A Complex Problem Worth Solving Right
Jaw pain, headaches, clicking, popping, difficulty chewing. You've tried night guards, muscle relaxants, maybe a chiropractor. The pain comes back. Nothing fixes it long-term.
TMJ treatment here isn't a night guard and a handshake. It's diagnosing the root issue and addressing it. The process takes longer. The results last.
Benefits of TMJ Treatment
Relieves Jaw Pain and Tension
Protects Teeth From Wear
Improves Daily Comfort
Why Patients Choose Dr. Chris for TMJ Treatment
TMJ pain is rarely just one problem. It can involve your bite, jaw joints, muscles, airway, stress, grinding habits, and past dental work.
Dr. Chris takes time to understand what is causing the strain before recommending treatment. The goal is not just short-term relief, but a plan that supports better comfort and function over time.
- TMJ video analysis - watch how your jaw moves, identify dysfunction patterns
- CBCT imaging - evaluate joint structure, check for degeneration or displacement
- Bite analysis - see where teeth contact, whether that's forcing jaw compensation
- Muscle palpation and range-of-motion testing - assess tension and mobility
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Ways We Can Help Your Jaw Feel Better
Custom Oral Appliance
Bite Evaluation
Muscle and Habit Guidance
Tooth Wear Repair
How TMJ Treatment Works at Livewell
Then we build a plan. Sometimes one intervention, sometimes phased over months. We walk through options, timeline, and what to expect.
Occlusal adjustment - reshape teeth to eliminate bite interferences
Restorative work - rebuild worn teeth to restore bite height
Orthodontics - realign teeth to correct bite long-term
Full mouth reconstruction - comprehensive rebuild if needed
Treatment is customized to your case. What's causing your TMJ is specific to you.
TMJ disorders have multiple potential causes. Common ones include bite misalignment (teeth don't fit together evenly), tooth wear from grinding or clenching, trauma to the jaw, arthritis in the joint, and muscle tension from stress or posture. Often it's a combination of factors. Diagnosis involves figuring out which factors are driving your specific case.
Common symptoms include jaw pain, headaches (especially in the temples), clicking or popping when you open or close your mouth, difficulty chewing, ear pain or ringing, neck and shoulder tension, and limited jaw movement. If you're experiencing any of these regularly, an evaluation can determine if TMJ dysfunction is the cause.
A night guard can help manage symptoms by preventing tooth damage from grinding and reducing pressure on the joint. But it doesn't fix the underlying cause. If your bite is misaligned or your teeth are worn down, a guard protects what's left but doesn't restore proper function. Long-term relief usually requires addressing the root issue.
It depends on the cause and the treatment. Occlusal adjustment might be completed in one or two visits. Splint therapy can take several months. Restorative work or orthodontics can take six months to a year or longer. We give you a timeline during the treatment planning phase based on your specific case.
The diagnostic process is not painful. Treatment varies depending on what's involved. Occlusal adjustment is usually done with local anesthesia. Restorative work (crowns, onlays) involves the same level of discomfort as any dental procedure. Splint therapy is non-invasive. Most patients report that any discomfort during treatment is far less bothersome than the chronic pain they were living with before.
It depends on the treatment and your insurance plan. Some TMJ treatments are covered as medically necessary (like splints or restorative work to correct bite issues). Others may be considered elective. We'll help you understand your coverage and provide documentation for insurance claims.
Mild TMJ symptoms sometimes resolve with rest, stress reduction, and avoiding hard foods. But if there's an underlying structural problem (bite misalignment, worn teeth, joint degeneration), the issue usually doesn't go away without treatment. Ignoring it can lead to worsening symptoms and more extensive damage over time.
Untreated TMJ disorders can lead to chronic pain, progressive tooth wear, worsening joint damage, and reduced quality of life. The jaw joint can degenerate over time if it's constantly under stress. Teeth can crack or wear down to the point where they need extensive restorative work. Early treatment prevents these outcomes.