Relief for clenching, jaw pain, and the headaches that come with it
A TMJ disorder rarely announces itself. It arrives as a headache behind your eyes, an earache your doctor cannot explain, or a jaw that feels tired by mid-afternoon. At Solstice Dental & Aesthetics, we name the problem first, then start with the least invasive Louisville TMJ treatment that fits it.
Call us at (502) 434-4004 to get your jaw looked at.
Know when jaw pain is worth checking
Few people have every symptom. Most have two or three and assume they are unrelated:
- Jaw soreness, worse in the morning or after a meal
- Clicking, popping, or grating when you open and close
- A jaw that locks, catches, or will not open fully
- Headaches in the temples, behind the eyes, or at the skull base
- Earaches or ringing with no ear infection behind it
- Facial and neck tension that spreads into the shoulders
- Teeth worn flat, chipped, or newly sensitive
Clenching and grinding during sleep is the cause we see most often, though arthritis, an old jaw or neck injury, and a bite that does not meet evenly all play a part.
What to expect at your visit
- We take the history. When did it start?
- We examine the joint and the muscles.
- We take digital radiographs.
- We read your teeth for wear.
- We create a treatment plan.
Louisville TMJ treatment options we offer
Custom nightguards
A guard keeps your teeth from meeting at full force and takes load off the joint overnight. We scan digitally instead of using impression material, so the fit is close enough that you will wear it.
Therapeutic Botox
Dr. German Bazan places Botox in the chewing muscles to reduce clenching force and muscle-driven headaches. The effect wears off over months, so it works alongside a nightguard rather than replacing one.
Physical therapy referral
When neck tension, posture, or limited jaw movement is part of the picture, we refer you out for manual therapy and exercise. We are glad to coordinate with a therapist you already see.
Myofunctional therapy
Jennifer Green, our hygienist and licensed myofunctional therapist, retrains tongue and orofacial muscle patterns that contribute to jaw tension. Where an adult tongue tie is involved, Dr. Bazan performs the release with our CO2 laser.
TMJ care at Solstice Dental & Aesthetics
A full history
When it started, what makes it worse, whether you wake with it, and what you have already tried.
Joint and bite exam
Range of motion, joint sounds, muscle tenderness, and wear patterns that show how much force runs through your bite at night.
A starting point and a follow-up date
Usually a nightguard, sometimes with Botox or physical therapy alongside it, then a visit to reassess.
Smiles shine brighter at Solstice Dental & Aesthetics
We're raising the bar for Louisville dentists everywhere by putting your comfort at the center of our general and cosmetic dental care.
Your questions about TMJ treatment answered
What is a TMJ disorder?
A TMJ disorder, often written TMD, is pain or dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that move it. Symptoms range from morning soreness to a jaw that locks, and they often come and go for years before someone seeks care.
What is a TMJ disorder?
A TMJ disorder, often written TMD, is pain or dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that move it. Symptoms range from morning soreness to a jaw that locks, and they often come and go for years before someone seeks care.
Can a general dentist treat TMJ pain?
Yes, for most cases, because the majority are muscular and bite-related rather than surgical. If your case calls for an oral surgeon or an orofacial pain specialist, we refer you rather than keep treating.
Does Louisville TMJ treatment cure the problem permanently?
TMD is managed rather than cured, and symptoms can flare with stress or illness. Treatment reduces pain, protects your teeth from grinding damage, and improves how comfortably your jaw moves.
Will a nightguard stop my headaches?
Sometimes, depending on where they come from. Headaches driven by clenching often improve within a few weeks of consistent wear. Headaches from other causes will not respond to an appliance, so we ask about your pattern first.
How does Botox help TMJ pain?
It reduces how forcefully the chewing muscles can contract, which lowers clenching pressure and soreness. Results are temporary and require repeat treatment. It is not right for every patient.
Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Coverage varies and often depends on whether the claim runs through dental or medical benefits. Nightguards are commonly covered at least in part; therapeutic Botox frequently is not. We check your benefits and give you the number up front.
Can TMJ pain go away on its own?
Mild symptoms often settle within a few weeks, particularly after a stressful stretch. Get it looked at if pain lasts longer than that, your jaw locks, or you wake with symptoms most mornings. Grinding wears teeth down whether or not the joint hurts.
Ready to stop waking up with a sore jaw?
Bring your questions. We’ll look, listen, and tell you what we think is going on before recommending anything.
