OUR SERVICES
TMJ/TMD Treatment
TMJ & TMD Treatment: Find Relief from Jaw Pain and Headaches
Do you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache? Do you hear a "clicking" or "popping" sound when you chew? Do you find yourself clenching your teeth during the day? These are the classic symptoms of TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).
At Gardens Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand that TMD is more than just a dental issue; it is a chronic pain condition that affects your quality of life, your sleep, and your overall well-being.
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the complex hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint is stressed, misaligned, or inflamed, it can cause pain that radiates through your face, neck, and shoulders. We offer comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic solutions to stop the pain at its source.
Why Choose Gardens for Your TMJ Therapy?
Treating TMD requires a deep understanding of how the teeth, muscles, and joints work together. It is not a "one-size-fits-all" condition.
Comprehensive Diagnostics: We don't guess. We use CBCT 3D imaging to visualize your jaw joints and airway. This allows us to see if the issue is skeletal, muscular, or related to the disc inside the joint.
Occlusal (Bite) Expertise: Dr. Hans Almanzar is a master of restorative dentistry with extensive training in occlusion (how teeth bite together). Often, a misaligned bite is the hidden trigger for TMJ pain.
Non-Surgical Focus: We prioritize conservative, reversible treatments first. Surgery is rarely the first option. We focus on relieving inflammation and stabilizing the bite using custom appliances and therapies.
Botox® Therapy: As a modern dental office, we offer therapeutic Botox® injections to relax the hyperactive jaw muscles that cause clenching and migraines, providing immediate relief while we address the root cause.
PROCEDURE
Our Solutions for Jaw Pain
We customize your treatment plan based on the severity and cause of your TMD.
1. Custom Oral Appliances (Splint Therapy)
This is the gold standard for most TMD cases. We fabricate a hard, custom-fitted acrylic guard that fits over your teeth (usually worn at night). Unlike a store-bought soft guard (which can actually increase chewing), a professional splint is designed to:
De-program the jaw muscles so they relax.
Place the jaw joint in its ideal, neutral position.
Protect the teeth from the destructive forces of grinding (bruxism).
2. Bite Adjustment (Equilibration)
If your pain is caused by teeth interfering with each other when you chew, Dr. Almanzar may perform a precise bite adjustment. By reshaping tiny amounts of enamel on specific teeth, we can eliminate the interferences that force your jaw to shift unnaturally, allowing the muscles to relax.
3. Therapeutic Botox®
For patients with severe muscular pain or chronic migraines, Botox® is highly effective. By injecting it into the masseter and temporalis muscles, we reduce the force of contraction. You can still chew normally, but you physically cannot clench hard enough to cause pain.
TESTIMONIAL
Patient Success Story: The "Migraine" Cure
Actual Patient Scenario
The Challenge: "Jennifer," a 40-year-old accountant, suffered from debilitating migraines three times a week. She had seen a neurologist and was on medication, but the headaches persisted. She also noticed her front teeth were looking shorter and flatter.
The Solution: During a routine exam, Dr. Almanzar noticed the severe wear patterns on her teeth—a clear sign of nocturnal grinding. He explained that her "migraines" were likely tension headaches caused by her jaw muscles working overtime while she slept. He fabricated a custom NTI splint (a specialized night guard).
The Result: Jennifer reported that her headaches stopped almost immediately. She slept better and woke up without a stiff neck for the first time in years. She told us, "I spent years treating my head, but the problem was in my jaw. This piece of plastic changed my life."
FAQs
