Jaw pain. Clicking joints. Headaches that start at the temples. The fix is rarely a stronger painkiller, it is often a different look at how you sleep and how you bite.

TMJ Treatment in Stephenville, TX

Airway-aware evaluation, custom occlusal splints, and the AAOSH-trained perspective that connects your jaw pain to how you breathe at night. Dr. Stephen LaDuque, Stephenville.

A different way to look at jaw pain

Why TMJ patients choose Dental Excellence

Common TMJ questions

What is TMJ?+

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joints, the two hinge joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. "TMJ disorder" or "TMD" is the clinical name for pain, clicking, popping, or limited movement of those joints. It affects roughly 10% of adults at some point.

What causes TMJ pain?+

The most common drivers are nighttime clenching and grinding (often a sign of airway compromise during sleep), bite imbalance, jaw injury, and stress-related muscle tension. Many TMJ cases at Dental Excellence trace back to airway issues we identify during the AAOSH-trained exam.

How do you treat TMJ?+

Treatment depends on the cause. Options include a custom occlusal splint (night guard) to protect the teeth and reposition the jaw, bite adjustment, oral appliance therapy when sleep-disordered breathing is the underlying issue, physical therapy referral, and stress-reduction work. We start conservative and escalate only if needed.

What does a custom night guard cost?+

A custom occlusal splint typically runs $400 to $800 in central Texas, depending on type. We use intraoral digital scanning so there are no goopy impressions, and most insurance plans cover at least part of the cost when a TMJ diagnosis is documented.

Is a drugstore mouthguard enough?+

For most TMJ cases, no. Off-the-shelf "boil-and-bite" guards can actually make grinding worse by encouraging the jaw to chew on the soft material. Custom-fit splints are made from medical-grade thermoplastic, designed to your specific bite, and engineered to redirect force away from the joint.

How does airway dentistry connect to TMJ?+

When the airway narrows during sleep, the body subconsciously clenches the jaw to push the lower jaw forward and reopen the airway. Months and years of nighttime clenching wear down the joints and the teeth. Treating the underlying airway issue, often with an oral appliance, frequently relieves TMJ symptoms in ways a night guard alone cannot.

When should I see someone for jaw pain?+

If pain wakes you, limits your jaw opening (you can't fit three fingers vertically between your front teeth), causes recurring headaches, or comes with locking or clicking, schedule a visit. Earlier intervention is simpler and less expensive.