TMJ-TMD
TMJ Treatment & TMD Evaluation
Jaw pain, headaches, facial muscle tension, clicking or popping when you chew, and difficulty opening your mouth can make everyday activities uncomfortable. These symptoms may be signs of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), commonly referred to as TMJ, a condition affecting the jaw joints, muscles, and surrounding structures that can impact your comfort, function, and quality of life.
At Hooksett Family Dental, Dr. Spargimino and Dr. Marquis have completed advanced continuing education focused on the evaluation and management of temporomandibular disorders. We believe that effective treatment begins with understanding the underlying cause of your symptoms. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive evaluation, identify potential contributing factors, and develop a personalized treatment plan that supports your long-term oral health and overall well-being.
Common Signs & Symptoms of TMD
A TMJ/TMD evaluation may be beneficial if you're experiencing:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Ear pain, ringing, or a feeling of fullness
- Facial pain or muscle fatigue
- Neck or shoulder discomfort
- Pain when yawning or opening your mouth wide
- Difficulty chewing
- Limited jaw opening or a jaw that locks
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together
Our Comprehensive Approach
Temporomandibular disorders can have many contributing factors, which is why no two treatment plans are exactly alike. Rather than simply treating symptoms, we take the time to understand what may be contributing to your discomfort so we can recommend the most appropriate course of care.
Your comprehensive evaluation may include:
- Review of your medical and dental history
- Discussion of your symptoms and concerns
- Examination of your jaw joints and surrounding muscles
- Bite analysis
- Assessment for teeth grinding or clenching
- Digital imaging when clinically appropriate
After your evaluation, we'll discuss our findings, answer your questions, and recommend the next steps that best fit your individual needs.
Personalized Care
Because every patient is different, treatment recommendations are based on your individual diagnosis and goals. Depending on your condition, your personalized treatment plan may include:
- Custom occlusal splint therapy
- Bite stabilization when appropriate
- Home care recommendations and jaw exercises when appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring of your symptoms
- Coordination with other healthcare providers when additional evaluation or treatment is appropriate
Because TMD can have many underlying causes, some patients benefit from a collaborative approach to care. When appropriate, we work closely with trusted healthcare professionals—including physical therapists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, primary care physicians, sleep medicine providers, ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, and other medical professionals—to help ensure you receive the care that's most appropriate for your condition.
Compassionate, Personalized Care
At Hooksett Family Dental, we understand that jaw pain and facial discomfort can affect nearly every aspect of your daily life. Our commitment is to listen carefully, perform a thorough evaluation, and guide you toward the treatment—or combination of treatments—that best addresses the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Whether your care is provided in our office or in collaboration with other trusted healthcare professionals, our goal is to help you achieve lasting comfort, improved function, and a healthier quality of life through compassionate, personalized care.
