Affinity Dental Studio - Richmond Hill

TMJ Therapy in Richmond Hill

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint and TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. TMJ and TMD are both often used to describe the conditions affecting the muscles, nerves and joints of the jaw.
Call 289-809-2772

Jaw pain is not normal.

If jaw pain is part of your everyday life, it may seem normal to you. The truth is, jaw pain is far from normal and may be a symptom of a condition called TMD from one or both of your TMJs. Those are the joints of your lower jaw, called TemporoMandibular Joints. When disease or misalignment occurs, the TMJ and surrounding area becomes inflamed — which is what causes pain and other symptoms.

    What are the signs of TMJ disorder (TMD)?
  • Headaches
  • Earaches, tenderness around the ear
  • Face or jaw pain and tenderness
  • Muscle pain in your neck, shoulders and upper back
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding jaw
  • Difficulty chewing, yawning or opening your mouth

How Do We Diagnose And Treat TMJ Disorder?

Diagnosis

Treatment of TMD begins with a comprehensive clinical examination, to check your face, jaw, bite, joints, and teeth. During your appointment, we will check for pain and tenderness and listen for clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth, swallow, or chew. If the disorder is diagnosed, a bite splint or night guard is often recommended as the initial treatment.

Treatment & Relief

Our treatment application involves bite splints, which are custom-created plastic mouthpieces, designed to fit over your upper and/or lower teeth. These type of devices prevent the grinding and clenching that often causes or worsens TMD. The splint also realigns the jaw, removing stress on the surrounding area.

Orthodontics

If a misaligned bite or missing teeth are the cause of your symptoms, we may recommend orthodontics or restorative dental work. If your bite is placing undue pressure on the TMJ’s, we may suggest reshaping individual teeth to redistribute the bite force evenly.

Injections

Alternatively we also offer neuromodulator injections. These injections calm hyperactive muscles that contribute to jaw tension and pain.  As a result, the jaw muscles relax, which can decrease discomfort, lessen involuntary jaw movements, and improve the range of motion. This treatment approach is minimally invasive and can be an alternative for patients seeking relief from TMJ symptoms without more invasive surgical procedures. It is also effective in just one appointment.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. If this joint becomes misaligned or inflamed we refer to that as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMD for short.
Signs or symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth, and a clicking, popping, crunching or grinding noise when you chew, yawn or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches.
TMD is caused by a combination of factors like jaw injuries and joint disease, such as arthritis. It’s believed that bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding) and head or neck muscle tension may make TMD symptoms worse. Stress is also a possible factor. However, it is not clear if stress causes TMD or is a result. Other things that may lead to TMDs are partial or full dentures that are not the right fit and certain habits such as fingernail biting and pen or pencil biting. As you can see, there are an array of different causes which makes TMD hard to diagnose. The best way to understand your jaw pain symptoms are to book an appointment.
There are many possible causes of headaches. No doctor will be able to determine the cause of your headache without a physical examination.
Most often, TMJ pain can be treated effectively with non-invasive treatments and therapies. In very rare circumstances, TMD may require surgery. Your health and happiness are both important to us. We will always present you with all of your options, work through the safest and easiest options first, and give you the final decision on what happens next.

