TMJ Therapy For Jaw Pain

Chronic headaches, facial pain, and bite dysfunction can severely impact your daily routine and overall well-being. Dr. Amie Rockow-Nelson, an active member of the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, provides advanced TMJ treatment and neuromuscular dentistry in Ames to help patients identify the underlying causes of chronic discomfort. We carefully evaluate your unique anatomy and create a personalized treatment plan focused on restoring comfort, function, and long-term oral health.

Comprehensive Neuromuscular Evaluation

We provide advanced TMJ treatment and neuromuscular dentistry for patients in Ames and the surrounding rural communities. Using modern diagnostic technology, we evaluate jaw function, muscle activity, and bite alignment to develop personalized treatment plans designed around your unique needs.

  • Comprehensive evaluations that help guide personalized TMJ treatment recommendations.
  • Neuromuscular dentistry technology that helps us understand how your jaw, muscles, and bite work together.
  • Comfort-focused therapies designed to relieve chronic jaw tension and muscle fatigue.
  • Custom oral appliances that support comfortable jaw function and protect your smile.
  • Complimentary consultations to learn more about TMJ therapy and your treatment options.
Types of Treatments

Our TMJ Diagnosis And Therapy Options

At Ames Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. Rather than simply treating your symptoms, we evaluate how your jaw joints, muscles, and bite work together to identify the underlying cause of your discomfort. From advanced diagnostics to custom oral appliances and long-term bite rehabilitation, every treatment plan is personalized to help you achieve lasting relief.

K-7 System Evaluation

We use the K-7 System to evaluate how your jaw moves and functions in real time. By measuring jaw movement with exceptional precision, we can identify a more balanced resting position for your jaw and facial muscles, helping guide your TMJ treatment plan.

T-Scan Bite Analysis

T-Scan technology allows us to digitally measure bite force and tooth contact timing with remarkable accuracy. These insights help us identify uneven bite pressure that may contribute to jaw pain, muscle fatigue, headaches, and TMJ dysfunction.

EMG Muscle Evaluation

Electromyography (EMG) measures the activity of your jaw and facial muscles while they are at rest and during function. This information helps us identify areas of excessive muscle tension and better understand how your muscles may be contributing to chronic TMJ symptoms.

TENS Therapy

Before developing your treatment plan, we may recommend TENS therapy to gently relax overworked jaw muscles. This comfortable, non-invasive treatment helps reduce muscle tension while allowing us to evaluate your jaw in a more natural, relaxed position.

Custom TMJ Orthotics

Many patients benefit from a custom-made TMJ orthotic designed to reduce stress on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Unlike over-the-counter night guards, these appliances are precisely customized to your bite and carefully adjusted throughout treatment to improve comfort, stability, and function. Using digital impressions and SprintRay 3D printing technology, we can fabricate highly accurate appliances that support your personalized treatment plan.

Long-Term Bite Rehabilitation

For some patients, relieving TMJ pain is only the beginning. Once your jaw has stabilized, we may recommend additional treatment, such as selective bite adjustments, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, or cosmetic dentistry, to help maintain a healthy bite and reduce the likelihood of future TMJ problems.

A Relaxing Path To Pain Relief

We understand that living with chronic TMJ symptoms can affect every aspect of your daily life. At our Ames dental office, we provide a non-judgmental, comfortable environment where your well-being comes first. To help make your experience as relaxing as possible, we offer sedation dentistry, warm blankets, and other comfort-focused amenities while we evaluate your bite and jaw function.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ Treatment FAQs

TMJ Treatment FAQs

TMJ disorder (TMD) refers to problems affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. In Ames, TMJ treatment focuses on relieving symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping sounds, and difficulty chewing by addressing the underlying bite and muscle imbalance.
Common TMJ symptoms include jaw pain or tenderness, frequent headaches, facial muscle soreness, clicking or popping in the jaw, ear pain, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth comfortably. Symptoms can vary in severity from mild discomfort to chronic pain.
TMJ treatment may include custom oral appliances, bite evaluation, muscle relaxation therapy, and neuromuscular dentistry techniques. The goal is to reduce strain on the jaw joint, improve bite alignment, and relieve muscle tension for long-term comfort.
Some mild TMJ symptoms may improve temporarily, but many cases persist or worsen without treatment. Professional evaluation is recommended to identify the cause and create a treatment plan that helps prevent ongoing pain or joint damage.

Schedule Your TMJ Consultation Today

We are excited to welcome you into our dental family and help you achieve a comfortable, highly functional smile. Discover how personalized TMJ treatment in Ames and focused neuromuscular care can improve your comfort, function, and quality of life.

REAL PATIENT EXPERIENCES

Curious What Our
Patients Have to Say?

Curious What Our
Patients Have to Say?

Pamela M.

I love the personal touch! It is more like a ‘catching up with life’! The relaxing hot wax treatment on the hands is a terrific touch! The service is very professional and thorough, as well. This office is wonderful!
Pamela M.
Ames, Iowa

Celeste M.

It was so cool’ I’ve never been to a dentist where it seemed like a spa day! Dr. Amie and her staff are exceptional! Highly recommend!!
Celeste M.
Ames, Iowa

Sierra J.

I have been going to Ames Center For Cosmetic & Family Dentistry for many years. Since the first visit, the quality of care and compassion is truly evident. Dr. Amie and her team are seriously the best! The reception staff are always so friendly and very helpful. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful team be apart of my care. In addition to routine cleanings, Dr. Amie was able to help me when one of my bonded retainers started becoming loose. They always go above and beyond for their patients. I would highly recommend this place for anyone needing dental care, you will be in the best hands. Thank you for all you do!
Sierra J.
Ames, Iowa

Everts F.

Great staff, friendly, knowledgeable.
Efficient. Today Anna helped me get my Invisalign checkup at same time as my cleaning so I could skip a month off check-ins, especially helpful since I planned to be out of state. I didn’t bring it up though. She noticed it when looking to book my next appt and suggested it to Amie. Amie was able to work that into her day and I still had time for a paraffin wax for my hands. Very friendly staff who work together as a team and make sure you know your plan and what to expect at future appts. Thank you all for the great care!!
Everts F.
Ames, Iowa

Robin S.

I always enjoy going into the office. EVERYONE is so nice. I learned about Dr. Amie because I needed an appliance made for my sleep apnea; which is far better than putting one of those apparatuses around my head and having air forced down my nose. The appliance is by far, a better choice. Dr. Amie knows her stuff. She has been great through the whole process and it is working well.
Robin S.
Ames, Iowa

Ronald S.

I can truthfully say that I enjoy going to the dentist at Ames Center For Cosmetic and Family Dentistry! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, as well as professional, knowledgeable, and highly competent! They explain everything and take the time to answer all your questions! Seeing Dr. Amie and her staff is a great experience!
Ronald S.
Ames, Iowa

Explore Our Other Dental Services

We provide a comprehensive guide to the TMJ treatment and neuromuscular dentistry services available at our Ames dental office. Our goal is to help you understand your options and find the right path toward lasting comfort, improved function, and better oral health.

Sleep Apnea
Treatment

Improve your nightly rest and reduce symptoms commonly linked to TMJ disorders with custom oral appliances designed for sleep-disordered breathing and airway support.

Full Mouth
Reconstruction

Restore proper bite alignment, reduce excess jaw strain, and improve long-term comfort with customized full mouth reconstruction and TMJ-focused restorative care.

Sedation
Dentistry

Relax comfortably during your TMJ treatment visits with calming sedation options designed to ease dental anxiety, jaw tension, and treatment-related stress.