If your jaw clicks, aches, or locks up, or if you wake with headaches and a sore face, the cause may be your jaw joint. This joint is called the TMJ, and when it is strained, the pain can spread to your head, neck, and ears. At Luka Dental Care in London, Ontario, we find the cause of TMJ pain and treat it, so you can chew, talk, and sleep without it taking over your day.
Many people live with this pain for years thinking nothing can be done. That is not true. The right treatment often brings real relief.
Grinding is one of the most common triggers. If you clench at night, learn more on our teeth grinding and bruxism page. When the problem sits in the joint itself, our page on jaw disorders and TMD explains what we look for.
The TMJ connects your lower jaw to your skull. Several things can throw it off balance:
Grinding or clenching teeth, often during sleep
A bite that does not line up
Stress that keeps the jaw muscles tense
Injury to the jaw or face
Worn or missing teeth that change how the jaw rests
Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face, or around the ear
A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth
A jaw that locks or feels stuck
Frequent headaches, often in the morning
Worn, flat, or sensitive teeth from grinding
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, a consultation with our TMJ dentist in London, Ontario, can help clarify what’s going on and how we can help.
Treatment starts with finding out why your jaw hurts. We examine your bite, your jaw movement, and your teeth for signs of grinding or strain. From there, we build a plan that fits the cause.
For most patients, a custom night guard is the core of treatment. It is a thin, fitted appliance that stops your teeth from grinding and takes pressure off the joint while you sleep. Our custom night guards are made to your exact bite, not bought off a shelf.
Here is where we have an edge. Each guard is custom night guards made in our lab, on site. That means a better fit, faster turnaround, and easy adjustments if anything needs fine-tuning.
When the bite or worn teeth are part of the problem, we may pair the guard with other care to fix the root cause and protect the result.
While we treat the cause, a few habits ease the pain in the meantime. Eating softer foods, resting the jaw, and applying gentle heat all help calm tense muscles. For more home steps, read how to relieve TMJ pain. And if you are wondering whether this is something you will deal with forever, our post on whether TMJ is treatable walks through what to expect.
Ask about your symptoms and medical history
Examine your jaw joint and surrounding muscles
Listen for clicks, pops, or irregular movement
Evaluate your bite and how your teeth come together
Take digital imaging if needed (including CBCT scans for a 3D view)
This comprehensive assessment allows us to identify whether TMJ disorder is present, how severe it is, and what treatment options are best suited for you.
At Luka Dental Care, we offer a range of non-invasive, conservative treatment options for managing TMJ disorder. Our care plans are customized based on your symptoms, habits, and lifestyle.
Night guards work by:
This is often the first step in treatment and provides significant relief for many patients.
Sometimes, your teeth may not meet evenly, placing excess pressure on specific points of the jaw. This imbalance can lead to discomfort, jaw tension, and even contribute to TMJ issues. A bite adjustment is a simple procedure that involves reshaping targeted areas of the teeth to improve how they come together.
By fine-tuning your bite, we can help balance the pressure across your jaw, improve jaw movement, and reduce strain on the TMJ joint. This can also ease related muscle fatigue and contribute to long-term comfort and stability.
We may recommend specific exercises or refer you to a physiotherapist trained in TMJ care. These exercises can help:
Strengthen jaw muscles
Improve range of motion
Reduce stiffness
Promote better posture and alignment
At-home stretches and habits are an important part of keeping your TMJ symptoms under control long-term.
Since stress is a common trigger for jaw clenching and grinding, we’ll talk about ways to reduce daily stress. This could include:
Meditation or mindfulness
Breathing techniques
Adjusting your workspace or sleep routine
Tips for managing anxiety-related habits
We take a whole-person approach to TMJ treatment—because it’s not just about the jaw, it’s about your overall wellness.
In addition to professional treatment, there are everyday changes you can make to reduce TMJ flare-ups and protect your jaw from strain.
