Your jaw is one of the most active joints in your body. You use it to talk, chew, laugh, and yawn. Yet you probably don’t give it much thought, despite all it does for you. That is, until it starts to hurt.
At Smith Haven Dental, our jaw pain dentist in Nesconset gives your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) the attention it deserves. We don’t jump to conclusions or one-size-fits-all fixes. Instead, our team listens, looks, and works with you to figure out what’s gone wrong and how to make it better.
Your TMJ connects your jaw to your head. When it’s out of balance, that’s when problems start. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include jaw tension, jaw and ear pain on one side, popping and clicking, and even a feeling like the joint is locked in place.
What causes this temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)? There are a lot of factors:
Teeth grinding or clenching can contribute to a TMJ disorder.
Stress, bite misalignment, sleep habits, and even some medications. We dive into all the potential causes in your case.
You can carry a lot of anxiety and stress in your jaw joint, causing dysfunction.
Don’t downplay your pain because it’s “just stress.” Stress and pain are both legitimate conditions, and we can help. Let’s talk.
If your teeth and jaw are misaligned, the joint won’t move smoothly.
Your TMJ is like a hinge. If your bite isn’t balanced, that hinge has to work unevenly, which puts strain in the wrong places, causing pain.
Wear and tear and other health conditions can take their toll on your TMJ.
Absolutely. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect your jaw. We can work with your doctor to help manage inflammation.
Teeth grinding or clenching can contribute to a TMJ disorder.
Stress, bite misalignment, sleep habits, and even some medications. We dive into all the potential causes in your case.
If your teeth and jaw are misaligned, the joint won’t move smoothly.
Your TMJ is like a hinge. If your bite isn’t balanced, that hinge has to work unevenly, which puts strain in the wrong places, causing pain.
You can carry a lot of anxiety and stress in your jaw joint, causing dysfunction.
Don’t downplay your pain because it’s “just stress.” Stress and pain are both legitimate conditions, and we can help. Let’s talk.
Wear and tear and other health conditions can take their toll on your TMJ.
Absolutely. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect your jaw. We can work with your doctor to help manage inflammation.
Our TMJ therapy on Long Island not only focuses on stopping pain. We work to understand your unique experience with it to provide the most comprehensive treatment plan. After evaluating your bite and jaw, we’ll talk through options like:
If it’s affecting your oral health, we make it our business. That includes finding ways to reduce your anxiety.
We can show you simple daily habits to ease tension and improve movement.
Gentle realignment with Invisalign® can help move your teeth and jaw so that they meet comfortably.
If you’re waking up with TMJ pain, a custom night guard might be your best friend while you sleep. Unlike store-bought versions, ours are precision-fit to your bite, comfortable, and built to last.
TMJ night guards help your muscles relax and your jaw rest easy. On top of that, because your upper and lower teeth don’t touch, they’re protected from pressure and grinding. You won’t believe how much better your nights will be and how much better your mornings will feel.
Life gets hectic, especially for families. That’s why we offer family block appointments, so everyone can get the care they need in one convenient visit. Less time running around, more time smiling together.
With over 40 years of combined experience, we bring expertise and heart to every patient we see. Modern dentistry with old-fashioned values? That’s us, and we can’t wait to show you the difference.
From the moment you walk into our Nesconset dental office, you’re greeted personally, treated like family, and cared for like a friend. Behind every tooth is a person, and we never forget that.
TMJ pain can sneak into your life with tension that turns into headaches and jaw pain that eventually makes you skip your favorite foods. The Smith Haven Dental team is here to help you find answers, whether that’s simple lifestyle changes or a custom night guard in Nesconset. Schedule now—your best smile awaits.