Carolina-Centers_doctor-headshot_Haigler
Dr. Mary Charles Haigler

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mary Charles Haigler

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TMJ (jaw) symptoms are painful and frustrating. At the Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, our doctors strive to help patients understand how joint and muscle pain are intertwined. They take the time to help patients understand how lifestyle habits can be altered in order to gain long-term treatment success. We also endeavor to treat the entire person; we listen to all concerns. The majority of our patients can be treated in a conservative, non-surgical manner.

If your TMJ disorder has caused problems with how your teeth fit together, you may need treatment such as bite adjustment (equilibration), orthodontics with or without jaw reconstruction, or restorative dental work. Surgical options such as arthroscopy and open joint repair restructuring are only reserved for severe cases and are rarely needed. Our doctors do not consider TMJ surgery unless the jaw can’t open, is dislocated and non-reducible, has severe degeneration, or the patient has undergone appliance treatment unsuccessfully.

Here are some self-care suggestions we recommend our patients do at home to work in parallel with our TMJ Disorder treatments.

TMJ JAW EXERCISES

We can help you end the suffering. Our TMJ specialists can create a personal action plan for you and help you finally get relief. With multiple locations across North Carolina and South Carolina, we offer the most comprehensive suite of surgical and non-surgical options for treatment, backed by a host of nationally-recognized, board-certified & fellow-trained oral surgeons.