Jaw Joint Care
What Causes TMJ Disorder and
How Is It Treated
at Royal Oak Smiles in Calgary?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing pain, clicking, limited mouth opening, morning headaches, and ear symptoms. Contributing factors include tooth grinding (bruxism), bite imbalances, jaw muscle tension, and joint degeneration. Royal Oak Smiles provides a systematic TMJ assessment — identifying the specific drivers — and develops a personalized treatment plan that may include custom occlusal splints, bite adjustments, and referrals to physiotherapy or oral surgery specialists when indicated.
Treatment Options
What TMJ Treatment Options Are Available
at Royal Oak Smiles?
Comprehensive Assessment
Jaw joint mobility, muscle tenderness, bite alignment, and X-ray findings are systematically evaluated to identify the specific drivers of your TMJ symptoms.
Occlusal Splint
A custom splint repositions the jaw, relieves muscle tension, and prevents grinding forces from overloading the joint — most patients notice improvement within 2 to 4 weeks.
Bite Adjustment
Where uneven tooth contacts are contributing to joint stress, selective equilibration creates a balanced bite that reduces harmful forces on the TMJ.
Physiotherapy Referral
For muscle-dominant TMJ disorders, we refer to physiotherapists specializing in jaw rehabilitation — exercises, manual therapy, and posture correction.
Accepting new patients. Open 7 days a week in Royal Oak, NW Calgary. Call to book →
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About TMJ Treatment in Calgary
Common TMJ symptoms that Royal Oak Smiles can assess and treat include: jaw pain or soreness, clicking or popping when opening or closing, limited mouth opening, morning headaches, ear pain or fullness, neck and shoulder tension, and tooth grinding (bruxism). Not all jaw pain is TMJ disorder, and not all TMJ cases require the same treatment — a comprehensive assessment determines which factors are driving your symptoms and which interventions are appropriate.
An occlusal splint (night guard) is a custom-fitted oral device worn over the upper or lower teeth during sleep. It repositions the jaw in a decompressed, relaxed position, cushions the joint from grinding forces, and reduces muscle overactivation. At Royal Oak Smiles, splints are fabricated from detailed impressions to fit precisely — a poor-fitting generic splint can worsen TMJ symptoms. Most patients experience significant reduction in morning jaw pain and headaches within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent wear.
Most TMJ cases are managed effectively by a general dentist. Royal Oak Smiles provides comprehensive TMJ assessment, custom occlusal splints, and bite adjustment. For muscle-dominant cases or patients with significant joint degeneration, Dr. Khattra refers to physiotherapists specializing in jaw rehabilitation or to oral and maxillofacial surgeons when surgical evaluation is needed. The majority of patients see meaningful improvement without specialist referral.
The timeline for TMJ treatment varies by case. Mild to moderate cases managed with an occlusal splint often show improvement within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent nightly wear. Bite adjustment and physiotherapy add parallel timelines. Royal Oak Smiles schedules follow-up appointments to monitor progress and fine-tune the splint as needed. Chronic or severe TMJ disorder may require ongoing management over several months.
Coverage for TMJ treatment depends on your insurance plan. Custom occlusal splints are covered by some Alberta dental plans under specific diagnostic codes. Royal Oak Smiles submits pre-authorizations to your insurer before fabricating a splint so you know your coverage in advance. Direct billing is available to most major Alberta dental insurance providers. Call (403) 374-6161 to discuss your plan.