01
Jaw pain or tenderness
Persistent, and worse when speaking or chewing.
TMJ and TMD Treatment in Katy, TX
TMJ and TMD
Jaw pain, headaches, earaches, a jaw that clicks or locks. Most cases are treated without surgery, and often with an appliance you wear at night.
Is this you
Eight symptoms, and only three of them are jaw pain.
TMD symptoms mimic other conditions, which is why patients so often arrive having been treated for migraine or an ear infection first.
02
Headaches around the temples
Frequent headaches or migraines, sited exactly where the jaw muscle is.
03
Clicking or popping
Or a grating sound, when you open or close your mouth.
04
Ear symptoms
Earache, ringing (tinnitus), or a sense of fullness in the ear with nothing wrong in it.
And the four that people least expect to be a jaw problem
- Restricted openingDifficulty fully opening or closing your mouth.
- LockingThe jaw locking, either open or closed. Alarming, and a clear sign.
- Facial swellingAlong the side of the face.
- Neck and shoulder painAssociated with jaw tension, and treated for years as a posture problem.
The Treatment
What it is, and why it happens.
What are the TMJ and TMD?
The temporomandibular joints are the two small joints either side of your face, connecting jaw to skull. TMD is what happens when they become misaligned, inflamed or simply overworked.
In the practice’s words
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the small, delicate joints located on each side of your face, connecting your jawbone to your skull. They allow you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, making it possible to talk, chew, and yawn. When these joints become misaligned, inflamed, or overworked, it can lead to TMD — a painful condition affecting jaw function and comfort.
Our goal is to relieve discomfort, restore proper jaw function, and prevent long-term complications. Every patient receives a customized TMD treatment plan designed specifically to address their unique symptoms and lifestyle.
Six causes, and the treatment follows the cause rather than the symptom
- InjuryA blow to the face, or direct trauma to the jaw.
- GrindingChronic bruxism, usually during sleep. The most common cause, and the most treatable — see night guards.
- ArthritisOr other degenerative joint disease affecting the jaw.
- BiteMisaligned teeth or abnormal bite patterns, which put the joint under constant uneven load.
- StressAnxiety leading to jaw clenching, awake as well as asleep.
- PosturePoor posture affecting jaw alignment. The one nobody connects.
The Options
Most cases never need surgery.
The practice’s own five non-invasive therapies. These are what the great majority of patients are treated with.
01
A custom night guard
Prevents nighttime grinding, easing the pressure on the joint. Often the whole treatment. See night guards.
02
Oral splints and bite appliances
Worn day or night to stabilise the jaw and correct its positioning.
03
Physical therapy
Exercises and stretches to improve jaw mobility, flexibility and strength.
04
Stress management
Counselling or relaxation techniques, because unconscious clenching has a cause worth addressing.
05
Medication
Anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants, prescribed to manage the symptoms while the cause is treated.
Rarely surgeryExtreme cases only
Where non-surgical methods are not enough: corticosteroid injections, orthodontic treatment to correct the bite, or — in extreme cases only — arthroscopy or open joint surgery.
Your dentist
Dr. Dave Cho, DMD
Dr. Dave Cho’s calm, laid-back manner suits a jaw that is already sore, and Dr. William Sung brings years of experience across a wide range of TMJ and TMD cases. No two are treated the same way, because no two have the same cause.
- 8Symptoms to check against
- 6Causes to rule in or out
- 5Non-surgical therapies
Also on the teamDr. William Sung, DMDFellow of the Academy of General DentistryWhat treatment changes, in the practice’s own words
- Significant reduction or elimination of jaw, facial and head pain.
- Better chewing, speaking and breathing function.
- Protection against tooth wear and damage from grinding.
- Fewer migraines and tension headaches.
- Improved posture and reduced neck and shoulder tension.
- Better sleep quality, by minimising nighttime grinding.
- Prevention of long-term joint degeneration — the one that matters most and is noticed least.
The Path
What happens, step by step.
History
A comprehensive review of your dental and medical history. Much of the answer is usually in here.
Physical examination
Jaw movement and muscle tenderness, examined by hand. Where it clicks, where it catches, where it hurts.
Imaging
Digital x‑rays or 3D imaging, to assess the joint and the bone structure around it.
Bite analysis
How the teeth meet, and whether that is loading the joint unevenly.
Habits, discussed
Clenching, grinding, stress, posture. This conversation often changes the plan more than the imaging does.
