TMJ Treatment
If you’re struggling with persistent jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, or tension headaches, it could be a sign of TMJ disorder (TMD).
Our TMJ specialists at Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery offer a full range of TMJ treatment options, from conservative TMJ therapies to TMJ surgery.
We’re here to help relieve your symptoms and restore long-term jaw function with personalized treatments tailored to your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
Our TMJ pain management specialists and surgeons take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Our first priority is always conservative, reversible care. This may include medications, splint therapy, muscle relaxants, Botox for overactive jaw muscles, or physical therapy. These treatments help reduce inflammation, protect the joint, and relieve strain on the muscles that surround it.
When symptoms are more complex or when conservative options aren’t enough, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons are among the few in the nation who perform advanced TMJ surgery, including minimally invasive arthroscopy and total joint replacement.
Whether your TMJ issue is muscle-related, joint-related, or a combination of both, we’ll help you find the right path toward lasting relief and restored jaw function.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joints are essential for everyday movements, including chewing, talking, and yawning. When these joints become inflamed, damaged, or misaligned, it can lead to a range of painful and disruptive symptoms.
Recognizing the signs early of a TMJ disorder (also called TMD) and seeking expert care helps protect your jaw health and prevent more serious complications.
TMJ Symptoms
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially near the ears
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Limited jaw movement or locking
- Facial pain or pressure
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a sense of ear fullness
- Neck, shoulder, or upper back tension
- Trouble chewing or a shifting bite
Causes of TMD
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw clenching
- Injury or trauma to the jaw, head, or neck
- Arthritis or degenerative joint conditions
- Misalignment of the bite or jaw
- Stress-related muscle tension
- Disc displacement in the joint
- Genetics or connective tissue disorders
Risks if Untreated
- Worsening jaw pain and inflammation
- Progressive joint damage or degeneration
- Permanent changes in bite alignment
- Difficulty eating or speaking comfortably
- Chronic headaches or facial tension
- Sleep disturbances or worsening of sleep apnea symptoms
- Reduced quality of life due to ongoing discomfort
Why See a TMJ Specialist?
TMJ disorders are complex and often misunderstood. Because TMJ pain can come from many different sources, including the muscles, the jaw joint, nerves, or even nearby structures, it’s important to get a precise diagnosis and a tailored plan of care to effectively manage your muscle strain, joint dysfunction, or bite-related issues.
Our TMJ specialists in North Carolina and South Carolina treat the full range of TMJ disorders, from mild muscle tension to structural joint damage.
Depending on your needs, your care team may include:
- Orofacial Pain Specialists
Experts in diagnosing and treating TMJ pain and muscle dysfunction. They focus on conservative, non-surgical treatment methods such as medications, TMJ splints, and targeted therapies to reduce pain and protect the joint.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Specialists with dual training in dentistry and medicine. They manage the most complex TMJ cases and can provide advanced TMJ surgery, including minimally invasive arthroscopy and TMJ joint reconstruction, when necessary.
TMJ Treatment Leaders
At Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, you’ll find a specialized team that works with you from start to finish, evaluating your pain and creating a TMJ treatment plan that’s personalized to your needs.
Patients come to us from across the country for our expertise, and our focus is always the same: doing everything possible to restore comfort, protect function, and avoid surgery unless it’s truly necessary.
Christian’s Journey to Relief and Renewal
For years, Christian lived with a severe TMJ condition that made eating, speaking, and smiling nearly impossible.
After meeting Dr. Roger Moreira and the expert team at CCOFS in Raleigh, he finally found hope through TMJ surgery.
Today, he can eat freely, speak confidently, and smile wider than ever. Watch his story to see how life-changing relief is possible.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Have questions about TMJ treatment? You’re not alone. Many patients want to better understand their symptoms, treatment options, and what to expect during care.
Our TMJ specialists have answered some of the most common questions below to help guide you.