Therapeutic · Since 1987
TMJ Treatment in Wilmington, NC
Jaw pain, clicking, morning headaches and teeth that are wearing flat usually trace back to the joint and the muscles around it. It is treatable, and it rarely needs surgery.
About TMJ treatment
The temporomandibular joint takes the load of every clench. When the bite and the joint disagree, the muscles compensate, and the result shows up as headache, earache, neck tension or a jaw that locks.
We start conservatively. A properly adjusted night guard resolves a large share of cases on its own. Bite adjustment, physical therapy referral and restorative work come in when the guard is not enough.
How it works
- Joint and muscle examWe palpate the joint and the muscles, measure your opening, and listen to the joint through the range.
- Bite analysisHow your teeth meet, and where the wear facets are, tells us what your jaw does at night.
- Night guardA custom guard, adjusted properly, not a boil-and-bite from a drugstore.
- Review and adjustWe see you back to fine-tune it. This step is where most of the benefit is.
- Further treatment if neededBite adjustment, restorative work, or referral for physical therapy.
Recovery and aftercare
Wear the guard every night, including the nights you feel fine. Soft diet during a flare, heat on the muscles, and stop chewing gum. Bring the guard to your cleanings so we can check the wear pattern.
Cost and coverage
A custom occlusal guard is often partially covered by dental plans, and sometimes by medical when headaches are documented. The evaluation is straightforward and we will tell you what your benefits will do before we make anything.
You may be a candidate if
- Clicking, popping or grating when you open
- Waking with a sore jaw or a headache at the temples
- Teeth that look worn flat or are chipping at the edges
- Jaw that catches or locks
- Ear pain with no ear infection
- Neck and shoulder tension that nobody has explained
TMJ Treatment by town
We see patients from across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow counties.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger
Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.
Questions we get asked
Is TMJ the same as grinding my teeth?
They overlap. Bruxism is the grinding. TMJ disorder is what the joint and muscles do about it. Most patients we treat have both.
Do I need surgery?
Almost certainly not. The large majority of cases respond to conservative treatment.
Will a drugstore night guard work?
It can protect enamel. It is not adjusted to your bite, and an unadjusted guard sometimes makes the muscle pain worse.
How long before I feel better?
Many patients notice a difference within a few weeks of wearing a properly adjusted guard. Long-standing muscle pain takes longer.
Could my headaches be dental?
Morning headaches at the temples, with worn teeth and a sore jaw, point strongly that way. It is worth an exam.
TMJ Treatment
Honest dentistry, since 1987.
We will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what we would leave alone.
- Over 50,000 patients treated since 1987
- Comprehensive new patient exam including oral cancer screening
- Three doctors and a long-tenured team
- Most major dental plans accepted
Been told you need a lot of work somewhere else? Second opinions are welcome and we give them straight.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
