Tmj – TMJ BridgeTown Dental

TMJ, Jaw Pain & Facial Pain Treatment

TMJ Pain Is Not Normal — and It Usually Has a Reason

Advanced TMJ evaluation for jaw pain, headaches, clenching, grinding, facial tension, bite instability, airway stress, and sleep-related jaw strain.

Schedule Your Complimentary TMJ Consultation

Subtle jaw tension, temple pressure, neck tightness, hand at jaw/temple, or thoughtful doctor consultation imagery. Avoid open-mouth dentistry photography.

Patient Experiences

Patients Often Tell Us...

Bridgetown Dental

4.8

Based on 448 reviews

review us on

Keith Allen

2 months ago

Personalized service from caring people!

O O

9 months ago

After a very long and overdue visit to the dentist, I could not have asked for a more supportive team. I was greeted kindly from the moment I opened the door from Will. Dania helped to take my X Rays with patience, genuine care, and attentiveness. And when Dr. Kaady came in, he offered a plan that gave me control and agency over my oral health future, and also within my budget. He took the time to educate me on unfamiliar terminology and I didn’t feel rushed in how he answered my questions. He also spoke in way that made me not feel ashamed of the current condition of my teeth. It seems like this entire team takes just as much pride in their personal relation skills as they do in their dentistry. Thank you!

Mary Miller

11 months ago

I'm 72 and this is the best dental care I've ever had. Kind, gental, explains and answers all questions. If there were a higher rating I would give it.

Donna Sikorski

1 year ago

My husband had a chipped front tooth and Dr Kaady was able to put a temporary crown on the same day we called. He and his employees were exceptionally friendly and professional. I would recommend Bridgetown dental to everyone.

Cassandra Ilsley

1 year ago

Mikayla at the front desk is a rockstar! I was a new patient, booked a next day appointment for a broken tooth and pain. She insured that my insurance would be accepted and that even though I was not established, that Dr. Kaady would be able to see me to assist with my pain.

Dr. Kaady was very quick and professional in his exam. Addressed my pain and explained exactly what was happening and went over his plan to help me in detail. He listened when I explained cost concerns and worked with me to come up with a plan that would work with my budget.

The clinic is cute and seemed to run efficiently. Overall, very happy with my experience!

Does this sound familiar?

TMJ symptoms often feel disconnected until someone looks at the bigger picture.

These signs can be useful clues that jaw strain, clenching, grinding, airway stress, or bite instability may be contributing.

What Happens Next

1

Comprehensive TMJ Consultation

2

Bite, Muscle & Airway Evaluation

3

Personalized Treatment Plan

Why Bridgetown For TMJ

Jaw pain deserves more than a generic night guard.

TMJ symptoms can involve the joints, muscles, bite, airway, sleep, posture, stress load, clenching, and worn teeth. We look for the pattern behind the pain so treatment is based on why your jaw system is overloaded, not just where it hurts that day.

Dr. Kaady has pursued advanced education in TMJ disorders, airway-focused dentistry, sleep-disordered breathing, and orofacial pain, including advanced continuing education with internationally recognized educator Dr. Steven Olmos. This broader perspective helps Bridgetown Dental evaluate how jaw function, muscle activity, bite forces, breathing patterns, sleep quality, and oral health may all contribute to recurring symptoms.

What Leading TMJ & Orofacial Pain Experts Want Patients To Know

Jaw pain, headaches, and clenching are often connected.

Resources from UCLA Orofacial Pain, Mayo Clinic, and NIDCR help explain how jaw joints, muscles, bite forces, grinding, and sleep-related stress can contribute to recurring symptoms.

UCLA Orofacial Pain

Academic perspective on TMJ disorders, facial pain and orofacial pain diagnosis.

Mayo Clinic

TMJ disorders, symptoms, causes and conservative treatment options.

NIDCR

Patient education on temporomandibular disorders and jaw pain.

Free Educational Guide

TMJ vs Headaches: What Most Patients Miss

A patient-friendly guide for recurring headaches, jaw tension, clenching, grinding, facial soreness, worn teeth, or neck tightness.

Helpful Questions Patients Commonly Ask

What Patients Often Want to Know

What causes TMJ symptoms?

TMJ symptoms may involve muscles, joints, bite instability, airway dysfunction, clenching, inflammation, poor sleep, neck tension, or multiple factors together.

Can TMJ cause headaches?

In some patients, jaw muscles, bite imbalance, clenching, airway-related grinding, and neck tension may contribute to recurring headaches or temple pressure.

Is clenching always stress-related?

Not necessarily. Sleep disruption, airway restriction, bite instability, and muscle compensation patterns may also contribute.

Is a night guard enough?

Sometimes a night guard protects the teeth, but it may not explain why clenching, headaches, jaw fatigue, or muscle pain are happening in the first place.

Can grinding and clenching be related to sleep or airway problems?

In some patients, yes. Research suggests that sleep-disordered breathing, airway resistance, and disrupted sleep may contribute to clenching, grinding, muscle tension, headaches, and jaw discomfort. That is one reason Bridgetown Dental evaluates airway and sleep factors when appropriate rather than focusing only on the jaw joint itself.

Do most patients improve without surgery?

Yes. Most TMJ problems are approached conservatively first. Depending on the underlying cause, treatment may include bite evaluation, airway assessment, orthotics, muscle therapy, habit modification, restorative planning, supportive therapies, and other non-surgical approaches. The goal is to identify what is placing stress on the jaw system and address those factors whenever possible before considering more invasive options.

Will insurance help cover TMJ treatment?

Coverage varies depending on your dental and medical benefits. During your consultation, our team can help explain options and what benefits may be available.

Ready for clarity?

Start with a conversation.

Bridgetown Dental is located at 8907 North Lombard St., Portland, OR 97203. Call 503-286-5654 or request a consultation.