Jaw Pain Therapy

Sacramento jaw pain treatment

Jaw pain can consume your life. When you feel constant and unavoidable head and jaw discomfort, it becomes difficult to go about your days. Our experienced dentists offer a wide range of solutions to chronic jaw pain. Schedule an appointment for an individual jaw pain evaluation and an opportunity to learn which treatment could be ideal for your needs. Patients who haven’t found relief with night guards or lifestyle adjustments have seen excellent results with Botox injections for the jaw.

You may benefit from jaw pain treatment if you experience:

  • Discomfort opening and closing your mouth
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Your jaw sticking open or shut
  • Chronic headaches or ear pain
  • Clicking or popping sounds coming from your jaw
  • Bruxism (teeth grinding)

These symptoms can be due to non-TMD-related health problems, but only your dentist can diagnose you and relieve your pain.

woman touching her jaw and grimacing in pain

Why Our Patients Love Our Sacramento Practice

  • We see patients of all ages and can accommodate your entire family
  • We provide a wide range of care under one roof so that you can receive preventive exams, restorative and cosmetic treatments without needing to visit another office
  • We offer a variety of sedation options for patients hoping to alleviate dental anxiety and have the most comfortable experience possible for their implant procedure
  • In-house savings plan available for patients without dental insurance so that you can receive affordable care
  • Neighborhood specials (20% off + more) available for parishioners/families from Our Lady of Guadalupe church, and Holy Trinity Church and school – ask what’s available at your next appointment!
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Clenching & TMJ Therapy

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, the area connecting your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull (at the temporal bone). The temporomandibular joint controls many of your jaw functions, especially the way you chew and bite your teeth. The joint itself may be experiencing a problem and causing you pain. This is known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and can result from stress, chronic jaw clenching, and teeth grinding.

Botox For Chronic Jaw Pain

woman receiving a botox injection for jaw pain

While Botox is more commonly known as a cosmetic treatment, it originated as a medical solution. It is incredibly effective in treating jaw pain, even when other treatment methods haven’t made a difference. This is because we’re able to directly target the muscles responsible for your pain.

How do Botox injections for TMJ work?

  • Botox disrupts communication between nerves and injected muscles to calm those muscles.
  • If you have been clenching your jaw while sleeping, or doing so unconsciously during the day, you don’t have control over when those muscles are active.
  • Botox removes your intent from the situation to keep your jaw at rest.
  • The appropriate amount of Botox will be injected so that your jaw is calm at night, but you’re still able to speak and chew comfortably.
  • Botox has transformed our patients’ lives when other TMJ treatment options like night guards haven’t worked. This is because only Botox gets to the root of the problem to put your jaw at rest.

Dr. Montalvo and Dr. Andrade are experts in facial musculature from their decades of practicing dentistry. They have also trained in advanced jaw injection techniques to provide predictable, effective treatments to their patients. Request a free consultation to learn whether Botox could be appropriate for your jaw pain.

Bruxism / Night Guards

woman putting a night guard onto her top teethCountless adults (the majority) suffer from bruxism, chronic teeth grinding. The insidious aspect of bruxism is that patients generally don’t realize they are grinding. It tends to be subconscious. Have you ever caught yourself clenching while concentrating or working hard? We are most susceptible to bruxism while sleeping, when our jaws can grind unchecked. Grinding is terrible for your enamel, and can wear down teeth, create sensitivity, irritate gums and cause gum recession, bring on jaw pain, and disturb your partner’s sleep.

Your dentist will be able to recognize the telltale signs of bruxism after examining your teeth, and will recommend a night guard. This hard plastic tray will create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth while sleeping. Your night guard will be custom-made from an impression of your teeth, and will fit perfectly. A night guard will even last up to ten years.

Behaviorally, there are several exercises you can do to stop grinding. Try training your jaw to be free and easy; there’s no reason for it to be clenched throughout the day. Don’t chew gum or non-food objects (take that pen out of your mouth!) Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks also increase the chance that you will grind.

Malocclusions / Occlusal Adjustments

If you have chronically sore or lopsided-feeling jaws, you may need an occlusal adjustment. An adjustment will correct your bite alignment, which can become misaligned from loose, overly crowded, shifting, or missing teeth. An even bite (proper occlusion) will distribute pressure evenly and your teeth will meet correctly. Your dentist will scan your mouth to record bite registrations and uncover irregularities. This will allow your dentist to make a precise occlusal adjustment. An occlusal adjustment is simple and only slightly uncomfortable. Your dentist will use a dental drill to file teeth. Mouthpieces will also be used to protect your teeth and help relax your jaw.

Schedule a Jaw Pain Consultation & Receive 10% Off Botox for the Jaw Muscles

*Individual experiences may vary. No specific treatment results guaranteed.