Advanced Care

TMJ Treatment in Vista, CA

Relief for jaw pain, clicking and headaches from a dentist who treats TMJ, starting with the most conservative care.

TMJ Disorder

What Is TMJ Disorder, or TMD?

Your temporomandibular joints are the two small sliding hinges, one in front of each ear, that connect your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorder (TMD) is when they don’t work as they should, and it can make chewing, talking and even yawning painful.

Dr. Coleman takes the time to listen, works out what’s behind your symptoms, and builds a plan with you.

A dental assistant checking a smiling patient's jaw
Dr. Rice and a team member talking in a treatment room
Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of TMD?

Left alone, TMD can lead to worn or fractured teeth, interrupted sleep and ongoing inflammation, so it’s worth getting looked at.

Why It Happens

What Are the Causes of TMD?

Often there’s no single clear cause. Stress, fatigue, an injury, an uneven bite, wear on the joints, teeth grinding, arthritis and fibromyalgia can all play a part.
Conservative Care First

How is TMD Treated?

Jaw Exercises and Anti-Inflammatories

Strengthening exercises and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can calm the joint and the muscles around it.

Bite Adjustment

Adjusting how the biting surfaces of your teeth meet can help your jaw close the way it should.

A Custom Oral Appliance

A night guard made for your mouth stops grinding and eases pressure on the joint.
Severe cases may need surgery, and we’ll refer you if that’s the right step.
What to Expect

Your TMJ Visit

1

The Exam

Tell us where it hurts, which movements are hard and what you’ve already tried. We look at your jaw, your bite and your teeth.
2

Your Plan

We start with the most conservative treatment that fits and build from there if you need more.
In Their Own Words

Trusted by Patients in Vista

See what our patients are saying about their experience, and explore more reviews on Google.

Payment, Insurance and Financing

Your Estimate Comes With Your Treatment Plan

The cost depends on the treatment your plan needs, and you’ll get an estimate with it. We accept most major insurance plans and will go through your coverage with you. If you don’t have insurance, the Coleman Loyalty Plan covers preventive care and discounts other treatment, and financing is available to qualified patients.
Sleep and Bite

Other Care Patients Ask About

Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Custom oral appliances that help keep your airway open at night.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

When worn or broken teeth and an uneven bite need work across the whole mouth.

Before You Decide

Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment

Can a dentist treat TMJ disorder?
Yes. A dentist can treat TMD with bite adjustment, custom night guards and other conservative care, and refers out the rare cases that need surgery.
It can be. Ear pain is a common TMD symptom and is often mistaken for an ear infection. An exam can tell you which it is.
Treatment starts conservative. Severe cases may need surgery, and if yours does, we’ll refer you for that care.
In Person or From Home

Schedule a TMJ Consultation in Vista

Our Vista office is a short drive from Oceanside, San Marcos, Carlsbad and Escondido. If you’d rather start from home, send a few photos of your smile and Dr. Coleman will record a video walking you through your options. For new patients, the exam and X-rays come with no out-of-pocket cost.