The staff provided excellent care, were nice to talk to and made a very comfortable visit. They were able to provide fillings to several chipped teeth with short notice while visiting Phoenix from out of country. Both myself and my dentist back home agreed the quality of the fillings were well done, and the colour was a great match. Highly recommend for the great staff and professional work done.
TMJ disorders
Recognizing TMJ Disorder Symptoms
TMJ disorders create a complex pattern of symptoms that often extend far beyond simple jaw discomfort. Because the temporomandibular joint connects directly to your skull and affects surrounding muscle groups, dysfunction can trigger widespread pain and functional problems.
Primary Jaw Symptoms • Jaw joint pain or tenderness, especially when chewing or speaking • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds during jaw movement
• Limited jaw opening or locking in open or closed positions • Muscle fatigue and stiffness in jaw and face
Secondary Pain Patterns • Chronic headaches and tension headaches radiating from jaw muscles • Facial pain extending to temples, cheeks, and around the eyes • Ear pain, pressure, or ringing (tinnitus) without infection • Neck and shoulder tension from compensatory muscle patterns
Dental and Bite Issues • Teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching, especially during sleep • Unusual tooth wear, chipping, or sensitivity • Changes in bite alignment or teeth fitting together differently • Difficulty chewing certain foods comfortably
Understanding these interconnected symptoms helps Dr. Chan identify the specific type of TMJ dysfunction affecting you and develop targeted treatment to address both the joint mechanics and muscle imbalances causing your discomfort.
TMJ Treatment for Jaw Pain and Dysfunction
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the complex joint system connecting your jaw to your skull, causing pain, limited movement, and difficulty with basic functions like eating and speaking. Dr. Chan provides comprehensive TMJ diagnosis and treatment to address the root causes of jaw dysfunction, not just mask the symptoms.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joints work with surrounding muscles, ligaments, and cartilage to enable smooth jaw movement. When this system becomes imbalanced due to stress, injury, teeth grinding, or bite misalignment, it can create a cascade of symptoms affecting your jaw, head, neck, and overall quality of life.
Unlike simple pain management approaches, our TMJ treatment focuses on correcting the underlying biomechanical issues causing your discomfort. Through detailed evaluation of your jaw function, bite alignment, and muscle tension patterns, Dr. Chan develops personalized treatment plans that restore proper jaw mechanics and provide lasting relief.
Beyond the Jaw: Related Issues
TMJ disorder can also be linked to other health concerns that can be addressed totally or partially with the same treatments, such as:
- Snoring and mouth breathing
- Anxiety and stress
- Facial asymmetry (for example having one eye slightly lower than the other or one ear sticking out more than the other)
- Acid reflux
The Limitations of Traditional Night Guards
While night guards are often recommended for TMJ, they may not always be the complete solution. Some patients experience:
- Difficulty wearing the night guard comfortably throughout the night.
- Continued grinding and clenching against the guard, potentially still contributing to jaw joint degeneration over time, even if teeth are protected.
- Poor sleep quality despite wearing the guard.
Find Lasting Relief with Dr. Chan
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we can help! Dr. Chan is specially trained in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. He uses advanced techniques to create custom oral appliances that are comfortable, minimally invasive, and highly effective.
Wondering if our TMJ treatment is right for you? See real success stories from patients who found relief!
Your dentist can also provide restorative dental care if your teeth have been damaged from grinding and clenching.
Call us today at 480-897-2274 for an appointment at Tempe Dentistry. You can also schedule online. Relieve your discomfort and get back to enjoying your life with TMJ treatment in Tempe, AZ.
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Related Articles
TMJ Treatment Options ~ TMJ Disorders Symptoms ~ Strategies for Managing Jaw Discomfort ~ TMJ and Sleep Disorders ~ TMJ Botox ~ When to See a TMJ Specialist
Tristan Avery
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Karen Jones
Highly recommend! Thorough and gentle care. Up to date on preventive services. Office staff is super friendly! The hygienist, Margie takes her time and is very gentle! And Dr. Chan is fantastic!
Karen Jones
KiLimePie
I love Dr Chan and everyone that works there. Everyone is kind and they make going to the dentist a gentle experience!
