Jaw Pain in Woodland Hills, CA

TMJ Treatment in Woodland Hills
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The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw to the skull and are involved in chewing, speaking, and yawning. Problems with these joints and the surrounding muscles are often grouped under TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular disorders).

Common symptoms can include:

Jaw pain or tenderness
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds
Difficulty opening widely or locking of the jaw
Headaches, earaches, or facial pain
Worn, chipped, or fractured teeth from clenching or grinding

TMJ disorders often have multiple contributing factors, including stress-related clenching, bite discrepancies, arthritis, prior trauma, or habits like chewing on hard objects.

Conservative TMJ care at House Of Smiles

In most cases, TMJ symptoms can be improved with non-surgical measures such as:

Custom nightguards to reduce clenching and grinding forces and protect teeth
Bite adjustments or restorative care when certain teeth bear excessive force
Short-term use of anti-inflammatory medications when appropriate
Jaw exercises, stretching, and posture guidance in coordination with physical therapy
Recommendations on diet (for example, avoiding very hard or chewy foods during flare-ups) and habits

Nightguards or TMJ splints do not “cure” every cause of TMJ disorder, but they often reduce strain on the jaw joint and muscles, help manage symptoms, and protect teeth from further damage. Surgery is rarely needed and is usually considered only after conservative options have been tried and symptoms are still significant.

If you are experiencing jaw pain or suspect you may be grinding your teeth, we can evaluate your joints, muscles, and bite, then discuss appropriate next steps.