TMJ Treatment Near You
The temporomandibular joints facilitate speech, chewing, and mouth opening by joining your lower jaw to your skull. Temporomandibular disorders, commonly called TMD, can affect these joints, the surrounding muscles, or both.
Jaw pain, recurring headaches, painful clicking, stiffness and difficulty chewing may be signs of TMJ problems. At Forest Heights Dental, our dentist in SE Calgary can examine your jaw movement, discuss your symptoms and check for signs of clenching or teeth grinding.
TMJ Treatment in SE Calgary usually begins with a dental assessment and conservative care. Depending on the cause of your discomfort, treatment may include habit changes, short-term symptom management, physiotherapy, a reversible oral appliance when appropriate, or referral for further evaluation.
If jaw discomfort is affecting your sleep, meals, work or daily routine, contact Forest Heights Dental to arrange an assessment.
Understanding the causes of TMD
TMD does not always have one identifiable cause. Jaw-joint pain may develop after an injury, while muscle-related discomfort may be connected to clenching, grinding or strain. Some patients have more than one contributing factor.
Possible contributing factors include:
- Â An injury or impact involving the jaw, head or neck
- Â Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
- Â Arthritis or changes within the jaw joint
- Â Frequent gum chewing, nail biting or other habits that overwork the jaw
- Â Stress that increases jaw-muscle tension or clenching
- Â Problems involving the joint disc or surrounding soft tissues
A dental examination helps determine whether your symptoms may be related to the jaw joint, chewing muscles, teeth grinding, or another oral health concern.
What are the common TMJ symptoms?
TMD affects people differently. Some experience occasional soreness, while others have persistent pain or limited jaw movement. Common
TMJ symptoms include:
- Jaw joint or chewing muscle pain or soreness
- Â Pain that spreads to the face, ear, temple, or neck
- Â Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
- Â Jaw stiffness or limited movement
- Â A jaw that locks when opening or closing
- Â Painful clicking, popping or grinding sounds
- Â Headaches that occur with jaw pain or muscle tension
- Â A discernible shift in the way the upper and lower teeth meet
- Â Tooth discomfort accompanied by jaw tenderness
Clicking or popping without pain or restricted movement is common and may not require treatment. Persistent pain, locking, or difficulty opening your mouth should be assessed by a dentist or another qualified healthcare professional.
If you have ongoing jaw pain or any of the symptoms above, schedule a consultation. Our dental team will assess your concerns and explain the most suitable next step.
Types of treatment for TMD
Treatment depends on the source, duration and severity of your symptoms. Conservative and reversible options are generally considered before procedures that permanently change the teeth, bite or jaw joint.
Self-care and habit changes
Your dentist may recommend choosing softer foods for a short period, reducing gum chewing, avoiding wide jaw movements and becoming more aware of daytime clenching. Heat or cold therapy and gentle jaw exercises may also be appropriate for some patients.
Custom oral appliances
If clenching or grinding your teeth is making you uncomfortable, a custom night guard or oral appliance may be considered to protect the teeth and reduce strain. The appliance should not be designed to permanently change your bite. Stop using it and contact your dentist if it increases pain.
Medication
Medication may sometimes be recommended to manage pain, inflammation, or muscle tension. The type and duration will depend on your health history and clinical assessment. Follow the directions provided by your dentist, physician or pharmacist.
Physiotherapy or specialist referral
Patients with persistent pain, restricted movement or complex joint symptoms may benefit from physiotherapy or assessment by a healthcare professional with experience in orofacial pain, oral medicine or oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Permanent bite changes, crowns, orthodontic treatment or surgery should not be presented as routine first-line care for TMD. Complex or persistent cases require a careful diagnosis and, when appropriate, specialist assessment.
Book a TMJ assessment in SE Calgary
Jaw pain can make eating, speaking, working, and sleeping uncomfortable. Forest Heights Dental provides personalized assessments for patients seeking TMJ Treatment in SE Calgary.
Patients often reach us after searching for a dentist near me or a dental clinic SE Calgary for jaw pain. Our team can assess your symptoms, explain the possible causes, and recommend an appropriate next step without rushing into irreversible treatment.
Request a TMJ Consultant to discuss jaw pain, headaches, clicking or difficulty opening your mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
Routine dental assessments, oral appliances, and most conservative TMD care are not generally covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. AHCIP covers some medically necessary oral and maxillofacial surgical services. Private dental and extended-health coverage varies, so check your plan before treatment. Our team can provide an estimate for recommended dental care.
There is no single cost because each patient requires a different level of assessment and care. The total may depend on an examination, diagnostic imaging, a custom oral appliance, follow-up visits, medication, physiotherapy, or specialist treatment. Forest Heights Dental will explain the recommended services and provide an estimate before treatment begins.
No single treatment works for every patient. Many people improve with conservative care based on the cause of their symptoms. This may include reducing clenching habits, temporary diet changes, physiotherapy, medication when appropriate, or a reversible oral appliance when grinding is involved. Treatments that permanently alter the teeth, bite or jaw joint are generally avoided unless there is a clear diagnosis and specialist recommendation.
A dentist or primary healthcare provider is often a suitable first point of contact. A dentist can examine your teeth, jaw movement, muscles and signs of grinding or clenching. Depending on the findings, you may be referred to a physiotherapist, orofacial pain provider, oral medicine specialist, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Book an assessment when jaw pain lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, affects chewing or sleep, or is accompanied by locking or limited movement. Sudden severe pain, facial swelling, trauma, or difficulty breathing requires prompt medical or dental attention.