Here are some dentist-approved tips we often share with patients:
TMJ disorder doesn’t just affect your jaw—it can trigger a ripple effect throughout your entire body. The chronic pain and muscle tension often associated with TMJ can make it difficult to sleep, concentrate, or fully enjoy daily activities. Over time, these symptoms can wear you down both physically and emotionally.
If left untreated, TMJ can also contribute to more complex issues like bruxism-related tooth damage, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), poor head and neck posture, ongoing fatigue due to interrupted sleep, and even heightened stress or anxiety levels.
That’s why it’s important to take action early. Working with a trusted TMJ dentist in London can help you manage symptoms before they escalate—and support your overall well-being in the process.
Most TMJ issues can be successfully treated with non-surgical methods such as bite adjustments, night guards, or physical therapy. However, in rare and more severe cases where conservative approaches aren’t effective, surgical intervention may be considered as a next step.
If necessary, we’ll refer you to a trusted TMJ specialist in London, Ontario, who can evaluate your condition for options like arthrocentesis, joint arthroscopy, or open joint surgery. Surgery is always considered a last resort—and is rarely needed when TMJ symptoms are addressed early with proper care.
Your TMJ treatment journey at Luka Dental Care is personalized to your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. Here’s a general overview of what to expect when you begin care with us:
Initial Consultation
We’ll listen to your symptoms, perform a jaw exam, and review your bite.
Digital Imaging
3D scans and X-rays help us understand the joint structure and assess wear or misalignment.
Custom Treatment Plan
You’ll get a detailed explanation of your diagnosis and all the treatment options available.
Comfort-First Approach
Whether it’s a night guard or bite adjustment, our treatments are designed to minimize stress and improve results.
Ongoing Check-Ins
We’ll monitor your progress over time and make adjustments if needed for long-term success.
At Luka Dental Care, we use modern technology to improve the accuracy, comfort, and efficiency of TMJ diagnosis and treatment. Here’s how:
Provide a clear view of the jaw and surrounding structures with minimal radiation
Offers a detailed 3D image of the temporomandibular joint and related anatomy
Capture exact models of your bite for a custom-fitted night guard.
Allows us to create your splint or guard quickly with precision
Measures pressure points across your teeth for a better-balanced bite
Our process combines insight, technology, and step-by-step care to get you back to feeling like yourself again.
We scan your bite and take imaging to assess joint alignment and muscle tension.
Using advanced diagnostics, we determine the root cause of your TMJ discomfort.
Whether it’s a custom night guard, bite adjustment, or exercises, we create a plan built for you.
If a device is needed, our in-house lab creates your appliance with a precise fit and fast turnaround.
We follow up with you regularly to track your comfort, sleep quality, and jaw function.
Samantha M.
TMJ patient at Luka Dental Care
Our practice is known for combining advanced technology with a compassionate, patient-first approach. We understand that TMJ disorders don’t just affect your jaw—they affect your daily life, your sleep, and your mental well-being.
Here’s why patients trust us:
We use advanced imaging to accurately diagnose TMJ issues and tailor your treatment to fit your lifestyle and needs.
Our on-site lab allows us to create high-quality, custom night guards quickly and with precision.
Our team listens closely to your concerns and monitors your progress to ensure long-term relief and results.
You do not have to push through jaw pain and morning headaches. Let us find the cause and build a plan to fix it. Call 519-472-4460 or visit our contact page to book a TMJ consultation.
If you have chronic jaw pain, clicking or popping noises, headaches, or trouble opening and closing your mouth, schedule a TMJ evaluation.
Mild cases may improve with rest and stress reduction, but many people benefit from custom treatment to prevent worsening.
They can offer temporary relief but often don’t fit well or protect your bite properly. A custom night guard is safer and more effective.
Coverage varies depending on your plan. We can help you review your benefits and provide estimates before beginning care.
Some patients feel relief within days of using a night guard, while others may need a few weeks of combined therapy to notice significant improvement.
2101 Aldersbrook Rd, London, ON N6G 3X1
