TMJ Service Line
Specialized Relief for TMJ & Jaw Pain in Houston
When the hinge-and-slide mechanics at each ear fall out of sync, pain rarely stays politely inside the joint. MAP Dental Center Houston pairs high-definition imaging with conservative, reversible therapies first—right on Greenhouse Rd for West Houston and Katy families.
Diagnostics
TMJ Diagnostics at MAP Dental Center
How we evaluate jaw pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull on each side. Problems with the joint, disc, muscles, or bite can cause pain, clicking, limited opening, headaches, and ear-related symptoms.
Your evaluation is built on three parts. Findings from each step guide whether we recommend splint therapy, bite adjustment, therapeutic Botox®, physical therapy, or referral to a specialist.
Clinical Exam
We review your symptoms and medical history, measure how wide you can open, listen for joint sounds, and palpate the jaw muscles and joint area. We also check how your teeth meet (occlusion) and whether clenching or grinding is a factor.
CBCT Imaging
When needed, cone-beam CT (CBCT) shows the condyle, joint space, and surrounding bone in three dimensions. This helps us see arthritic changes, bone loss, or structural issues that are not visible on a standard panoramic X-ray alone.
Bite Analysis
We evaluate how your upper and lower teeth contact when you bite and slide. Uneven loading or a poor bite relationship can overload the TMJ and muscles. Bite records may be used to plan a splint or selective adjustment (equilibration).
Symptom map
More Than Just a Jaw Ache
Recognizing the signs of TMJ dysfunction
TMJ symptoms rarely stay confined to the joint line. Because the TMJs sit beside the ear canal and share neurologic highways with the head and neck, dysfunction can read like migraines, sinus pressure, or shoulder tightness until someone maps the pattern.
Are you experiencing these persistent red flags?
Chronic headaches
Often mistaken for migraines—these are frequently driven by muscle tension through the temples and scalp referral.
Tinnitus & ear fullness
Inflammation and tension near the joint can contribute to ringing or a persistent "clogged" ear sensation.
Joint sounds
Clicking, popping, or a coarse grating quality when chewing or speaking as the disc–condyle relationship changes.
Restricted movement
A sense that the jaw is stuck, catches mid-open, or cannot comfortably clear a full sandwich bite.
Facial & neck fatigue
A constant heavy feeling through the cheeks or unexplained soreness climbing into the upper shoulders.
Our three-tiered approach
Conservative First. Coordinated When You Need More.
Splints, therapeutic Botox®, and occlusal refinement stack in a sequence that matches your exam—not a one-size template. Drs. Mofid and Khorram document comfort, range of motion, and load before each step advances.
Reversible Splint Therapy
Custom-engineered orthotics designed to de-program hyperactive jaw muscles and protect your teeth from nocturnal grinding (bruxism).
Neuromuscular Botox®
Targeted therapeutic injections to relax the masseter and temporal muscles, often easing tension-based migraines and jaw locking when conservative care needs an adjunct.
Occlusal Rehabilitation
For durable comfort, we perform measured bite adjustments (equilibration) or restorative alignment so teeth meet in a harmonious, load-balanced position.
Therapeutic Botox® for TMJ
Medical-Grade Comfort. Minimal Downtime.
While often associated with aesthetics, Botox® is a clinical option for TMJ relief when masseter and temporalis hyperactivity drive pain. By temporarily relaxing overactive muscles involved in clenching, many patients notice fewer tension-cluster headaches. Relief often builds over roughly 5–7 days and can last for months; candidacy and dosing are reviewed in-office with informed consent.
Patient questions
TMJ Pain Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on diagnosis, splints, Botox®, surgery, and how Greenhouse Rd visits fit West Houston and Katy schedules.
Get In Touch
Book Your Appointment
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Mon–Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM · Sat–Sun: By appointment