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
tassabeeh morsy
1 week ago
Trust is not easily earned, especially when it comes to something many of us fear — a visit to the dentist. Yet Dr. Enas has gained that trust through her skill and genuine kindness. I’ve been her patient for over eight years, and not once have I considered going to any other clinic. Every time I walk into her clinic, I leave with a smile and the comforting feeling that I’m in the best hands.💕
I sincerely recommend Dr. Enas to anyone seeking an honest, gentle, and highly professional dentist in a beautiful clinic with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 💕
Moumnah Khan
2 weeks ago
I had an amazing experience at White Orchid Dentistry and would highly recommend to anyone! Dr. Lara and her team are highly skilled and ensured a proper and safe dental cleaning and filling. Everyone was incredibly professional and friendly and made me feel very welcomed. The dental office was also very clean and neat. Thank you for an amazing experience, and would definitely recommend this place.
mohammad ayhem
1 month ago
I had an exceptional experience at White Orchid Dentistry! The team went above and beyond my expectations for a dental cleaning. Everyone was incredibly nice, making me feel welcome and comfortable. Dr. Enas is highly skilled and experienced dentist, ensuring a thorough and gentle cleaning. I couldn't be happier with the care I received and highly recommend White Orchid Dentistry to anyone in need of dental services. Thank you for such a fantastic visit and very clean, modern and neat office!
azhar saeed
1 month ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently visited the dental clinic and had an exceptional experience with Dr. Enas. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and at ease. Dr. Enas is not only highly skilled but also incredibly compassionate, taking the time to explain every procedure and answer all my questions.
Her assistants were equally impressive, providing a supportive and friendly atmosphere that made my visit even more comfortable. The clinic itself is spotless, reflecting a strong commitment to hygiene and patient care. I also noticed that they use updated equipment, which gave me confidence in the quality of care I was receiving.
Overall, I highly recommend this dental clinic to anyone looking for a professional and caring dental experience. Thank you, Dr. Enas and team, for making my visit so pleasant!
suyang zhang
4 months ago
This dental clinic is perfect - conveniently located near my home, with friendly staff and highly professional dentists. Both my parents love this place. My mother, who is very sensitive to pain, mentioned that the dentist was exceptionally patient and skilled, making her experience virtually pain-free. I would recommend this clinic to all my friends.
tassabeeh morsy
1 week ago
Trust is not easily earned, especially when it comes to something many of us fear — a visit to the dentist. Yet Dr. Enas has gained that trust through her skill and genuine kindness. I’ve been her patient for over eight years, and not once have I considered going to any other clinic. Every time I walk into her clinic, I leave with a smile and the comforting feeling that I’m in the best hands.💕
I sincerely recommend Dr. Enas to anyone seeking an honest, gentle, and highly professional dentist in a beautiful clinic with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 💕
Moumnah Khan
2 weeks ago
I had an amazing experience at White Orchid Dentistry and would highly recommend to anyone! Dr. Lara and her team are highly skilled and ensured a proper and safe dental cleaning and filling. Everyone was incredibly professional and friendly and made me feel very welcomed. The dental office was also very clean and neat. Thank you for an amazing experience, and would definitely recommend this place.
mohammad ayhem
1 month ago
I had an exceptional experience at White Orchid Dentistry! The team went above and beyond my expectations for a dental cleaning. Everyone was incredibly nice, making me feel welcome and comfortable. Dr. Enas is highly skilled and experienced dentist, ensuring a thorough and gentle cleaning. I couldn't be happier with the care I received and highly recommend White Orchid Dentistry to anyone in need of dental services. Thank you for such a fantastic visit and very clean, modern and neat office!
azhar saeed
1 month ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently visited the dental clinic and had an exceptional experience with Dr. Enas. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and at ease. Dr. Enas is not only highly skilled but also incredibly compassionate, taking the time to explain every procedure and answer all my questions.
Her assistants were equally impressive, providing a supportive and friendly atmosphere that made my visit even more comfortable. The clinic itself is spotless, reflecting a strong commitment to hygiene and patient care. I also noticed that they use updated equipment, which gave me confidence in the quality of care I was receiving.
Overall, I highly recommend this dental clinic to anyone looking for a professional and caring dental experience. Thank you, Dr. Enas and team, for making my visit so pleasant!
suyang zhang
4 months ago
This dental clinic is perfect - conveniently located near my home, with friendly staff and highly professional dentists. Both my parents love this place. My mother, who is very sensitive to pain, mentioned that the dentist was exceptionally patient and skilled, making her experience virtually pain-free. I would recommend this clinic to all my friends.
