TMJ, Jaw Pain & TMD Care in Newport, NH

Common TMD symptoms

Patients may notice:

A click or pop by itself does not always mean treatment is necessary.

The important questions are whether the jaw hurts, functions normally, is changing, or is interfering with daily life.

• jaw-joint pain
• sore or tired chewing muscles
• pain while chewing
• headaches associated with jaw tension
• clicking or popping
• difficulty opening the mouth
• temporary locking or catching
• clenching or grinding
• tooth wear
• morning jaw soreness
• discomfort around the temples, ears, or sides of the face

What causes TMD?

There is no single cause of every jaw problem.

TMD symptoms may involve the jaw joints, muscles, habits such as clenching or grinding, injury, stress-related muscle activity, arthritis, bite relationships, sleep-related factors, or a combination of issues.

We do not assume that every TMD problem is caused by the patient's bite or that changing the bite will automatically solve it.

What happens during a jaw evaluation?

The evaluation depends on your symptoms but may include:

The goal is to identify the most likely source of the problem and determine whether dental treatment is appropriate.

• when and where the pain occurs
• how long the problem has been present
• jaw opening and movement
• joint noises
• areas of muscle tenderness
• clenching or grinding
• tooth wear
• bite
• previous injuries
• dental history
• relevant medical history
• sleep-related symptoms
• diagnostic imaging when indicated

Clenching and grinding

Clenching and grinding are common.

Some people grind their teeth during sleep. Others clench while concentrating, driving, exercising, or during periods of stress.

Signs can include worn or chipped teeth, muscle soreness, morning jaw fatigue, tooth sensitivity, or damage to dental restorations.

Not everyone who clenches or grinds develops TMD, and not every patient with TMD is grinding their teeth.

Nightguards and oral appliances

A custom oral appliance or nightguard may be useful for selected patients.

Depending on the problem, an appliance may be intended to protect teeth, reduce damaging tooth-to-tooth contact, change how forces are distributed, or help manage certain muscle or joint symptoms.

The design should be based on the diagnosis and treatment goal rather than simply giving every patient the same type of nightguard.

Conservative treatment first

Many common TMD problems are initially managed conservatively.

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve:

Treatment should match the problem rather than permanently changing the bite without a clear reason.

• temporary changes in chewing habits
• avoiding behaviors that repeatedly strain the jaw
• addressing daytime clenching
• heat or other simple comfort measures
• medication when appropriate
• an oral appliance
• treatment of damaged teeth when relevant
• physical therapy or medical co-management when appropriate

Does my bite need to be changed?

Sometimes tooth position or bite relationships are relevant to a patient's overall dental treatment, but TMD is usually more complicated than a single alignment problem.

Canobie Dental does not present orthodontics, bite adjustment, or restorative treatment as a universal cure for jaw pain.

If orthodontic or restorative treatment is being considered for another reason, jaw function can be included in the treatment-planning process.

Jaw pain can come from somewhere else

Not every pain near the jaw joint is TMD.

Dental infections, cracked teeth, sinus problems, ear conditions, headaches, nerve-related pain, injuries, arthritis, and other medical conditions can sometimes produce similar symptoms.

An accurate diagnosis matters before treatment is started.

When should I seek additional evaluation?

Further medical or specialty evaluation may be appropriate for symptoms such as:

These findings may require medical or specialty evaluation in addition to dental care.

• significant jaw trauma
• persistent or progressive swelling
• severe limitation in opening
• new facial numbness or weakness
• unusual or electric-shock-like facial pain
• unexplained neurologic symptoms
• a rapidly changing bite
• symptoms that do not respond as expected
• another finding suggesting that the problem is not primarily dental

Jaw pain or grinding bothering you?

Schedule an evaluation so we can determine whether the problem appears to involve the teeth, muscles, jaw joints, or another source and discuss appropriate treatment options.