Professional TMJ Treatment in Shelby Township
TMJ Headache Relief for Shelby Township, Macomb, & Clinton Township, MI
Living with jaw pain, chronic headaches, or a sore neck is exhausting, and many people spend years chasing relief without ever identifying the real source. For a significant number of patients, that source is a temoporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
At McKinley-Holloway Legacy Dentistry, Dr. Brittany McKinley-Holloway offers targeted TMJ treatment in Shelby Township, MI, using advanced therapies including TENS unit therapy and BEMER therapy to relieve pain at the source.
If you are tired of masking symptoms and ready for real relief, we are here to help. Call our office or request an appointment online today.
Why Choose McKinley-Holloway Legacy Dentistry for TMJ Treatment?
Advanced Therapies
We go beyond symptom management with TENS unit and BEMER therapy, two advanced treatment technologies that address the underlying cause of your TMJ disorder.
Experienced TMJ Dentist
For years, Dr. McKinley-Holloway has helped patients across Shelby Township, Macomb, and Clinton Township find TMJ headache relief that lasts.
Same-Day Appointments
Our Advanced TMJ Therapies
One of the things that sets our practice apart is our investment in technology that produces better results while providing more comfortable treatments for our patients. For our TMJ patients, we offer two proven treatment tools.
TENS Unit Therapy
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation. Our TENS unit uses gentle electronic muscle therapy to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and restore normal muscle tone in and around the jaw. Beyond pain relief, the TENS unit also helps us accurately diagnose your bite, giving us a clearer picture of what TMJ treatment plan will work best for your specific case.
BEMER Therapy
BEMER therapy, short for Bio Electro-Magnetic Energy Regulation, works by improving circulation to the jaw and surrounding tissues. Better blood flow means faster healing, reduced inflammation, and improved joint mobility. Patients who receive BEMER therapy often report significant tension relief, improved jaw mobility, better sleep quality, reduced teeth grinding, and a noticeable reduction in pain, muscle spasms, and stress.
What Is a TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. It is one of the most active joints in your body, involved in everything from chewing and talking to yawning. When something disrupts the function of that joint, whether it is disc displacement, arthritis, or chronic muscle tension, it is classified as a TMJ disorder, or TMD.
Common causes of TMJ disorders include:
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Movement or displacement of the disc between the ball and socket of the joint
- Arthritis in the jaw
- Stress, which causes persistent tightening of the jaw and facial muscles
TMD is more common than most people realize, and in many cases, patients have been dealing with symptoms for years without connecting them to their jaw. If any of these symptoms familiar, it may be time to speak with a TMJ dentist.
Common TMJ Disorder Symptoms
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially when chewing or speaking
- Pain in the face, neck, shoulders, or around the ears
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- A jaw that locks open or closed
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when moving your jaw
- A sudden change in how your bite feels
- Swelling along the sides of your face
- Chronic headaches or migraines
TMJ Headache Relief
Chronic headaches are one of the most commonly overlooked symptoms of TMJ disorders. Because the jaw muscles are connected to the head, neck, and shoulders, the constant tension created by TMD radiates outward, producing headaches or migraines that many patients never connect to their jaw. If you have been managing recurring headaches without a clear diagnosis, TMJ treatment may be the relief you have been looking for.
Dr. McKinley-Holloway evaluates each patient’s bite, muscle tension, and joint health to determine whether TMD is contributing to your headache pattern. Treatment with our TENS unit or BEMER therapy can ease that tension, often reducing or eliminating headaches that have been a problem for years.
What is TMJ Pain Telling You?
Because the TMJ sits at the center of so much daily function, untreated TMJ disorders rarely stay contained to the jaw. Pain tends to spread, affecting the head, neck, upper back, and shoulders over time. Many patients also find that their TMD is tied to bruxism, the habit of grinding or clenching teeth, which compounds the joint damage and can lead to worn enamel, cracked teeth, and the need for [restorative treatment]. Addressing TMJ disorders early protects both your comfort and the long-term health of your smile.
If you suspect your jaw pain may also be affecting your teeth, we can help. In addition to TMJ treatments, our skilled Shelby Township team performs many oral surgeries, restorative procedures, gum disease treatment, and much more. We aim to be a one-stop-shop for all of your dental needs.
Get Effective, Lasting TMJ Pain Relief in Shelby Township
Whether you are dealing with jaw pain, chronic headaches, or facial tension, McKinley-Holloway Legacy Dentistry is ready to help. Dr. McKinley-Holloway serves patients in Shelby Township, Macomb, and Clinton Township, MI with a personalized, technology-driven approach to TMJ treatment that goes beyond a one-size-fits-all solution.
Call us today at (586) 685-0880 or schedule your TMJ consultation online. We look forward to seeing you soon.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint itself, while TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, the condition that results when something goes wrong with that joint or the muscles around it. Most people use the two terms interchangeably, and either way, Dr. McKinley-Holloway can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the right course of treatment.
Common signs include jaw pain or soreness, clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, difficulty chewing, a locked jaw, and chronic headaches or migraines. If you have been experiencing any of these, a consultation with a TMJ dentist is a good next step.
Yes, and this is one of the most frequently missed connections in dentistry. The muscles that control the jaw are closely tied to the head, neck, and shoulders, and chronic tension in those muscles can produce recurring headaches or migraines. Many patients find significant headache relief once their TMJ disorder is properly treated.
The TENS unit uses gentle electrical stimulation to relax the jaw muscles, relieve pain, and help us assess your natural bite position. It is a non-invasive, comfortable treatment that also helps guide our broader TMJ treatment plan.
BEMER therapy uses Bio Electro-Magnetic Energy Regulation to improve blood flow to the jaw and surrounding tissues. Improved circulation reduces inflammation, relieves muscle tension, and promotes healing. Many TMJ patients report reduced pain, better mobility, and improved sleep after BEMER treatment.
That depends on the severity of your disorder and the treatment approach we use. Some patients notice relief after just a few sessions with our TENS unit or BEMER therapy, while others may need a longer treatment plan. Dr. McKinley-Holloway will give you a clear timeline during your initial consultation.
Yes. Bruxism, the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, is one of the most common contributors to TMJ disorders. It puts chronic pressure on the joint and surrounding muscles, which leads to pain, inflammation, and disc problems over time. Treating the TMJ disorder often involves addressing the bruxism as well.