Aviara TMJ in Los Alamitos
Craniofacial pain therapy
Relief comes from restoring harmony between the airway, the jaw and the muscles around it. Aviara TMJ looks for the reason your jaw is under strain, as well as the pain itself.
The hidden causes of jaw pain
Many people with TMJ pain are clenching or grinding without knowing it, often in an effort to keep the airway open during sleep. That compensation puts heavy strain on the jaw joints and the muscles around them.
- Clenching often reflects airway compensation
- TMJ pain frequently stems from deeper structural imbalance
- Stabilizing the airway supports jaw healing
What we treat
Your evaluation looks at jaw mobility, bite alignment, muscle function and the airway factors behind clenching.
- TMJ clicking and locking
- Teeth grinding and clenching
- Tension headaches
- Facial and jaw pain
How we treat it
Depending on its severity, TMJ can often be treated without surgery.
- TMJ stabilization splint therapy
- Mandibular advancement therapy
- Myofunctional therapy
- Laser and PRF regenerative therapy
Questions we often hear
What are the early signs of TMJ?
Early signs include popping or clicking when you open your mouth, and pain or tenderness in the jaw or near the ears. Recurring headaches, earaches and migraines are also common.
Can TMJ go away on its own?
Sometimes. With rest, strained jaw joints and muscles can recover, and gentle stretches and massage can help. When the cause is more complex than muscle strain, professional treatment may be needed.
Can you treat TMJ without surgery?
Depending on severity, yes. Jaw exercises that strengthen, relax and stretch the muscles often help. Others need a custom oral splint that creates space between the jaws and limits clenching and grinding at night. Our office uses the Preventive Oral Device for a fit made for each patient.
Can TMJ change your face?
It can. TMJ affects how the teeth meet and makes the jaw joints and muscles work harder. In the short term that can cause swelling from inflammation, and over time the face can lose some symmetry. The strain can also reach the neck and back.
What are the long-term effects of TMJ?
Long-term TMJ can bring frequent headaches and migraines, neck and shoulder pain and chronic grinding, and some patients develop tinnitus or hearing loss. It is also often linked with snoring and sleep apnea.
Your provider
- Dr. Katherine Ahn Wallace, DDS Founder. Airway aesthetic dentistry, TMJ, sleep and orthodontics Diplomate, American Sleep and Breathing Academy
Begin with a conversation
Tell us what you are noticing, and we will help you decide where to start with Aviara TMJ.