Jaw pain, painful clicking, or headaches? We evaluate your TMJ symptoms and start with conservative, nonsurgical care.
Temporomandibular disorders, often called TMD or TMJ disorders, affect the jaw joints and the muscles used for chewing. They can cause jaw pain, stiffness, headaches, painful clicking, or difficulty opening your mouth. Treatment usually begins with conservative, nonsurgical care based on your symptoms and examination findings.
You may notice that your jaw aches in the morning, catches when you open, or becomes tired while you are eating. Some people notice sensitive teeth or worn enamel before they develop much jaw pain.
We evaluate TMJ symptoms at our Burien office and see patients from Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac, and surrounding communities. We will check whether the pain may be coming from the joints, muscles, teeth, or another problem before recommending treatment.
TMJ, TMD, and Bruxism: What Is the Difference?
These terms are related, but they do not mean the same thing.
| Term | What It Means | How It Relates to Jaw Pain |
|---|---|---|
| TMJ | The temporomandibular joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull | People often use “TMJ” when talking about pain or problems involving this joint |
| TMD | A group of disorders affecting the jaw joints, chewing muscles, or both | TMD can make the jaw painful, stiff, or difficult to move |
| Bruxism | Clenching or grinding the teeth, often during sleep | Bruxism may contribute to muscle pain and tooth wear, but it is not the cause of every TMD case |
Why Choose Burien Dental for TMJ Care?
Burien Dental has served patients in Burien and Normandy Park for more than 35 years. Our two dentists provide comprehensive care in one office and use digital technology to examine dental and jaw problems.
When a custom night guard is appropriate, we take a digital scan instead of using a traditional impression tray. We design and 3D-print the appliance in our in-house dental lab, so the dentist can oversee the fit and make adjustments here in the office.
Our office is at 115 S. 177th Place near QFC, with free parking on-site. We open at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m. on Wednesday, and 7 a.m. on Friday.
Really wonderful experience and top of the line technology. Happy to have found Burien Dental!
Great experience! They explained everything going on with my teeth and gums - very thorough. They also took x-rays and images of my entire mouth and gave be a butter understanding of my wisdom teeth. The cleaning was great at well!
First time visiting and had a very enjoyable and informative visit! Will be coming back for my follow up in 6 months!
Signs You May Need a TMJ Evaluation
Symptoms that may be associated with a TMJ disorder include:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Painful clicking, popping, or grinding
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- A jaw that locks or catches
- Pain or tiredness while chewing
- Headaches around the temples
- Pain that spreads into your face or neck
- Flattened, chipped, or increasingly sensitive teeth
- A change in how your upper and lower teeth fit together
These symptoms do not always mean you have TMD. A cracked tooth, dental infection, sinus problem, ear condition, or another health issue can cause similar discomfort.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
TMD can affect the jaw joints, surrounding muscles, or both. The exact cause is not always clear, and more than one factor may be involved.
- An injury to the jaw or face
- Arthritis or inflammation in the joint
- A problem involving the disc inside the joint
- Strain in the jaw muscles
- Clenching or grinding
- Frequent gum chewing or nail biting
- Stress that increases tension in the jaw muscles
Many patients have more than one contributing factor. That is why we examine the joints, muscles, and teeth and rule out other possible causes before recommending treatment.
How We Evaluate TMJ Symptoms
Before recommending treatment, we work to determine where the pain is coming from and what may be contributing to it.
TMJ Treatment Options
Treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms. We usually begin with conservative, nonsurgical options and recommend only the care that fits what we find during your evaluation.
At-Home Changes
For mild or recent symptoms, we may recommend temporarily choosing softer foods, avoiding gum chewing, limiting wide jaw movements, or using heat or cold as directed. These changes can reduce strain while the joints and muscles settle.
Custom Night Guards
If clenching or grinding is contributing to muscle soreness or tooth wear, a custom night guard may be appropriate. The appliance fits over your teeth to protect them from grinding and may help reduce related muscle strain.
We take a digital scan, design, and 3D-print the guard in our office. Learn more about how these appliances are made on our custom night guard page.
Physical Therapy or Medical Care
Some symptoms may need care outside the dental office. Physical therapy may help with jaw movement and muscle-related pain. If your symptoms may be connected to an injury, arthritis, neck pain, or another health condition, evaluation by a medical provider may be appropriate.
When a Specialist May Be Needed
Persistent pain, significant locking, limited movement, structural joint problems, or symptoms that do not improve with conservative care may need evaluation by an orofacial pain specialist or oral surgeon.
A night guard is not automatically the right treatment for every TMD case. It may help when clenching or grinding is part of the problem, but it does not treat arthritis, internal joint damage, or every other source of jaw pain.
Not sure what’s causing your jaw pain? If you’re dealing with jaw pain, headaches, or painful clicking, we’ll examine the problem, explain what we find, and give you a treatment estimate before you decide.
Schedule a TMJ Evaluation →TMJ Treatment Cost, Insurance, and Financing
The cost of TMJ treatment depends on the evaluation and care you need. If we recommend a custom oral appliance, the cost will depend on its design and your insurance benefits.
Coverage for TMJ care and oral appliances varies between plans. We will review your available dental benefits and explain your estimated out-of-pocket cost before treatment. If your plan classifies the recommended care as medical, you may need to contact your medical insurer directly to ask about coverage and claim requirements.
We accept most major dental plans and are preferred providers with Delta Dental PPO and Premier, Regence, Premera, Lifewise, and Guardian DentalGuard PPO.
Financing options are available through Sunbit and Cherry. We also accept HSA and FSA cards.
Meet Your Burien Dentists
Daniel La Rota, DMD
Dentist | Burien, WA
Jonathan Everett, DDS
Dentist | Burien, WA
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
Do I need surgery for a TMJ disorder?
Most people do not. Treatment normally begins with conservative options. Surgery is generally considered only for severe joint damage or symptoms that have not improved with less invasive care.
Will a night guard cure my TMJ disorder?
No. A night guard does not treat every cause of TMJ pain. It can protect your teeth from grinding and may help with related muscle soreness, but whether it is appropriate depends on what is causing your symptoms.
My jaw clicks, but it does not hurt. Is that a problem?
A painless click is common and usually does not need treatment. Schedule an evaluation if it becomes painful or your jaw starts locking, catching, or becoming difficult to open.
Can TMJ pain go away on its own?
Some mild or recent symptoms improve with time and simple changes at home. Pain that continues, gets worse, or affects your ability to eat or open your mouth should be evaluated.
Can a TMJ disorder cause headaches?
It can. Tension or pain in the chewing muscles may be felt around the temples. Headaches have many possible causes, so we will not assume they are coming from your jaw without examining you.
Should I see a dentist or a doctor for jaw pain?
A dentist can check for problems involving your teeth, jaw joints, chewing muscles, clenching, or grinding. If the symptoms appear to be coming from another medical condition, we will recommend the appropriate next step.
Schedule a TMJ Evaluation in Burien
If your jaw hurts, catches, or has become difficult to open comfortably, give us a call. We will examine it and let you know whether the problem can be treated here or needs more specialized care.
Call (206) 242-1500 or schedule an appointment online.
