TMJ Therapy in Langdon, AB
TMJ Therapy at Langdon Dental
Jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and difficulty chewing aren’t something you have to live with. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the body — and when it’s not functioning properly, the effects can ripple out into your muscles, your bite, your sleep, and even your posture. At Langdon Dental Associates, we take a thorough, technology-driven approach to diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, so treatment is based on objective data about your specific joint and muscle function — not guesswork
Common Signs of TMJ Dysfunction
- Jaw pain, clicking, popping, or locking
- Frequent headaches or migraines, especially upon waking
- Facial or ear pain
- Difficulty or discomfort opening wide, chewing, or yawning
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Worn, cracked, or shifting teeth
If any of this sounds familiar, a comprehensive TMJ evaluation is the first step toward understanding what’s really going on.
Our Comprehensive TMJ Examination
Muscle and Joint Assessment
We begin with a hands-on evaluation of your jaw muscles and the TMJ itself, checking for tenderness, tension, asymmetry, and joint sounds. This helps us determine whether your symptoms are primarily muscular, joint-related, or a combination of both.
Range of Motion Testing
We measure how far and how symmetrically your jaw opens, moves side to side, and moves forward, comparing your movement patterns against healthy norms to identify restrictions or deviations.
3D Imaging of the TMJ
Using CBCT (3D cone beam) imaging, we get a detailed look at the bony anatomy of both joints — condyle position, joint space, and any degenerative changes — that simply isn’t visible on a standard X-ray or clinical exam alone.
K7 Evaluation (EMG Muscle Tension Analysis)
We use the K7 system to measure the electrical activity (EMG) of your jaw and facial muscles. This tells us objectively which muscles are overworking, whether there’s asymmetry between the left and right sides, and how your muscles are behaving at rest versus during function — data that guides a much more precise treatment plan than a physical exam alone.
Together, these findings give us a complete picture: the structure of your joint, the health and behavior of your muscles, and how your jaw actually moves — so treatment is targeted to your specific findings rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
What to Expect at Our Clinic
Our TMJ Treatment Modalities
TENS Therapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) uses gentle electrical pulses to relax overactive jaw and facial muscles, reduce muscle tension, and help establish a more physiologic, relaxed resting position for the jaw before further diagnostics or treatment.
K7 Jaw Tracking for TMJ Positioning
Beyond muscle analysis, the K7 system also allows us to precisely track jaw movement and identify the most physiologically balanced position for your bite and joints. This data helps guide treatment — whether that’s an oral appliance, bite adjustment, or restorative plan — toward a position that reduces strain on the joint and muscles.
T-Scan Bite Analysis and Equilibration
The T-Scan is a digital bite analysis system that measures the timing, force, and distribution of your bite in real time — down to the millisecond. Many TMJ cases involve uneven bite contacts that overload certain teeth and muscles. Using T-Scan data, we can precisely equilibrate (fine-tune) your bite to create a more even, balanced contact pattern, reducing excess strain on the joint and muscles.
Neuromodulator (Botox) Injections
For patients with significant muscle tension, clenching, or grinding, we offer neuromodulator injections into the muscles of mastication (such as the masseter and temporalis). This helps reduce muscle hyperactivity and associated pain, often providing meaningful relief for chronic clenching, tension headaches, and jaw soreness, and can complement other TMJ treatment strategies.
What to Expect From Treatment
TMJ therapy is rarely a single appointment — it’s a process. After your comprehensive exam and diagnostics, we’ll review your findings together and build a treatment plan tailored to what’s actually driving your symptoms, which may combine several of the modalities above. Many patients notice improvement in muscle tension and comfort within the first few weeks of treatment, with ongoing monitoring to fine-tune your plan as your jaw and muscles respond.
Need Assistance? We Can Help!
If you’re interested in neuromuscular therapy near you to address TMJ challenges, please contact Langdon Dental. Our helpful, capable staff members are here to guide you through the treatment, ensuring you obtain the correct treatment for your dental and general health.
Call us at (403) 936-8432 to get started.
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