Conservative · Non-Surgical

Your jaw is under too much load. Let's take the pressure off.

Clicking, popping, jaw pain, headaches, ear pain — TMJ disorder shows up in more ways than most people expect. At Exhale Sinus, TMJ, Headache and Sleep, we find what's driving it and build a conservative, whole-head plan to calm it down. When a custom splint is part of the answer, we connect you with trusted partner providers who specialize in oral appliances.

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What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder affects the muscles and joints that control chewing, speaking, and facial movement. Left untreated, it can cause ongoing inflammation, pain, and even permanent damage to the joint.

Think of your jaw as a joint that never gets to rest. Every time you talk, chew, or swallow — 1,000+ times a day — it takes load. The goal of treatment isn't to mask the pain. It's to unload the joint and quiet the muscles so the tissue can actually heal.

What does TMJ treatment include?

Your plan is built around you — your age, lifestyle, genetics, severity, and other medical factors. We keep it conservative, without invasive procedures or medications unless they're truly needed.
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Botox — Relaxes tense, overworked jaw muscles to relieve pain.

Low-level laser therapy (LLL) — Infrared therapy that promotes cellular repair and calms inflammation.

TENS therapy — Gentle electrical stimulation that relaxes the muscles and helps reset spasm or strain.

Physical therapy & at-home care — Jaw exercises to strengthen, stretch, and restore mobility (through a referral to a specialized practitioner), plus hot and cold compresses to ease inflammation and stiffness.

Bruxism management — Relaxation techniques and jaw management for clenching and grinding, sometimes in collaboration with a specialized practitioner.

Custom splints & oral appliances — We don't fabricate or fit splints in-house. When one is right for you, we refer you to a trusted partner provider who does.

The right combination depends on what's driving your symptoms — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

How does TMJ care work at Exhale?

Here's what to expect:

Evaluation

A full TMJ workup: your history, a muscle and joint exam, and screening for sleep and airway issues, with imaging when indicated.
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Your Plan

We walk you through what's driving your symptoms and build a personalized, conservative treatment plan.
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Treatment

In-office therapies like Botox, low-level laser, and TENS, plus referrals to specialized partners for physical therapy or a custom splint when you need one.
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Follow-up

We check your progress and adjust your plan as your muscles relax and your symptoms settle.
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If a splint is part of your plan, your partner provider handles fabrication, fitting, and adjustments — and we stay coordinated on the rest of your care.

Who is a good candidate for TMJ treatment?

TMJ treatment is typically the right next step when:

Your jaw clicks, pops, or locks — or it's hard to open and close your mouth

You clench or grind at night, or wake up with a sore jaw

You have ear pain, ringing in your ears, or dizziness without a clear cause

Headaches and jaw pain wake you up or peak in the morning

Rest, ice/heat, and jaw exercises haven't been enough

You want lasting relief without surgery

If your jaw pain stems from acute trauma or active joint disease, or your nighttime grinding is tied to sleep apnea, we'll address that first.

What can I expect at my first Exhale visit?

Plan on 45 to 60 minutes. We'll evaluate your jaw, your muscles, and the bigger picture — sleep, airway, and headaches — then walk you through your options. If a custom splint makes sense, we'll connect you with a partner provider. If TMJ treatment isn't the right fit, we'll tell you and explain what is.

Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ)

Measure what migraines are taking from you.

The MSQ measures how much migraines interfere with your life rather than simply how often they occur. Seven questions cover time lost with family and friends, missed responsibilities at work or home, reduced output, low energy, needing help from others, and plans you've cancelled. Each scores 0 to 4, giving a total from 0 to 28 — higher means greater impact. Because frequency alone understates disability, this score helps your physician judge whether preventive treatment is warranted.

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Evidence-Based

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1 Min Assessment

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Confidential

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a night guard and a TMJ splint?

A drugstore night guard is a generic mouthpiece that protects your teeth from grinding but doesn't unload the joint. A TMJ splint is custom-made to your bite and designed to reduce muscle activity and joint load. For true TMJ disorder, the difference matters.

Does Exhale make TMJ splints?

No. We don't fabricate or fit oral appliances in-house. If a splint is right for you, we'll refer you to a trusted partner provider who specializes in them, and we stay coordinated on your care.

Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?

Coverage varies. Our team verifies your benefits for the care we provide before you commit. If you're referred for a splint, the partner provider handles that billing — splints are often covered by dental insurance, and sometimes by medical.

How long does TMJ treatment take?

It depends on what's driving your symptoms and how severe they are. We'll set expectations at your evaluation and adjust your plan as you improve.

What if I have sleep apnea too?

Sleep apnea and TMJ often go hand in hand, and treating the airway usually has to come first. We screen for sleep apnea as part of every TMJ evaluation.

Can children be treated for TMJ?

Rarely, and only with specialized guidance. Pediatric TMJ warrants a different evaluation — our pediatric ENT team can help point you in the right direction.