Sore jaw, clicking, or headaches that won't quit?
TMJ disorder is one of the most under-diagnosed sources of chronic head, neck, and jaw pain. Dr. Sidhu evaluates how your teeth come together, examines the joint, and asks the right questions about clenching, grinding, and stress patterns, then builds a plan to actually solve the problem.
Custom nightguards that fit
Most TMJ cases respond well to a precision-fit nightguard that prevents grinding while you sleep. We take a digital scan and the guard is built to your exact bite, comfortable, durable, and far more effective than the boil-and-bite trays you'd buy at a drugstore.
Bite adjustment when teeth aren't meeting cleanly
If a single high spot is putting force in the wrong place, a careful occlusal adjustment can resolve discomfort without anything more invasive. We measure, mark, and adjust conservatively, only what needs adjusting.
Lifestyle and home-care guidance
Heat or cold therapy, jaw stretches, posture cues, and stress reduction all play a role in calming an inflamed joint. We'll send you home with a clear plan and check progress at follow-ups.
What causes TMJ pain
The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull just in front of each ear. TMJ disorder is an umbrella term for pain, clicking, or restricted movement in that joint or the muscles around it. Common causes: chronic teeth grinding/clenching (the biggest single cause), trauma to the jaw (sports injury, car accident), bite misalignment, severe stress, and inflammatory joint conditions.
Most patients we see have a combination, typically grinding plus stress plus a bite that's slightly off. Treatment addresses what we can change (the bite, the grinding) and helps with what we can't (stress).
Self-care while waiting for treatment to work
While your splint or treatment plan is working, daily self-care reduces flare frequency. Avoid gum, hard candy, and very chewy foods during flares. Apply moist heat to the muscles around the jaw for 15 minutes, 2–3 times daily. Practice jaw relaxation, tongue resting against the roof of the mouth, teeth slightly apart (the natural rest position). Sleep on your back when possible to keep pressure off the joint.
These aren't substitutes for treatment but they meaningfully reduce flare intensity in the meantime. Patients who combine self-care with their nightguard typically see faster, more durable improvement than splint alone.
What to expect, step by step
Here's exactly what happens at a tmj treatment appointment at Cusp Dental, from the moment you walk in to the followup.
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Comprehensive TMJ evaluation
We palpate the joint and surrounding muscles, range-of-motion testing, bite analysis, and review of any imaging. We rule out other causes that mimic TMJ before settling on a diagnosis.
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Treatment plan
Most cases start with a custom nightguard, behavioral changes (avoiding gum, soft-food diet during flares), and physical therapy referrals when muscle involvement is significant.
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Custom splint fabrication
Impressions or digital scan capture your bite. The splint is lab-made over 2 weeks. It's designed to take your specific bite forces off the joint.
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Fitting and adjustments
The splint is fitted and adjusted for comfort. Several quick followup visits in the first 1–2 months fine-tune it as your symptoms respond.
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Long-term monitoring
Once stabilized, we check the splint and your symptoms annually. Splints typically last 3–5 years; replacement is straightforward when needed.
Pricing & insurance
We don't post per-service pricing here because every case is different. Call us at (916) 451-4856 for a personalized estimate. We verify your insurance benefits at no charge and give you a written all-in estimate before any treatment begins.
- Insurance
- Medical insurance (not dental) sometimes covers TMJ treatment when medically necessary. PPO dental plans cover the nightguard component at 50% in some plans.
- Financing
- CareCredit available for full TMJ treatment plans. Most patients pay for the splint over 2–3 months with no interest.
Trigger-point injections and Botox for TMJ (off-label but increasingly common) are available add-on options when conservative therapy doesn't fully resolve symptoms, billed separately. Surgical referrals are rare, most patients never need that level of care. Call us for pricing on these options.
Common questions about tmj treatment
Is it TMJ or something else?
TMJ pain typically presents as soreness near the joint in front of the ear, jaw clicking or popping, headaches around the temples, or pain when chewing. Tooth-related pain, sinus pressure, and ear infections can mimic it, that's why a careful exam matters.
Will insurance cover TMJ care?
Coverage varies. Many PPO dental plans cover diagnostic exams and nightguards; medical insurance sometimes covers TMJ treatment when a diagnosis is established. We'll verify your benefits up front.
How long until I feel better?
Most patients notice meaningful relief within 2–4 weeks of consistent nightguard wear. Severe cases or those involving long-standing joint changes can take longer or require referral to a specialist.
Ready to book your tmj treatment appointment?
We're in-network with most major PPO plans, verify your benefits at no cost, and never push treatment you don't need. Call us or book online, same-day visits are usually available.
