Exceptional dentistry in a spa-like environment since 1985..
Technology
We invest in industry leading technology to ensure your comfort and the highest quality of diagnostics and care.
Patient Comfort
We have a modern office, comfortable seats, and gentle team members to ensure your comfort.
Exceptional Care
We’ve been a top dentist in Las Vegas for over 2 decades and have helped generations of families achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.
No Judgement Dentistry
We are kind, compassionate, and understanding. We focus on patient education and providing treatment plan options.
Jaw pain that disrupts your daily life deserves immediate attention and expert care. TMJ disorders affect the temporomandibular joint that attaches your jaw to your skull, causing symptoms that vary from mild discomfort to severe pain that impacts eating, speaking, and sleeping.
At Red Rock Dental in Las Vegas, Dr. Alan McCaffrey and Dr. Thomas Booker understand how TMJ disorders can affect every aspect of your life. With over 20 years of combined experience and more than 100 hours of continuing education annually, our team provides comprehensive TMJ treatment using conservative approaches that prioritize your comfort and long-term oral health.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders have a range of conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. The temporomandibular joint acts as a sliding hinge joining your jawbone to your skull, and problems with this complex joint system can create widespread discomfort.
Common symptoms include jaw pain or tenderness, difficulty chewing, aching facial pain, and locking of the joint that makes it hard to open or close your mouth. Many patients also experience clicking or popping sounds when opening their mouth, headaches, and neck pain. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, over 10 million Americans currently experience TMJ disorder symptoms.
What Causes TMJ Problems?
Several factors can contribute to TMJ disorders, often working in combination to create joint dysfunction. Teeth grinding or clenching, particularly during sleep, places undue stress on the joint and surrounding muscles. Arthritis can affect the TMJ just like other joints in your body, while jaw injuries from accidents or trauma may damage the joint directly.
Poor bite alignment, missing teeth, and certain autoimmune diseases can also contribute to TMJ development. Stress often plays a significant role, as many people unconsciously clench their jaw muscles during periods of tension or anxiety.
Conservative TMJ Treatment Options
Most TMJ disorders respond well to conservative treatment approaches that focus on reducing pain and restoring normal jaw function. At Red Rock Dental, we begin with the least invasive options and progress to more comprehensive treatments only when necessary.
Custom Oral Appliances
Night guards and bite splints represent one of the most effective first-line treatments for TMJ disorders. These custom-made appliances protect your teeth from grinding damage while repositioning your jaw into a more comfortable position during sleep.
Our team creates these appliances using accurate impressions of your teeth, ensuring a comfortable fit that won’t affect your sleep. Most patients see substantial improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks of consistent use.
Lifestyle Modifications and Self-Care
Simple changes to your daily habits provide substantial relief from TMJ symptoms. Avoiding hard or chewy foods reduces stress on the joint, while practicing relaxation techniques helps address the stress component of the disorder.
Heat and cold therapy provide quick pain relief during flare-ups. Gentle jaw exercises and stretches, when performed correctly, help maintain joint mobility and strengthen supporting muscles.
Advanced Treatment Approaches
When conservative treatments don’t provide adequate relief, additional options may be considered. Physical therapy specifically designed for TMJ disorders can help retrain jaw muscles and improve joint mobility. Some patients benefit from medications that address inflammation or muscle tension.
In select cases where structural problems contribute to TMJ symptoms, orthodontic treatment or restorative dental work may be recommended to improve bite alignment and relieve joint stress.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Addressing TMJ symptoms early prevents the condition from advancing to more severe stages that may require extensive intervention. Early treatment also helps prevent secondary problems like tooth wear from grinding, chronic headaches, and neck pain that can develop when TMJ disorders go untreated.
Our conservative approach means most patients can achieve significant symptom relief without invasive procedures, allowing them to return to comfortable daily activities more quickly.
What Are Some Treatment Options for TMJ?
If you want treatment for TMJ disorder, contact us at Red Rock Dental at (702) 243-8788 to schedule your appointment.
Medications
Medications like aspirin can reduce pain and swelling in your jaw, providing you with temporary relief. Often, anti-anxiety medicines can also provide relief from your jaw clenching.
Dental Work
Sometimes, crooked, broken, or missing teeth are the reason for TMJ pain. Our dentist, Dr. Alan McCaffrey may suggest specific dental work to alleviate your symptoms.
Invisalign
Patients who have misaligned teeth and suffer from TMJ pain may benefit from Invisalign treatment. However, this option is not suitable for patients who clench and grind their teeth due to TMJ. Invisalign can straighten teeth little by little with a series of transparent aligners for a more even bite.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances like nightguards help cover and protect teeth, thus preventing their further wear and tear. They can be worn before sleep or during stressful situations. Oral appliances work by taking pressure off the jaw, thus reducing the clenching and grinding of the teeth.
