TMJ Treatment

Jaw pain, headaches, or discomfort while chewing can make everyday life exhausting. At our Houston dental office, we focus on conservative TMJ care designed to reduce pain and restore balance so your jaw feels comfortable again.

Stephens and Gatewood Dentistry has received an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 951 reviews

Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews

Understanding TMJ

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) play an essential role in speaking, smiling, and maintaining balance throughout your jaw and face. When these joints become strained or misaligned, the effects can extend beyond your mouth, leading to tension, headaches, or facial discomfort. At our Houston dental practice, we take a personalized approach to TMJ care, helping you find lasting comfort and improved function.

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) play an essential role in speaking, smiling, and maintaining balance throughout your jaw and face. When these joints become strained or misaligned, the effects can extend beyond your mouth, leading to tension, headaches, or facial discomfort. At our Houston dental practice, we take a personalized approach to TMJ care, helping you find lasting comfort and improved function.

Types of TMJ Treatment

TMJ symptoms often come from a mix of muscle tension, clenching, and bite imbalance. We begin with a thorough examination and a personalized plan tailored to your lifestyle. As part of our commitment to preventive dentistry, we focus on identifying early signs of stress or wear before they develop into painful TMJ issues. Most patients improve with simple, non-invasive steps, such as a custom nightguard, habit coaching, or brief bite adjustments. When helpful, we coordinate supportive therapies to relax overworked muscles and protect your teeth. For alignment-related strain, clear aligners can fine-tune contacts and ease joint stress. Throughout your care, we review your progress, refine your plan, and keep instructions simple, so relief feels achievable and your daily routines stay easy.

  • Nightguard or Bite Splint
  • Habit Coaching & Self-Care
  • Bite Balancing/Restorative Adjustments
  • Myofunctional/Physical Therapy

Benefits of TMJ Care

Relief without surgery

Most people find meaningful improvement using reversible, low-risk therapies. Custom appliances reduce clenching pressure, while self-care and brief bite refinements calm irritated muscles and joints. This stepwise approach targets your triggers—stress, posture, or nighttime grinding—so pain lessens naturally. You'll receive straightforward home tips and a follow-up plan that make progress predictable and sustainable, without resorting to invasive treatments.

Protects teeth and joints

Unmanaged clenching can cause enamel to crack, wear down edges, and inflame the joint. Nightguards cushion forces, protect teeth from chips, and help stabilize the bite. As muscles relax, clicking and morning tightness often diminish. Regular checks enable us to fine-tune the appliance fit and track improvements in mobility, tenderness, and tooth wear, supporting long-term comfort and joint health.

Better sleep and daily comfort

Reducing nighttime grinding may improve sleep quality and morning energy. Daytime guidance—"lips together, teeth apart"—relieves fatigue during work, driving, and exercise. With muscles less reactive, headaches, ear fullness, and facial tension tend to fade. Clear instructions and simple tools (heat/cold therapy, stretches, and a soft diet during flares) make relief manageable at home.

Who Is a Candidate for TMJ Treatment?

If you have jaw pain, clicks, morning headaches, ear fullness, or worn teeth, you may benefit from TMJ care. We’ll review your health history, evaluate jaw motion and muscle tenderness, and check for bite issues that overload the joint. Many cases improve with nightguards, coaching, or minor adjustments; others respond to supportive therapy or short-term aligner treatment. Even long-standing symptoms can improve with a clear plan and steady follow-up. For advanced issues, we may recommend imaging and coordinate additional care.

You can visit us at either of our Spring, TX locations: Cypresswood (281) 320-2000 or Auburn Lakes (832) 843-6619 for a personalized TMJ evaluation.

Our TMJ Process

Relief starts with understanding your triggers. During your consultation, we discuss your symptoms and habits, examine your jaw motion, and evaluate muscle tension and bite contacts. Photos and digital imaging—and CBCT when appropriate—guide precise planning and treatment. We begin with reversible care and teach simple at-home strategies to calm flares. A custom nightguard is fabricated when indicated and adjusted for comfort and even contact. Follow-ups track progress, refine fit, and add supportive steps such as myofunctional or physical therapy. If alignment contributes to strain, we may incorporate clear aligners. You’ll leave with written guidance and a straightforward maintenance plan.

  • Consultation & Symptom Review
  • Jaw/Muscle Exam & Bite Analysis
  • Imaging (as needed)
  • Nightguard & Self-Care Start
  • Fit Checks & Bite Refinements
  • Maintenance, Therapy & Progress Tracking

Why Choose Us for TMJ Care

You deserve relief without guesswork. Our doctors pair attentive listening with careful exams and digital imaging to pinpoint causes—not just treat symptoms. We start conservatively, adjust thoughtfully, and explain every step in plain language. Appliances are custom-made for comfort and durability; short visits fine-tune the bite and track changes in mobility and tenderness. When helpful, we coordinate with trusted therapists and offer comfort options—such as nitrous oxide, oral medication, or IV sedation—for anxious patients during longer appointments. Transparent fees, flexible scheduling, and clear home instructions keep care practical and predictable.

  • Conservative, reversible first approach
  • Custom appliances & precise adjustments
  • Support for anxious patients (sedation when appropriate)
  • Clear home-care and follow-up plan

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ Treatment
FAQs

Our friendly team is here to answer your questions and help you find lasting relief from TMJ pain and discomfort.

Not necessarily. Popping or clicking can occur without pain or limited motion and may not require treatment. We evaluate symptoms, range of motion, muscle tenderness, and bite contacts to decide next steps. If clicks come with pain, locking, or headaches, conservative care—like a nightguard, habit coaching, and targeted stretches—often reduces irritation. We’ll also review factors that worsen flares (stress, hard chewing, gum) and outline a simple plan to protect teeth during healing. Imaging or referrals are considered only when signs point to joint damage or persistent dysfunction despite initial therapy.

Many patients notice improvement within a few weeks of consistently using their appliances and practicing self-care. Muscle tenderness and morning tightness typically ease first; headaches and clicking often follow. We’ll adjust the appliance and plan at follow-ups to maintain steady progress.

Surgery is rarely needed. Most cases respond to nightguards, bite refinements, and supportive therapy. We reserve advanced interventions for severe locking, trauma, or confirmed joint disease and will coordinate care if that becomes appropriate.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Reveal your best smile with personalized cosmetic dentistry. We design beautiful, natural-looking results that reflect your goals and individuality.
Learn More

Sedation Dentistry

Enjoy stress-free visits with safe, effective sedation options. We make dental care comfortable and anxiety-free so you can receive the treatment you need.

Learn More

Preventative Care

Prioritize your oral health with attentive, preventive care. Through regular cleanings, exams, and tailored treatments, we help every smile stay strong and healthy.

Learn More

Dental Implants

Restore your smile with strong, natural-looking dental implants. Enjoy a permanent solution designed to improve both your confidence and long-term oral health.
Learn More

See What Our Patients Say

Go to Top