Start with an evaluation of your jaw pain.
Jaw soreness, painful clicking, or difficulty chewing can make everyday activities frustrating. Village Dental helps patients in Raleigh, North Raleigh, Brier Creek, and Wake Forest begin with an assessment and discuss appropriate next steps.
TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMD refers to disorders affecting the jaw joints or chewing muscles. Jaw pain, painful clicking, stiffness, or locking can have several causes. An examination helps determine whether your symptoms are related to TMD, a dental problem, or another condition.
Pain with chewing, jaw stiffness, locking, or a change in comfortable movement deserves attention. Clicking without pain is common and does not automatically need treatment. Headaches or ear-area pain can have other causes, so describe the full pattern of your symptoms.
Before your visit, note when the problem started, which activities aggravate it, and any recent injury or dental treatment. Bring an existing appliance and a medication list. These details help your dentist decide what needs further assessment.
Your visit starts with an assessment of your teeth, jaw movement, and symptoms. Village Dental offers custom-fitted bite guards and night guards at all four offices when protection from grinding is appropriate. Your dentist checks the fit and explains follow-up care.
Your dentist can discuss changes to jaw habits and other conservative next steps. If symptoms persist or your findings call for additional expertise, a referral to an orofacial pain specialist or another clinician may be appropriate.
A night guard can protect teeth from grinding, but it may not relieve jaw pain. The right approach depends on the cause of your symptoms. If an appliance causes pain or no longer fits comfortably, stop using it and contact your dentist.
Bruxism means clenching or grinding the teeth; TMD describes jaw-joint or muscle disorders. They can occur together, but one does not establish the other. Tooth wear, jaw pain, and disrupted sleep may require different assessments.
Tell your clinician about snoring, waking unrefreshed, or a partner noticing breathing pauses. A tooth-protection guard is not the same as an appliance prescribed for sleep apnea. Further medical evaluation may be appropriate.
Ask what the initial evaluation covers, whether imaging or a referral is indicated, and how any proposed treatment will be monitored. Coverage may depend on the service and whether dental or medical benefits apply; confirm expected costs with the office and your insurer.
If your jaw locks or you cannot eat or drink normally, seek prompt assessment. Facial swelling, fever, or a dental injury may need urgent care. Contact our emergency dentistry team for dental concerns; trouble breathing or swallowing requires emergency medical help.
Four neighborhood offices in Olde Raleigh, North Raleigh, Brier Creek, and Wake Forest.
Co-founders Chris Martin, DDS and Maja Martin, DDS earned their dental degrees at UNC. Both received Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry in 2018.
Meet our dentists and explore their training to get to know the team at your preferred office.
Start with an assessment of your symptoms and teeth. Our offices offer custom-fitted night guards for appropriate tooth-protection needs. Your dentist can explain when further specialist evaluation may be helpful.
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Choose a convenient Village Dental office. When scheduling, confirm the appropriate clinician, treatment availability, and any consultation or referral needs.
3101 Edwards Mill Rd #103
Raleigh, NC 27612
Convenient for patients looking for care near Edwards Mill Road in west Raleigh.
7371 Six Forks Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
Choose the Six Forks Road office for dental care in North Raleigh.
4203 Corners Pkwy, Ste 100
Raleigh, NC 27617
A Corners Parkway location for patients in the Brier Creek area of Raleigh.
11480 Capital Blvd, Ste 115
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Visit the Capital Boulevard office for care in Wake Forest.
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Patient education from Village Dental · Content updated . Your dentist will tailor recommendations to your examination and health history.
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Schedule an evaluation to discuss your symptoms, appropriate care, and whether a specialist should be involved.
Olde Raleigh · North Raleigh · Brier Creek · Wake Forest