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
Yi Ethan Wang
1 week ago
I was really surprised that Dr. Ken knew every single problem with my teeth just by examining them and touching my teeth and face, even pointing out problems I experienced when I was very young. He gave me a lot of advice and helped fill my teeth, I had a very happy experience with Dr. Ken and his team. Additionally, Vivian is the best dental hygienist I have ever met. She is so nice and gentle.
Arthur Hung
1 month ago
Doctor Ken and all staff members were super professional with the works! I haven't visited a dentist in some time, and decided to visit Charm Dental for some long overdue check ups and care. Clinic environment and, once again, staff members were all very warm and comforting. I had my initial assessment and just had my second filling appointment done so far. I would definitely recommend those looking for some dental care to visit this clinic!
Shanisha Pillay
1 month ago
I had an exceptional experience at Charm Dental. From the moment I arrived, their accommodating nature shone through, as they were incredibly understanding even though I was late to my appointment. The team was exceptionally flexible with scheduling, making it easy for me to find a time that worked best for me. Moreover, their dedication to transparency regarding insurance coverage was remarkable. They took the time to thoroughly explain what was covered by my insurance and what expenses I would need to cover out-of-pocket, ensuring there were no surprises. This level of clarity and honesty was truly refreshing. The dentists are absolute experts in their field. They were incredibly informative, taking the time to explain every aspect of my dental care and the procedures I needed. Their professionalism and expertise instilled confidence in me throughout my visit. My experience here exceeded all expectations. Their accommodating nature, transparency, expertise, and modern facility make them a standout choice for dental care. I highly recommend to anyone seeking exceptional dental services in the Brentwood area!
Vivian Cai
2 months ago
Thank you Dr. Ken and your team for giving me the opportunity to shadow you. As a dental hygiene student, I had a wonderful experience learning from your team. Dr. Ken is professional and knowledgeable. Amber is the best hygienist with skilled and caring. Both are dedicated to and concerned about patients' oral health. All the staff are incredibly kind and supportive. It was my honor to meet your team!
Marlla Lam
4 months ago
My recent visits to Charm Dental are the best experiences at any dental office by far! The office is beautiful and staff are so kind. Everyone in the office is so personable, so it’s easy to feel comfortable. Dr. Ken is extremely knowledgeable, skilled, and so gentle with his work. He really takes his time, and talks you through the process and ensures you’re doing okay. As somebody who has never liked going to the dentist, I’m so happy I’ve found Charm Dental. Dr. Ken and the team are exceptional!
Yi Ethan Wang
1 week ago
I was really surprised that Dr. Ken knew every single problem with my teeth just by examining them and touching my teeth and face, even pointing out problems I experienced when I was very young. He gave me a lot of advice and helped fill my teeth, I had a very happy experience with Dr. Ken and his team. Additionally, Vivian is the best dental hygienist I have ever met. She is so nice and gentle.
Arthur Hung
1 month ago
Doctor Ken and all staff members were super professional with the works! I haven't visited a dentist in some time, and decided to visit Charm Dental for some long overdue check ups and care. Clinic environment and, once again, staff members were all very warm and comforting. I had my initial assessment and just had my second filling appointment done so far. I would definitely recommend those looking for some dental care to visit this clinic!
Shanisha Pillay
1 month ago
I had an exceptional experience at Charm Dental. From the moment I arrived, their accommodating nature shone through, as they were incredibly understanding even though I was late to my appointment. The team was exceptionally flexible with scheduling, making it easy for me to find a time that worked best for me. Moreover, their dedication to transparency regarding insurance coverage was remarkable. They took the time to thoroughly explain what was covered by my insurance and what expenses I would need to cover out-of-pocket, ensuring there were no surprises. This level of clarity and honesty was truly refreshing. The dentists are absolute experts in their field. They were incredibly informative, taking the time to explain every aspect of my dental care and the procedures I needed. Their professionalism and expertise instilled confidence in me throughout my visit. My experience here exceeded all expectations. Their accommodating nature, transparency, expertise, and modern facility make them a standout choice for dental care. I highly recommend to anyone seeking exceptional dental services in the Brentwood area!
Vivian Cai
2 months ago
Thank you Dr. Ken and your team for giving me the opportunity to shadow you. As a dental hygiene student, I had a wonderful experience learning from your team. Dr. Ken is professional and knowledgeable. Amber is the best hygienist with skilled and caring. Both are dedicated to and concerned about patients' oral health. All the staff are incredibly kind and supportive. It was my honor to meet your team!
Marlla Lam
4 months ago
My recent visits to Charm Dental are the best experiences at any dental office by far! The office is beautiful and staff are so kind. Everyone in the office is so personable, so it’s easy to feel comfortable. Dr. Ken is extremely knowledgeable, skilled, and so gentle with his work. He really takes his time, and talks you through the process and ensures you’re doing okay. As somebody who has never liked going to the dentist, I’m so happy I’ve found Charm Dental. Dr. Ken and the team are exceptional!
