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Orofacial Pain Management

If you are struggling with chronic facial pain, TMJ disorders, or headaches that seem to have no apparent cause, relief is closer than you think. The board-certified orofacial pain specialists at Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery can pinpoint the source of your discomfort and help alleviate your pain so you can live comfortably.

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CCOFS Orofacial pain management

Managing Your Oral & Facial Discomfort is Our Priority

Our board-certified doctors are specially trained in conditions that cause pain in the head, face, jaw, mouth, and neck. We will partner with you to fully understand your orofacial health concerns. Using state-of-the-art diagnostics and a comprehensive evaluation of your oral and facial structures, we can identify the underlying cause of your pain. And together, we will develop a personalized solution to manage your pain and discomfort. From customized TMJ treatment plans to advanced therapies for nerve pain management, you can count on our team to apply leading-edge science with compassionate, patient-centered care for lasting results. 

Orofacial Pain Sources & Treatments

Various nervous system dysfunctions, diseases, and disorders can cause oral and facial pain. Our orofacial pain specialists have advanced training in evaluating and diagnosing complex pain issues and offer a full scope of treatments to manage these conditions. The most common causes of orofacial pain are TMD-TMJ disorders, neuropathic pain such as trigeminal neuralgia, migraines related to orofacial structures, and obstructive sleep apnea. 

Meet Our Orofacial Pain Specialists

Our doctors are dental specialists certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP), displaying their advanced expertise in orofacial pain management.  

Mary Haigler, DMD, MS

Mary Haigler, DMD, MS

Orofacial Pain Specialist
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TJ Robbins, DMD

TJ Robbins, DMD

Orofacial Pain Specialist
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TMJ Treatments

Treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, holds the lower jaw below the skull and is located just in front of your ear on both sides of your head. When this joint does not function correctly, you can experience pain when you bite, chew, and speak. TMD or Temporomandibular Disorders can be caused by muscular problems or issues with the disc that cushions the joint.   

Symptoms of TMD

  • Jaw pain or pain that radiates across the head and face 
  • Difficulty opening your jaw, including catching, locking, and shifting 
  • Joint noises such as clicking, popping, or grinding 
  • Earaches, neck pain, and headaches, including migraines 
  • Ringing in the ear (Tinnitus)

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Non-Surgical TMD and TMJ Treatments

Splint Therapy

Splint therapy helps distribute forces in a patient who clenches and grinds teeth. 

Trigger Point Injections

Injections that can help disrupt the area in muscles that cause referred pain. 

Intracapsular Steroid Injections

Steroid injections are a great option for patients with inflammation in the joint when other treatments have not been successful. 

Botox

Botox can be used to treat hypertrophic masticatory (chewing) muscles, reduce muscle pain from bruxism, and for some neuropathic pain. 

Medicine and Physical Medicine

Your oral facial pain specialist can prescribe medications and teach patients proper home care for managing pain and reducing inflammation.

Surgery can correct jaw misalignment and disc alignment in the temporomandibular joint if non-surgical approaches don’t resolve TMJ issues. Contact us today to learn more about TMJ Treatments and how the Orofacial Pain Specialists at Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery can help you.

Learn More About TMJ Treatment     Schedule a Consultation

Treatments For Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and post-herpetic neuralgia, is chronic pain caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. Neuropathic pain in the face can be ongoing or brought on by actions that shouldn’t hurt, such as lightly touching your face or chewing.  

Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain

  • Pain that often affects one side of the face 
  • Sudden severe shooting or electric pain 
  • Pain that is triggered by light contact, such as washing your face  
  • Burning or tingling sensations in the face (paresthesia)

Botox Treatment for Neuropathic Pain

Botox injections can be used as a treatment for neuropathic pain, where it is injected directly into the affected area to block nerve signals and potentially provide pain relief. This works by inhibiting the release of pain-related neurotransmitters from sensory nerves. Contact one of our orofacial pain specialists today to learn more about this treatment and schedule a consultation. Let us help you find relief and improve your quality of life. 

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Treatments for Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines can be triggered by orofacial issues with the jaw and facial structures, such as clenching and grinding (bruxism), poor jaw alignment, or stress-related tension in the face and neck. Sometimes referred to as secondary headaches, an underlying issue typically causes tension in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), facial muscles, or surrounding nerves.

Symptoms of Headaches from Orofacial Issues

  • Pain that is localized to a specific area of the face, such as the jaw or temples 
  • Pain that is associated with a trigger in the face or stiff neck 
  • Pain that radiates to the temples, forehead, or behind the eyes

Bite Split Therapy for Migraines

Bite splint therapy or occlusal splint therapy, can help treat migraines by reducing jaw muscle tension and preventing teeth grinding (bruxism), which is often linked to migraine headaches. Aligning the bite and reducing stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) helps minimize triggers for migraine pain, especially from nighttime clenching. If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, consider scheduling a consultation with our team of specialists at Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery to learn more about how we can help alleviate your pain.

