Relief. Balance. Long-Term Stability.
If you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, you’re not alone—and the good news is that effective, conservative treatment is available. At BDFA, our TMJ therapy program is designed to calm overactive muscles, reduce pain, protect the jaw joint, and restore your bite to its most relaxed and stable position.
Why TMJ Therapy Is Done in Phases
TMJ dysfunction is often caused by overactive jaw muscles, clenching or grinding, and an imbalanced bite that places stress on the jaw joints. Because muscles and joints adapt slowly, TMJ therapy works best when treatment is evaluated and adjusted over time, rather than addressed in a single visit.
For this reason, TMJ therapy visits are typically scheduled every 2 months following delivery of your night guard and neuromodulator treatment.
Your Combination TMJ Treatment Plan
1. Night Guard Therapy
Your custom night guard protects your teeth and jaw joints from excessive pressure caused by clenching or grinding. It also helps guide your jaw into a more relaxed, stable position during sleep.
2. Neuromodulator Therapy (Botox® or Dysport®)
Small, targeted doses of Botox or Dysport are used to gently relax overactive jaw muscles. This reduces muscle tension, decreases pain, and allows the jaw joints to function more comfortably.
What Happens at Your 2-Month TMJ Therapy Visits
At each visit, your doctor will compare your current symptoms to your initial evaluation. This helps us track progress and fine-tune your treatment.
If you’re still experiencing pain or discomfort, it’s very important to be as specific as possible when describing:
- Where the pain occurs (jaw, ear, temple, neck, teeth)
- When it happens (morning, chewing, stress, yawning, headaches)
- What triggers it (clenching, talking, exercise, stress)
This information allows your doctor to make precise adjustments and determine whether additional therapy is needed.
Additional Therapies That May Be Used
Depending on your symptoms, your treatment plan may include one or more of the following therapies to further relieve pain and support healing:
• Additional Botox® or Dysport®
If certain muscles remain overactive, small additional doses can provide further relaxation and improved comfort.
• Dry Needling
Dry needling targets tight muscle bands (trigger points) to release tension, improve blood flow, and reduce muscle-related pain.
• Prolotherapy
This regenerative technique stimulates the body’s natural healing response to strengthen supporting ligaments around the jaw joint, improving stability over time.
• Photobiomodulation with the Fotona Nd:YAG Laser
Low-level laser therapy using the Fotona Nd:YAG laser helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and accelerate tissue healing—often providing significant pain relief without medications.
How Long Does TMJ Therapy Take?
TMJ therapy typically lasts 6 to 24 months, depending on the severity of your condition, muscle activity, and how your jaw responds to treatment. Our goal is steady, lasting improvement—not temporary relief.
Long-Term Bite Stability
Once your jaw joints and muscles are stable, your doctor may recommend orthodontic treatment—such as braces or clear aligner therapy—to correct your bite. This step helps maintain your results and reduces the risk of TMJ symptoms returning in the future.
Our Goal for You
The ultimate goal of TMJ therapy at BDFA is to restore comfort, balance, and function—so your jaw can rest in its most relaxed position and you can get back to living without pain.
If you ever have questions or notice changes in your symptoms, please let us know. TMJ therapy works best when we work together.