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.
What Our Patients Are Saying
I give the service here a 100 out of 10!
I have recommended it to my family and friends
Google Verified Patient Reviews
Benj Gison
1 month ago
The service from everyone was excellent! The hygienist cleaned my teeth really well and also gave me some great tips on how to keep my mouth healthy. The dentist did a thorough check-up and explained everything clearly.
The place was spotless—the tools and equipment were spotless and sanitized. The staff were so friendly and helpful.
Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it!
Darrell White
1 month ago
Always a great experience going to Splash Dental
Entire Staff right from when you enter with Reception to Hygienist and to Dentist.
Have never had a uncomfortable e perfect, always positive.
Thank you all at Splash Dental
Raisa Chowdhury
1 month ago
Dr. Yasika is the kindest and most gentle dentist I’ve had in a long time! I appreciate the time and care she puts into every visit and I’m glad she’s my dentist. I would refer her to anyone looking for a dentist in Pickering/Durham Region.
Priya Bansal
1 month ago
Throughout the years that I've been a patient at Splash Dental, the level of care that the dentists provide has been exceptional. The dental hygienists have all been kind, informative, and thorough. The receptionists are helpful when navigating insurance and coverage issues. I have recommended Splash Dental to several family friends who had bad experiences in the GTA and one of them said that they would never trust another dentist again after the care that Dr. Andrea provided. It is so nice having dentists you can trust. Splash Dental has been wonderful for me and my family!
Shawntai Edwards
4 months ago
I have a huge fear of the dentist, and Splash Dental completely changed that for me. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel comfortable, welcome, and genuinely cared for. They explained everything clearly and thoroughly, without any judgement, which helped ease so much of my anxiety.
I also brought my toddler in for his very first visit, and they were absolutely amazing with him. They were patient, gentle, and made the whole experience fun for him.
I’m so grateful to have found a dental office that takes such great care of both me and my child. Highly recommend Splash Dental!
Benj Gison
1 month ago
The service from everyone was excellent! The hygienist cleaned my teeth really well and also gave me some great tips on how to keep my mouth healthy. The dentist did a thorough check-up and explained everything clearly.
The place was spotless—the tools and equipment were spotless and sanitized. The staff were so friendly and helpful.
Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it!
Darrell White
1 month ago
Always a great experience going to Splash Dental
Entire Staff right from when you enter with Reception to Hygienist and to Dentist.
Have never had a uncomfortable e perfect, always positive.
Thank you all at Splash Dental
Raisa Chowdhury
1 month ago
Dr. Yasika is the kindest and most gentle dentist I’ve had in a long time! I appreciate the time and care she puts into every visit and I’m glad she’s my dentist. I would refer her to anyone looking for a dentist in Pickering/Durham Region.
Priya Bansal
1 month ago
Throughout the years that I've been a patient at Splash Dental, the level of care that the dentists provide has been exceptional. The dental hygienists have all been kind, informative, and thorough. The receptionists are helpful when navigating insurance and coverage issues. I have recommended Splash Dental to several family friends who had bad experiences in the GTA and one of them said that they would never trust another dentist again after the care that Dr. Andrea provided. It is so nice having dentists you can trust. Splash Dental has been wonderful for me and my family!
Shawntai Edwards
4 months ago
I have a huge fear of the dentist, and Splash Dental completely changed that for me. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel comfortable, welcome, and genuinely cared for. They explained everything clearly and thoroughly, without any judgement, which helped ease so much of my anxiety.
I also brought my toddler in for his very first visit, and they were absolutely amazing with him. They were patient, gentle, and made the whole experience fun for him.
I’m so grateful to have found a dental office that takes such great care of both me and my child. Highly recommend Splash Dental!
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