Then a plan built for your cause.
A personalised TMD treatment plan follows the diagnosis, not a protocol. Most start with an appliance.
Book an appointmentOr call (281) 769-8878
The Alternatives
How it compares.
Treating the joint, against treating the headache.
TMD treatmentPainkillers alone
Addresses the cause: grinding, bite, stress.Masks the symptom while it continues.
The teeth stop wearing down.Grinding continues, and so does the damage.
Joint degeneration is prevented.The joint keeps taking the load.
Sleep quality improves.Night-time clenching is untouched.
Usually an appliance, not surgery.Indefinite, with no endpoint.
Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants have a real place here — they are one of the five therapies. The distinction is using them alongside treatment rather than instead of it.
Why a dentist, for a joint problem
Because the commonest causes are dental ones, and the commonest treatment is a dental appliance.
- GrindingDiagnosed from the wear pattern on your teeth, which only a dentist looks at.
- The biteBite analysis is a dental examination, and a misaligned bite is a dental cause.
- The applianceA night guard or splint is made from impressions of your own teeth.
- The damageCracked and flattened teeth from clenching are repaired here too — a crown, or a filling.
- Whole-patient focusThe practice addresses the emotional and lifestyle factors alongside the physical ones.
The Cost
What it costs, before it starts.
TMD is a course of treatment rather than a single procedure, so it is quoted as a plan once the diagnosis is made.
A planQuoted after diagnosis
The consultation and diagnosis come first, then a costed plan. Many patients need only an appliance.
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What moves the number
Which therapies your case calls for, and whether damage from grinding also needs repairing.
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Insurance and financing
Many plans cover an occlusal guard. See insurance and financing and the savings plan.
The Proof
What Katy patients say about being here.
Really quick and easy, i was in and out for a teeth cleaning and loved every second. i am i first time customer and i will be returning soon. Doctor Tiffany and Dr Cho were VERY helpful and nice, accommodating my needs and request!
The staff here is super friendly and informative. Just had my cleaning and exams done, and they were thorough without being rough. The dental filling went really well, didn’t hurt one bit, and they took extra care to ensure it looked great. Overall, a very clear and calm vibe in the office. Highly recommend checking them out for your family dentistry needs.
Reem Almekhlafi
Very friendly staff and were willing to help in every way! Felt more comfortable here than at any other dentist office in the past, highly recommend!
Gabriel Sanchez
Jen is the best so personable and relatable. Makes the process so smooth. Love this place!
Kristian Ball
Questions
Questions patients ask before they decide.
Will I need surgery?
Almost certainly not. Most cases of TMD are treated with non-invasive methods: a custom night guard, an oral splint or bite appliance, physical therapy, stress management, or medication. Corticosteroid injections, orthodontic treatment and joint surgery are reserved for cases where those are insufficient, and surgery only in extreme ones.
Why would a dentist treat my headaches?
Because the commonest cause of TMD is grinding, which is diagnosed from the wear pattern on your teeth, and the commonest treatment is an appliance made from impressions of them. Headaches around the temples are one of the eight recognised TMD symptoms.
My jaw clicks but does not hurt. Should I come in?
Worth mentioning at your next checkup. Clicking, popping or grating when opening or closing is one of the symptoms, and catching it before there is pain means preventing long-term joint degeneration rather than treating it.
Could my ear problem actually be my jaw?
It can be. Earache, ringing in the ears and a sense of ear fullness are all recognised TMD symptoms, and they mimic other conditions closely enough that professional diagnosis is essential.
What causes it?
Six things: jaw injury or facial trauma, chronic teeth grinding, arthritis or degenerative joint disease, misaligned teeth or an abnormal bite, stress and anxiety leading to clenching, and poor posture affecting jaw alignment. Identifying which is yours is what the diagnosis is for.
How is it diagnosed?
A comprehensive review of your dental and medical history, a physical examination of jaw movement and muscle tenderness, digital x‑rays or 3D imaging of the joint and bone, a bite alignment analysis, and a discussion of habits like clenching and grinding.
The Invitation
Ask about this one.
If you have been treated for migraines or an ear problem and nothing helped, bring that history. It is often the missing piece.
- Hours
- Mon to Wed 9am to 6pm
Thu 9am to 5pm
Fri to Sun Closed - Emergencies
- Call the practice. We keep same day slots for pain, breaks and knocked out teeth.