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Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea causes airflow disruptions during sleep and is associated with many negative health issues, such as heart problems and high blood pressure. A sleep disorder can also cause bruxism or teeth clenching during sleep. This puts a lot of pressure on your teeth and jaw, potentially causing soreness throughout the day. 

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Feeling tired even after a full night of sleep 
  • Falling asleep randomly without meaning to 
  • Gasping for air during sleep 
  • Frequent loud snoring

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Sleep Apnea Treatments

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, regular exercise, side-sleeping, avoiding alcohol, drugs, nicotine, and certain medications.

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances reposition the jaw and stabilize the tongue to maintain an open airway during sleep. Finding the right device may take some trial and error, but we will work with you every step of the way to find a solution that works for you.

Positive Airway Pressure Machines

A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) machine treats sleep apnea by delivering airflow through a mask to keep the airway open. Your doctor will work with you to find the right solution for you. 

Oral Surgery

 If non-invasive treatments for sleep apnea fail, based on your needs, surgical options like tissue removal, jaw repositioning, or tonsil removal may be recommended.

Contact us today to learn more about sleep apnea treatments and how the Orofacial Pain Specialists at Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery can assist you.

Learn More About Sleep Apnea Treatment     Schedule a Consultation

What Our Patients are Saying

  • Barely Any Pain

    I had my wisdom teeth removed yesterday with minimal swelling and barely any pain. I’m very happy with the service I received and I definitely recommend them!

    - Amanda B.

  • Quick And Painless

    I had tooth extraction, 2 dental implants and bone grafting with Dr. Kapitan. He is awesome professionally and personally! My experiences were quick and painless. The entire staff is very pleasant and friendly and make the office visit welcoming

    - Sheela P.

  • Can't Give Her Enough Stars

    Dr. Haigler is amazing, she thoroughly examines her patients and takes the time to address every concern the patient and their family members have. We have been so pleased with the treatment received and highly recommend!! Can’t give her enough stars!!
    - Chastiy M.

  • Everyone Is So Friendly

    Everyone is so friendly and quick to answer any questions. Dr Haigler has taken her time in trying to figure out what is going on with my jaw, she & her assistant are also understandable when giving information.
    - Carmen P.

  • Most Thorough and Thoughful Members of My Care Team

    Dr Haigler is by far one of the most thorough and thoughtful members of my care team. She spent the quality time necessary to gather a complete health history, worked tirelessly to have insurance approve imaging that was vital to my final diagnosis, and ensured I was referred to one of the preeminent neurosurgeons for my condition. Without her diligence, I’m confident I would still be searching for answers.
    - Steven

  • I Have Nothing But Praise

    My experience with everyone was wonderful. The staff is very professional, courteous, and caring. Dr. Haigler spent a great deal of time asking detailed questions regarding my needs as did her staff. Dr. Haigler was very determined to address my oral problems and did so. I have nothing but praise and gratitude for her abilities and patience. I will highly recommend her every chance I get. Thank you all!
    - Melba S.

  • So Thankful

    The staff were very kind and welcoming. Dr. Haigler was able to figure out and diagnose my medical mystery that has been causing discomfort. She was very determined to figure out what it was. She is amazing. So thankful I went to see her!
    - Jennie B.

  • Great First Experience

    Great first experience with the clinic and staff. The office is clean, and the staff and clinical team are very friendly. I saw Dr. Robbins for ongoing TMJ issues (20 year history and two surgeries with a different doctor). Dr. Robbins was extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk with; he listens carefully and I could tell he is extremely thoughtful in his approach to treatment and next steps. Highly recommend this team and clinic.
    - Hannah G.

  • Truly Wants to Help His Patients

    Dr Robbins is great. He truly wants to help his patients. He is patient and answers all questions thoroughly. I have finally found a treatment that relieves my symptoms. Would highly recommend.
    - Ashley P.

  • Impressed

    My dentist referred me to Dr. T.J. Robbins at Carolina Centers for Oral and Facial Surgery due to problems I was having with my jaw popping. I have been seeing him since June. I have been very impressed with his concern and expertise in helping me. He never makes me feel rushed and answers my questions thoroughly. My pain level has gone down significantly by using the new night guard he had made for me, doing the exercise he suggested, and eating a softer diet. I would definitely recommend him if you are looking for a caring doctor and staff. From making my first appointment until the present I've been impressed with the office atmosphere and the staff.
    - Beverly P.

We're Here for You

Don’t let persistent pain limit your ability to eat, speak, or enjoy life. Schedule a consultation with our orofacial pain experts today to start your journey toward a pain-free life.

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