What Our Patients Have To Say

A World Class Dental Studio

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Lori Peterkin
1 month ago
Dr. Alina is outstanding! She has a confident yet relaxed way about her that transfers into her patients feeling at ease. All of the staff are caring, friendly and professional. The office is modern , clean and inviting. This is definitely a 5-star team❤️
More
moon moon
1 month ago
Friendly dental staff. Clean operation. And the dental hygienist is the most gentle practitioner I've had by far. Dr. Alina provided an insightful consult as a new patient and it shows she has a bounty of knowledge as an expert in her field. Since they are a relatively newer clinic, availability is better and wait times are lower as well. I felt confident to be in her care and would recommend anyone to this clinic especially since their rates are more competitive than the ones in Toronto.
More
Josh Stilwell
1 month ago
Finding Affinity Dental Studio online was like winning the lottery! This place and all of the team are outstanding. I cannot recommend them enough. Genuine care, full transparency and discussion before any service is carried out, they have the latest equipment and technology, extremely professional and friendly service by all team, the list can go on and on. There should be a 10 star option!
More
Bilal Moledina
4 months ago
Hello Everyone, After living in our town for over 20 years, relocating has certainly been a challenge, particularly when it came to finding a new dental practice that met our expectations. Our previous dentist's office was excellent, but after it was sold, we began our search for a new provider. After visiting two different offices, we finally discovered Affinity Dental Studio, and we are thrilled with our decision. Located conveniently on Bathurst, the office is not only easy to find but also beautifully designed, with state-of-the-art facilities that exude sophistication. From the moment you walk in, Chantel greets you with a warm smile, making you feel instantly comfortable and welcomed. For an exceptional cleaning, Andrea is the person to see. Her attention to detail and thoroughness ensures the best possible experience, all while maintaining a friendly and pleasant demeanor. Dr. Alina, the talented dentist, truly stands out. She is incredibly kind, approachable, and brings a sense of humor that makes every visit feel less like a dental appointment and more like a visit with family. Even during procedures, she has a remarkable ability to ensure you feel completely at ease, and you hardly feel any discomfort. If you're looking for the best dental care, we highly recommend Affinity Dental Studio. We are confident that you will not be disappointed :)
More
Sergiy Kis
10 months ago
Here's a review you could use: --- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a fantastic experience at this dental office. Dr. Allina was extremely friendly and patient with my 4-year-old son. She explained every detail and every option to us and even took the time to play with him and check his paw patrol doggy for cavities, which he loved. After his procedure, he got to open the treasure box and pick a toy, which was a great touch. The dental offices are newly built and extremely clean. The staff was super friendly as well. Overall, I’d give this place 10 stars if I could! Highly recommend.
More
Lori Peterkin
1 month ago
Dr. Alina is outstanding! She has a confident yet relaxed way about her that transfers into her patients feeling at ease. All of the staff are caring, friendly and professional. The office is modern , clean and inviting. This is definitely a 5-star team❤️
More
moon moon
1 month ago
Friendly dental staff. Clean operation. And the dental hygienist is the most gentle practitioner I've had by far. Dr. Alina provided an insightful consult as a new patient and it shows she has a bounty of knowledge as an expert in her field. Since they are a relatively newer clinic, availability is better and wait times are lower as well. I felt confident to be in her care and would recommend anyone to this clinic especially since their rates are more competitive than the ones in Toronto.
More
Josh Stilwell
1 month ago
Finding Affinity Dental Studio online was like winning the lottery! This place and all of the team are outstanding. I cannot recommend them enough. Genuine care, full transparency and discussion before any service is carried out, they have the latest equipment and technology, extremely professional and friendly service by all team, the list can go on and on. There should be a 10 star option!
More
Bilal Moledina
4 months ago
Hello Everyone, After living in our town for over 20 years, relocating has certainly been a challenge, particularly when it came to finding a new dental practice that met our expectations. Our previous dentist's office was excellent, but after it was sold, we began our search for a new provider. After visiting two different offices, we finally discovered Affinity Dental Studio, and we are thrilled with our decision. Located conveniently on Bathurst, the office is not only easy to find but also beautifully designed, with state-of-the-art facilities that exude sophistication. From the moment you walk in, Chantel greets you with a warm smile, making you feel instantly comfortable and welcomed. For an exceptional cleaning, Andrea is the person to see. Her attention to detail and thoroughness ensures the best possible experience, all while maintaining a friendly and pleasant demeanor. Dr. Alina, the talented dentist, truly stands out. She is incredibly kind, approachable, and brings a sense of humor that makes every visit feel less like a dental appointment and more like a visit with family. Even during procedures, she has a remarkable ability to ensure you feel completely at ease, and you hardly feel any discomfort. If you're looking for the best dental care, we highly recommend Affinity Dental Studio. We are confident that you will not be disappointed :)
More
Sergiy Kis
10 months ago
Here's a review you could use: --- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a fantastic experience at this dental office. Dr. Allina was extremely friendly and patient with my 4-year-old son. She explained every detail and every option to us and even took the time to play with him and check his paw patrol doggy for cavities, which he loved. After his procedure, he got to open the treasure box and pick a toy, which was a great touch. The dental offices are newly built and extremely clean. The staff was super friendly as well. Overall, I’d give this place 10 stars if I could! Highly recommend.
More
Affinity Dental Studio - Richmond Hill

Request an Appointment Today

Call 289-809-2772