132 Alexander Rd, Stephenville TXMon to Wed, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.(254) 965-2777
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Jaw pain. Clicking joints. Headaches that start at the temples. The fix is rarely a stronger painkiller, it is often a different look at how you sleep and how you bite.

Dental examination room at Dental Excellence in Stephenville, TX where TMJ evaluations are performed

TMJ Treatment in Stephenville, TX

Airway-aware evaluation, custom occlusal splints, and the oral-systemic perspective that connects your jaw pain to how you breathe at night. Dr. Stephen LaDuque, Stephenville.

Call (254) 965-2777

What is TMJ treatment at Dental Excellence in Stephenville, TX?

TMJ treatment addresses pain, clicking, and limited movement in the jaw joints, often driven by nighttime clenching that traces back to airway compromise. At Dental Excellence in Stephenville, TX, airway-aware evaluation, custom occlusal splints, and bite therapy start conservative and escalate only if needed, connecting your jaw pain to how you breathe at night.

Reviewed by Dr. Stephen LaDuque, DDS, Dental Excellence, Stephenville, TX.

A different way to look at jaw pain

AAOSH member
Joint pain often starts in the airway
Digital scanning
Custom splints, no goopy impressions
CBCT imaging
When the joint warrants 3D detail
Coordinated care
PT and sleep-MD referrals when indicated

Why TMJ patients choose Dental Excellence

We look upstream

Most night guards treat the symptom. We evaluate why you grind in the first place, often a clue about your airway.

Custom-fit splints

Medical-grade thermoplastic splints engineered to your specific bite. Worlds better than the drugstore boil-and-bite mouthguard.

Conservative first

We start with the simplest intervention that fits your case and escalate only if symptoms persist. No reflex push toward expensive surgical referrals.

Imaging when warranted

Cone-beam CT in our Stephenville office gives 3D joint detail when conservative treatment isn't resolving the case. Most TMJ patients don't need it; for those who do, it changes the plan.

What TMJ treatment looks like in practice

The right path depends on what is driving the pain. We tell you on day one which combination fits your case.

Custom Occlusal Splint

A precision-fit night guard that protects the teeth, redirects clenching forces, and lets the joint rest. Most patients wake more comfortable within two weeks.

Oral Appliance for OSA

When sleep-disordered breathing is the underlying driver, an oral appliance treats the breathing issue and the TMJ symptoms together, often more effectively than a splint alone.

Bite Therapy & Referrals

When the bite itself is the issue, we adjust selectively or build a comprehensive plan with orthodontics. PT and sleep-MD referrals coordinated when needed.

What our patients say

4.8 stars · 173+ Google reviews

★★★★★

Verified reviews on Google Business Profile · 173+ patients have left feedback

★★★★★

“I've lived all across the US and Dr. LaDuque and his staff are so thorough and caring, not just about your teeth but your overall health. I really feel like I've found my dentist for life here!”

Gabi S. · Google review

★★★★★

“I'm so thankful for Dr. LaDuque and his wonderful staff! They always take such good care of me and my boys!”

Verified Google review · April 2025

★★★★★

“Very informative. Dr. Stephen was very helpful in explaining everything and laying out a plan that helps both my health and my finances regarding paying for my visits. Staff was very nice and just as helpful.”

Verified Google review · April 2025

★★★★★

“Absolutely love all of the staff here! Everyone is so kind and they seem to genuinely care about their patients. Best dentist around!”

Verified Google review · March 2025

Read All 173+ Google Reviews

Common TMJ questions

What is TMJ?
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joints, the two hinge joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. "TMJ disorder" or "TMD" is the clinical name for pain, clicking, popping, or limited movement of those joints. It affects roughly 10% of adults at some point.
What causes TMJ pain?
The most common drivers are nighttime clenching and grinding (often a sign of airway compromise during sleep), bite imbalance, jaw injury, and stress-related muscle tension. Many TMJ cases at Dental Excellence trace back to airway issues we identify during the airway-aware exam.
How do you treat TMJ?
Treatment depends on the cause. Options include a custom occlusal splint (night guard) to protect the teeth and reposition the jaw, bite adjustment, oral appliance therapy when sleep-disordered breathing is the underlying issue, physical therapy referral, and stress-reduction work. We start conservative and escalate only if needed.
What does a custom night guard cost?
A custom occlusal splint typically runs $400 to $800 in central Texas, depending on type. We use intraoral digital scanning so there are no goopy impressions, and most insurance plans cover at least part of the cost when a TMJ diagnosis is documented.
Is a drugstore mouthguard enough?
For most TMJ cases, no. Off-the-shelf "boil-and-bite" guards can actually make grinding worse by encouraging the jaw to chew on the soft material. Custom-fit splints are made from medical-grade thermoplastic, designed to your specific bite, and engineered to redirect force away from the joint.
How does airway dentistry connect to TMJ?
When the airway narrows during sleep, the body subconsciously clenches the jaw to push the lower jaw forward and reopen the airway. Months and years of nighttime clenching wear down the joints and the teeth. Treating the underlying airway issue, often with an oral appliance, frequently relieves TMJ symptoms in ways a night guard alone cannot.
When should I see someone for jaw pain?
If pain wakes you, limits your jaw opening (you can't fit three fingers vertically between your front teeth), causes recurring headaches, or comes with locking or clicking, schedule a visit. Earlier intervention is simpler and less expensive.

Stop treating the symptom. Find the cause.

A consultation in our Stephenville office tells us, and shows you, what's driving your jaw pain. Conservative options first, no obligation.

4.8173+ Google reviews