Relieve jaw pain, headaches, and facial tension with personalized TMJ treatment. At Pasadena Smile Center, we address the underlying causes of TMJ/TMD, such as clenching, grinding, and joint strain, using advanced, non-invasive therapies and custom oral appliances.

What is TMJ/TMD?

TMJ/TMD refers to disorders affecting the temporomandibular joints, the hinges that connect your jaw to your skull, and the muscles that control jaw movement. When these joints/muscles are strained, inflamed, or misaligned, you may experience symptoms like jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, headaches, facial tension, ear discomfort, and difficulty chewing or opening your mouth. TMJ/TMD is often linked to teeth grinding, clenching, stress, bite issues, or injury, and symptoms can range from mild to disruptive without proper care.

Reasons to consider TMJ/TMD treatment

TMJ/TMD symptoms often start small but can gradually worsen over time and affect your comfort, sleep, and daily activities. Common symptoms and potential consequences of untreated TMJ/TMD may include:

Ongoing jaw pain or tenderness
Frequent headaches or migraines
Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
Teeth grinding or clenching
Facial, neck, or shoulder tension
Ear pain or ringing without infection
Difficulty chewing or opening fully
Worn, cracked, or sensitive teeth

Your TMJ treatment options

Your path to TMJ relief begins with a consultation, during which we listen to your symptoms, evaluate your jaw function, bite, and muscle activity, and identify contributing factors such as clenching, grinding, or misalignment. From there, we curate a personalized treatment plan, which may include one or more of the following proven, non-invasive treatments to reduce inflammation, relax overactive muscles, and restore healthier jaw movement.

Gemini laser therapy

Gemini laser uses targeted light energy to penetrate the tissues around the jaw joint and muscles. This helps reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and encourage the body’s natural healing response. As blood circulation improves, tight muscles begin to relax and irritated nerves calm down, which can ease stiffness. Because it works without needles or medications, laser therapy offers a comfortable alternative to Botox for patients seeking relief from TMJ discomfort.

TMJ/TMD oral appliances

TMJ/TMD oral appliances are custom-made devices worn over your teeth to guide the jaw into a more relaxed position. By gently adjusting how the upper and lower teeth come together, these appliances reduce strain on the joints and surrounding muscles. This helps decrease clenching and grinding forces that overload the joint. Over time, maintaining a healthier jaw position can reduce inflammation, relieve fatigue, and improve overall jaw function.

Splints

Splints are specialized appliances that temporarily reposition or stabilize the jaw. They work by limiting harmful tooth-to-tooth contact and redistributing pressure more evenly across the bite. This reduces excessive muscle activity that contributes to TMJ pain. By giving the jaw a more balanced resting position, splints allow irritated joints to recover. Many patients notice fewer headaches, less jaw tension, and smoother jaw movement with consistent splint use.

POD devices

POD (Preventive Oral Device) appliances are custom mandibular devices that reduce muscle hyperactivity by minimizing contact between the teeth. When fewer teeth touch, the brain receives fewer signals to clench or grind. This decreases overworked jaw muscles and lowers stress on the TMJ. The design also allows natural jaw movement and greater comfort than traditional guards. The result is reduced tension and better protection for teeth and restorations.

TMJ guards

TMJ guards are designed specifically to cushion and support the jaw while preventing excessive pressure on the joints. They absorb and disperse biting forces that would otherwise overload the TMJ. By reducing these forces, the muscles can relax and inflammation around the joint can decrease. TMJ guards also prevent abnormal jaw positioning during sleep, which supports healthier alignment and contributes to more consistent symptom relief.

Night guards

Night guards protect your teeth from grinding and clenching while also reducing strain on the jaw muscles. They create a smooth barrier between the upper and lower teeth, limiting the intensity of biting forces. This helps prevent tooth wear, fractures, and sensitivity while giving overworked muscles a chance to rest. As muscle tension decreases, pressure on the TMJ is reduced, often leading to fewer headaches and less jaw soreness.

TMJ treatment FAQs:

Is TMJ/TMD permanent? TMJ/TMD is not always permanent. For many people, symptoms improve significantly with the right combination of conservative treatments and lifestyle adjustments. Because the condition often involves muscle strain, bite imbalance, or inflammation, addressing these underlying factors can reduce flare-ups and support long-term relief.

How long does it take to feel TMJ relief? You may begin noticing improvement within a few weeks, depending on the therapies used and the severity of your symptoms. Some patients feel muscle relaxation sooner, while others experience gradual changes as the jaw adapts to a healthier position.

Do I need to wear appliances forever? Not necessarily. Some patients use appliances short-term to stabilize the jaw, while others benefit from longer-term use. Your provider will guide you based on your symptoms.

Schedule your TMJ treatment in Pasadena

Pasadena Smile Center is dedicated to helping you find lasting relief from jaw pain, tension, and TMJ-related discomfort. We take time to understand how your jaw connects to your overall well-being and design personalized, non-invasive treatment plans to address the root cause of your symptoms. Achieve lasting relief: schedule your consultation for TMJ treatment today.

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TMJ Treatment Pasadena, CA