when you open or close your mouth
- Trouble opening wide to yawn, speak or chew
- A jaw that locks or catches open or closed
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Frequent headaches
- A change in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together
A jaw that clicks without any pain is common and usually needs no treatment. Clicking becomes worth a visit when it comes with pain, stiffness or locking.
What Can Cause It
In many people the exact cause of TMD is never clear, and many cases improve on their own. Factors that can play a part include stress, clenching or grinding your teeth, arthritis in the joint, and an injury to the head, neck or jaw. Research does not support the old idea that a “bad bite” or braces cause TMD, which is one reason careful dentists avoid permanent changes to the teeth as a first treatment.
How We Evaluate Jaw Pain
A cracked tooth, an infected tooth or gum problems can all feel like jaw pain, so the first job is to rule those out. At your visit we will:
- Ask where the pain is, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and whether you have headaches or neck pain
- Review your medical history and any medications
- Check how far and how smoothly your jaw opens, and press on the joints and muscles for tenderness
- Examine your teeth for wear, cracks and signs of clenching or grinding
- Take X-rays if they are needed, and in some cases 3D cone beam imaging of the jaw joints
There is no single test that diagnoses TMD. The diagnosis comes from your history and the exam together, and we will tell you plainly if what we find points to a problem outside dentistry.
TMJ Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the symptoms are. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends conservative, reversible care first, and that is where we start.
Self-care and jaw exercises
The first step is often to rest the jaw: softer foods for a while, no gum, no wide yawns, heat or cold on the sore side, and gentle relaxation exercises for the jaw and face. Learning to notice daytime clenching and keep your teeth apart helps too.
A custom oral appliance
If clenching or grinding is part of the problem, a custom appliance that fits over your teeth can take pressure off the joints and muscles, especially at night. These appliances are also called splints or bite guards. A well-made one does not change your teeth or your bite, so the step is reversible. For many patients that means a custom night guard made from impressions or a scan of their teeth.
Repairing damaged teeth
Years of clenching can crack or wear down teeth. If a broken tooth or a failing filling is adding to the problem, restoring it can help you chew comfortably again. A cracked back tooth, for example, may need a crown, and in many cases we can place a same-day crown in one visit.
Referral when you need more
If your symptoms do not improve, or the exam points to a joint problem that needs a closer look, we can talk with you about a referral. That may be to a physical therapist who works with jaw muscles, to a dentist who limits their practice to orofacial pain, or to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Jaw surgery is uncommon and is usually considered only after other treatments have not helped.
When to Call Sooner
Most jaw soreness can wait for a regular appointment. If jaw pain follows a blow to the face, get medical care first. For other changes, such as a jaw that catches or locks, or a bite that feels different, call us and mention it when you book.
Jaw Pain, Grinding and Sleep
TMD often comes with headaches and poor sleep. If you wake with a tight jaw, or you snore and feel tired during the day, mention it at your visit. Snoring and tiredness can point to a sleep breathing problem, which has to be diagnosed by a sleep physician, and some patients are later fitted for an oral appliance as part of sleep apnea treatment.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
What TMJ Treatment Costs and How Insurance Handles It
The cost of TMJ treatment depends on what you need: an exam and self-care advice, a custom appliance, repair of damaged teeth, or care from other providers. Ask for an estimate once we know which treatment fits.
Insurance for TMD varies more than for most dental care. Some dental plans limit or exclude TMD treatment, and in some cases a medical plan covers part of it instead. Ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. We accept PPO plans, and for costs your plan does not cover we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a regular dentist treat TMJ?
A general dentist can evaluate and treat many cases of TMJ pain. That usually means ruling out tooth problems, advising on self-care and jaw exercises, and making a custom oral appliance. If symptoms do not improve or the problem is more complex, a general dentist refers you to a physical therapist, an orofacial pain dentist or an oral surgeon.
What kind of dentist is best for TMJ?
For most people with new jaw pain, a general dentist is a sensible first stop, because many cases respond to simple care and an oral appliance. Dentists who limit their practice to orofacial pain focus on complex and long-lasting cases, and oral surgeons handle the rare cases that need surgery.
Is it better to go to a doctor or dentist for TMJ?
A dentist is usually the better place to start for jaw pain, because a dentist can check whether a tooth or your bite is involved and can make an oral appliance. See your physician as well if you have other symptoms such as widespread pain, ear problems or swollen joints elsewhere in your body.
How much does TMJ treatment usually cost?
The cost of TMJ treatment depends on what you need, from an exam and self-care advice to a custom oral appliance or repair of damaged teeth. Redondo Beach Dental Group can give you an estimate once your exam shows which treatment fits.
Will insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Insurance coverage for TMJ treatment varies widely. Some dental plans limit or exclude it, and some medical plans cover part of it. Ask us how your plan applies to this treatment.
Is TMJ 100% curable?
TMJ disorders do not have a single cure, but many cases get better on their own or with simple, conservative care. Some people have symptoms that come and go or last longer, and for them the goal is to manage pain and keep the jaw working comfortably.
What is the 3 finger test for TMJ?
The three finger test is an informal check of how wide your mouth opens. You stack three fingers vertically and see whether they fit between your upper and lower front teeth. If they do not fit comfortably, mention it to your dentist, but the test alone does not diagnose TMD.
Schedule a TMJ Evaluation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online, and tell us about your jaw symptoms when you book. TMJ care is part of the general and family dentistry we provide in Redondo Beach.