KiLimePie
Amin291
Dr. Chan is the best dentist I’ve had by far! Exceptionally knowledgeable, caring and works to make sure you can get the care you need regardless of insurance and finances. I’ve always been wary of medical professionals as I feel they try and prolong your care for profit, but Dr. Chan genuinely seems to care. 10/10!
Amin291
Angel Flores
Very clean space and atmosphere
Extremely professional staff. Dentist took incredible time to explain the health of my teeth and have amazing recommendations on how to improve to PREVENT coming here. Love the place. 10/10 approve.
Angel Flores
Erica Pinkstaff
Everybody was very nice and honest. I had a cleaning and xrays done and they listened to my concerns, took the time to educate me and answer questions, and walked through the finaces with me. It felt like they were there to help me and not scam me. I am happy to be a patient and cant wait to come back.
Thank you to the team Desiree, Margie, Dr. Chan, and I believe Ann.
Erica Pinkstaff
Aafie Somers
I’ve been going here for a few years now. They are awesome! Easy, kind and quick. They get to the point and are upfront with options. Cool about payment plans and not pushy about getting your future work done. Margie did my cleaning today and was so sweet. Ann that works the office is an absolute GEM!
Aafie Somers
Aneas Cleveland
I can’t speak highly enough of this office. Ann is an excellent front-office presence, Desiree will joke around and share stories, and Dr. Chan is a phenomenal dentist. The warmth and care provided makes this office an easy choice for dental work. Support local, support wonderful people.
Aneas Cleveland
Teresa Vinson
Dr. Jeremy Chan has been amazing since my time with his office!
Aside from my cleanings he offers very reasonable orthodontics at his office! I have previously had braces, but my retainer broke a few years back and my teeth have shifted. Well, I just got 3-D impressions of my teeth to start the correction process again, but this time in style with clear aligners!!!!
I’m super excited because this comes at a time in my life where I am refining things, and to have a wonderful Doctor with a great team who really cares for my oral health as much as I do really helps with that process! They are all super friendly and extremely gentle when working in/on one of the most precious areas of the body! I love Dr. Chan and his team!!!
They really outshine other dentistries I have been to by far!
Teresa Vinson
I am a traveling nurse and started having excruciating mouth pain. Dr Chan and staff worked me in immediately. They took very good care of me. The professionalism and caring service they give their patients is outstanding. I highly recommend.
Common Questions About TMJ Treatment
Signs of a TMJ disorder may include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when chewing, difficulty opening the mouth completely, facial pain, headaches, and ear pain or ringing. Some people may also experience neck and shoulder pain or toothaches unrelated to dental problems. Also, your jaw may feel locked or stuck. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to visit our practice for help.
Yes, our TMJ treatment has been able to help many patients over the years relieve their pain for good. No matter which type of treatment you end up going with, the team here at Tempe Dentistry will make sure it’s the right one for you. Besides you, no one wants your treatment to be successful more than we do.
Your insurance may pay for part of your TMJ treatment. We can help determine what your plan will and won’t cover and what your portion of the cost may be. Keep in mind that we offer an affordable financing option to help pay for your treatment. We work with CareCredit, which has low-interest payment plans to make your care more affordable.
Dr. Chan provides comprehensive TMJ treatment including custom oral splints, bite adjustment therapy, muscle relaxation techniques, and lifestyle modification guidance. Treatment selection depends on your specific symptoms, jaw mechanics, and underlying causes. Conservative approaches are typically tried first, with more advanced interventions if needed for complex cases.
TMJ diagnosis involves detailed evaluation of your jaw movement, muscle palpation, bite analysis, and often digital imaging to assess joint structure. Dr. Chan examines jaw opening patterns, listens for joint sounds, measures range of motion, and evaluates how your teeth fit together to identify the specific type of TMJ dysfunction affecting you.
Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 weeks of starting treatment, with significant relief typically achieved in 6-12 weeks. Treatment duration depends on the severity of your condition, how long symptoms have been present, and your compliance with therapy recommendations. Chronic TMJ cases may require longer treatment periods.
While TMJ disorders can often be successfully managed with proper treatment, long-term success depends on addressing contributing factors like stress, teeth grinding habits, and bite problems. Dr. Chan focuses on correcting underlying causes and providing strategies to prevent symptom recurrence for lasting relief.