TMJ/TMD Dentist in Calgary

The cost of TMJ or neuromuscular treatments will depend largely on the diagnosis and treatment recommendations we deliver. In some cases, insurance may cover a portion of the expenses.

Treatment for TMJ disorder usually falls under dental therapies like orthodontics, bite splints, adjustments to existing restorations, or special mouth guards to wear while you’re sleeping. However, there is some overlap in certain procedures to help with TMJ and whether they’re categorized as medical or dental. For instance, physical therapy or injectables.

When you’re planning TMJ treatment with us, be sure to let us know which types of coverage you have and bring a copy of your insurance card to your appointment. Our treatment coordinators will be able to use your information to provide you with a detailed estimate as to what services are covered, and under which policy.

TMJ pain tends to be something that comes and goes, or “flares up” at key times. If you clench your teeth a lot, are undergoing stress in your everyday life, or have a habit of using chewing gum or eating firm foods, that strain can lead to muscle soreness around your TMJ.

As with any type of muscle or joint soreness, it can take a day or two for the pain to go away. The key is to get plenty of rest and take it easy. For people with TMJ disorder, that also means using an appropriate splint or therapy to discourage joint strain and overuse.

In the meantime, you can apply a warm compress to the side of your mouth and take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (such as ibuprofen) as directed. But the key is to keep the pain from recurring. So, if you catch yourself clenching, be sure to wear your bite splint!

If you’re not treating the true cause of your TMJ, and it’s related to something like tooth misalignment, the pain will not improve until you finally complete orthodontic treatment.

TMJ pain isn’t always limited to the area where your jaw joints are. It’s actually quite common for the discomfort to radiate well into your forehead, scalp, ears, neck, shoulders, back, and your teeth. Since bruxism (clenching and grinding) is a primary factor with TMJ disorder, it’s important to look at the condition as a series of muscles contracting over and over. Each of those muscles has an entry point where they connect to your body. If one end is at the TMJ, the other is elsewhere. That’s why it’s so common for your neck and shoulders to tense up if you’re constantly tightening your jaw. Headaches and earaches are common symptoms of TMJ disorder. Even if you visit an ENT and have no apparent signs of an ear infection, you could have serious ear pain because of how close your ears are to your TMJ. And of course, it’s possible to feel pain in and immediately around your TMJ. Joint stiffness, popping, clicking, and limited range of motion are some of the most common symptoms to accompany any soreness.

When we order a CT scan or panoramic (full mouth) X-ray, your TMJ is visible on the image. We use this information during your exam to evaluate your jaw anatomy, function, and screen for signs of disorders. If you have a TMJ condition related to joint deterioration, anatomical anomalies, or some type of degenerative disc disease, there will likely be visible signs of the condition on your CT scan/X-ray. However, a physical examination is still necessary. We’ll feel either side of your jaw as you open and close, checking for atypical movement and signs of TMJ disorder. Some of these conditions aren’t visible on an X-ray, but the images help to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation at hand. For instance, muscle strain because of bruxism (clenching and grinding) won’t show up on an X-ray, but it might on a CT scan or during your exam.

TMJ surgery is typically reserved for the most severe types of joint disorder. The standard of care is to first pursue non-invasive and therapeutic options for treating TMJ disorder. These include things like massage, physical therapy, orthodontic treatments, warm compresses, dietary changes, bite splints, injectables, and bite rehabilitation.

If for any reason these measures are not effective or do not offer TMJ pain relief, then we may recommend oral surgery on the joint. One example of when surgery is needed is if there are structural irregularities inside of the TMJ itself, which we can see on a CT scan or X-ray.

Deciding to get oral surgery for TMJ needs to be a well-thought-out process and requires lengthy recovery time. In most cases, a team of dental providers or surgeons will evaluate your jaw to determine the best type of surgery and create a care plan for you to review. Surgery is usually one of the last recommended treatment options for TMD, and only when there’s severe discomfort or the condition interferes with your daily quality of life.

In most scenarios, TMJ disorder is treated by a dentist. Since dentists are the only providers who can fit you with a custom bite guard or TMJ splint. When TMJ damage is severe, such as a disorder caused by joint deterioration or injury, a surgeon may need to be consulted. It’s important to know that surgery for TMJ disorder is not common, and it’s typically reserved for the most extreme cases. If you see a medical doctor for TMJ, they might recommend warm compresses, pain relievers, or rest. All three of these options can help, but they don’t correct the cause of your joint pain.

Rest, warm compresses, and an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen are best for occasional TMJ pain. Avoid eating chewy foods like steak or chewing gum to give your jaws some time to relax. Although not as common, muscle relaxers are sometimes used to help reduce the tension that’s building up to the pain in your TMJ.

Because there are so many components working together to create a balanced bite, it often takes more than one type of treatment to turn a bad bite into a healthy one. Treatment combinations may include lifestyle changes, postural or physical therapies, chiropractic care, cosmetic dentistry, or orthotic devices, depending on your physical symptoms and jaw-tracking diagnosis results. If TMJ pain continues, we recommend contacting your dentist to find the right next step for treatment.