Grinding your teeth at night? Experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or clicking? Custom night guards and TMJ therapy can relieve your symptoms and protect your teeth from further damage — starting with your first visit.
TMJ disorders (TMD) affect the temporomandibular joint — the hinge joint connecting your jawbone to your skull, located just in front of each ear. When this joint is stressed, inflamed, or misaligned, it can cause pain, stiffness, clicking, popping, and limited jaw movement. TMD affects millions of Canadians and can significantly impact quality of life.
Bruxism is the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, most commonly during sleep (sleep bruxism). Many people don't even know they do it. Bruxism is one of the leading causes of TMJ problems, tooth wear, cracked teeth, and chronic morning headaches. Stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and certain medications can trigger or worsen it.
The good news: both conditions are highly treatable. A custom night guard is often the first and most effective line of defence, and additional therapies can provide significant relief.
Jaw pain or stiffness — especially upon waking, or pain that radiates to the face and neck.
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your jaw.
Morning headaches — frequent headaches upon waking that feel like tension across the temples.
Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth — visible signs that grinding is wearing down your tooth surfaces.
Unexplained tooth sensitivity — sensitivity without visible decay, caused by enamel being ground away.
Jaw locking or limited movement — difficulty fully opening your mouth or the jaw getting stuck.
We examine your jaw joint, bite alignment, and tooth wear patterns. X-rays may be taken to evaluate the joint structure. We'll identify the root cause of your symptoms before recommending treatment.
We take precise impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab where a custom-fitted acrylic guard is made. Unlike generic store-bought guards, a custom night guard fits precisely, protects effectively, and is comfortable to wear nightly.
If needed, we may perform minor reshaping of tooth surfaces to balance your bite, reducing stress on the TMJ. We also provide jaw exercises, stretching techniques, and lifestyle modifications (stress management, posture correction) that can significantly reduce symptoms.
"I had an amazing experience at the Port Dental with Doctor Balbir Sandhu in the procedure of my wisdom tooth extraction. I was very nervous and worried before the surgery but the doctor made me feel comfortable, did all the process very smoothly and with no pain."
"I recently visited Port Dental and was blown away by the exceptional care and professionalism of the entire team! Dr. Sandhu is an outstanding dentist who takes the time to explain everything and puts you at ease. Highly recommend for your dental care."
"I had the best experience in my cleaning — Robin did it so well and I didn't feel any discomfort or pain. You can tell they aren't trying to recommend things for money grabs — they give professional advice and prioritize what is best for clients needs!"
Book an assessment for custom night guards or TMJ treatment at The Port Dental Clinic. Protect your teeth and find lasting relief from jaw pain.
