Jaw pain often makes eating or opening your mouth uncomfortable. At Pape Dental Centre, we examine your jaw movement and teeth to identify possible causes of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Our clinic is a two-minute walk from Pape Station.
The temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull near your ears. They help you chew and speak while allowing your mouth to open and close.
TMJ refers to the joint itself. TMD describes problems with the joint or the muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include pain near the jaw, clicking sounds, or stiffness. Some people also experience headaches or difficulty opening their mouths.
Look for these signs during daily activities:
Grinding your teeth at night or clenching them during the day puts extra pressure on your jaw muscles. You might wake up with soreness or headaches. We check your teeth for signs of grinding and assess your jaw symptoms.
A blow to your face sometimes damages the jaw joint. You might notice swelling or difficulty opening your mouth after an injury. Arrange an assessment if your jaw movement has changed.
Arthritis affects the tissues inside your joints, including the jaw joints. It often causes pain during movement or stiffness after rest.
A broken tooth or worn dental restoration sometimes changes how your teeth fit together. We examine your bite to identify problems that need treatment. An uneven bite alone does not confirm the cause of TMD, so we recommend bite adjustment only when our findings support it.
We start with conservative care and recommend treatment based on your symptoms and examination findings.
Grinding your teeth puts pressure on your teeth and jaw muscles. A custom night guard protects your teeth from excessive wear. An occlusal splint serves specific treatment needs.
We check your bite before recommending an appliance. At follow-up visits, we review its fit and your symptoms. These appliances help manage certain TMD problems, but they do not address every cause of jaw pain.
A broken tooth or worn restoration sometimes affects your bite. We examine the affected area before recommending treatment. A dental crown restores the shape and function of a damaged tooth.
We do not reshape healthy teeth simply because your jaw hurts. Bite adjustment requires a clear clinical reason.
Small changes at home can ease pressure on a sore jaw. Stick to softer foods when chewing hurts, and skip gum until the discomfort settles. Keep yawns small, since opening too wide can aggravate the joint. A warm compress loosens tight muscles, while a cloth-wrapped cold pack calms soreness. If your dentist recommends jaw exercises, do them gently and stop the moment any movement makes the pain worse.
Every dentist at our clinic is registered with the RCDSO and holds membership with the ODA.
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Mild symptoms sometimes improve with rest and reduced jaw strain. Persistent pain needs an assessment, especially if your jaw locks repeatedly.
We start with an examination and take a digital scan or dental impressions. A dental laboratory then makes your appliance. Many custom guards take about one to two weeks, depending on the laboratory schedule. We check the fit at your next appointment.
A store-bought mouthguard primarily protects your teeth during sports. It does not necessarily fit your bite or address the cause of your jaw pain. A poorly fitting appliance sometimes increases discomfort.
Clicking without pain or restricted movement often needs no treatment. Avoid forcing your jaw to click repeatedly. Book an assessment if clicking becomes painful or your jaw starts locking.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan does not cover TMJ treatment, including night guards. About private dental insurance, it depends on your plan. Some dental plans cover a custom occlusal splint or night guard, often with a dollar limit or a frequency limit.
Pape Dental Centre offers evening appointments Monday through Thursday until 8 PM. Saturday hours run from 9 AM to 5 PM. Call the clinic to confirm availability and book your assessment.