Surgery
If any of the above treatment options are not making a difference, we might recommend a specialist for TMJ surgery.
No Insurance? We’ve Got You Covered
While we accept many dental insurance plans, you can still see an emergency dentist even if you have no insurance.
At Red Rock Dental, we make urgent care accessible — You can pay out of pocket with cash or credit card.
Call Now For Emergencies
(702) 243-8788
What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?
The common symptoms of TMJ include the following:
- Pain and tenderness in the neck, face, jaw, and shoulders
- Difficulty in opening your mouth
- Facial tiredness
- Trouble chewing your food
- Abnormal swelling on one or both sides of your face
- Shoulder and neck pain
- Popping or clicking in the jaw
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Prolonged fatigue
- Teeth grinding
Schedule Your TMJ Treatment at Red Rock Dental
Living with TMJ pain doesn’t have to be your reality. Early intervention leads to better outcomes and prevents the condition from worsening. Our team at Red Rock Dental can evaluate your symptoms, determine the underlying cause, and create a personalized treatment plan that brings you relief. Dr. McCaffrey and Dr. Booker have helped countless Las Vegas patients overcome TMJ disorder and return to comfortable, pain-free living. Whether you need conservative management or advanced treatment, we’re here to support your journey to better oral health.
Contact our Summerlin office today to schedule your TMJ evaluation. Learn more about our team and approach to care on our about page, and discover why patients throughout Las Vegas trust Red Rock Dental for their specialized dental needs.
Meet The Team
We provide gentle and compassionate care in a friendly environment. We always focus on evidence based diagnosis, patient education, and working with you to build a treatment plan that aligns with your oral health goals.
Insurance & Pricing
1. Competitive Pricing
All of our services are priced competitively so that exceptional dentistry can be accessible to all.
2. Covered By Most Insurance Plans
Many of our services are fully or partially covered by popular insurance plans. We’re happy to help you with your claim.
3. No Insurance, No Problem
Many of our patients pay out of pocket with cash, credit card, debit etc. We also offer an in-house insurance plan.
We Pinky Promise
Our mission is simple – give our patients the best dental experience they’ve ever had.
You Decide
We promise to show you what we see with imaging, educate you on your options, and empower you to make the best decisions for yourself.
Honest, Evidence Based Care
We promise to always show you what we see with imaging and never push unnecessary treatments on you.
On Time Visits
We promise to respect your time and do everything we can to see you within a few minutes of your appointment.
Pricing Transparency
We promise to be transparent about pricing and insurance coverage.
Best in Class
We promise to build a world class dental team. Many of our team members have been with us for over a decade!
Friendly & Professional
Our team promises to always be respectful, polite, and professional.
Pain Free
We promise to do everything we can to minimize pain and make you feel comfortable.
Never Ending Improvement
We promise to constantly invest time and money into technology and continuing education to make sure our patients get the best care possible.
Reviews
Happy Patients
Thank you to all of our patients who have taken the time to write to us a review.
A Dental Experience Unlike Anything You've Ever Experienced
We’re Insanely Gentle
We do everything we can to make sure your visit is as comfortable as possible. We want you to love coming to the dentist in Las Vegas.
Accepting New Patients
We warmly welcome new patients to our office and do our best to accommodate short notice appointments.
Insurance Accepted
Most of our procedures are covered by insurance. Our office will help you submit your insurance claim. Give us a call to learn more.
Award Winning Care
We have over 1000 5 star reviews and have been helping Las Vegasites achieve a beautiful, healthy smile for over 30 years.
Industry Leading Technology
We invest in the latest and greatest technology for improved comfort and diagnostics.
Emergency Visits
We accept dental emergencies and make every effort to schedule you in right away.
About Us
Discover Who We Are
Meet Our Dentist
Highly Skilled & Compassionate
About Our Practice
Accepting New Patients
Book An Appointment
Located in Las Vegas
What to Expect During Your Emergency Dental Visit
When you arrive at our emergency dental clinic in Las Vegas, you can expect:
Immediate Attention
We prioritize emergency cases to minimize your wait time.
Comprehensive Exam
Our dentists will conduct a thorough examination, including digital X-rays if necessary, to diagnose the issue accurately.
Personalized Treatment Plan
We will explain your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment options to address your dental emergency.
Immediate Relief
Our primary goal is to alleviate your pain and address the immediate concern.
Follow-up Care
We will schedule any necessary follow-up appointments to ensure your complete recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common symptoms of TMJ disorders?
Common symptoms include jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, and limited jaw movement.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
The duration of treatment varies depending on the severity of your condition and your specific treatment plan. Regular follow-ups are essential to monitor progress.