TMD, Orofacial Pain & Headaches

What Is TMD and Why Does It Happen?

TMD falls under the broader category of head and neck orofacial pain, and together these conditions are responsible for an enormous amount of chronic suffering, including a large percentage of recurring headaches. For decades, they were poorly understood. Fortunately, growing interdisciplinary collaboration and research have given us far greater insight into both the causes and the treatments.

Common contributing factors include:

• Malocclusion stemming from jaw and midface skeletal development
• Airway compromise affecting tongue posture and jaw position
• Changes in weaning, nutrition, and activity patterns over time
• Environmental influences that disrupt normal skeletal growth

When skeletal alignment is disrupted, adjacent systems experience increased stress and become inflamed. Inflammation affects muscles, nerves, and joints, and can produce lifestyle-altering pain that’s easy to misdiagnose or dismiss.

Jaw Expansion and Structural Correction

One area where our approach makes a significant difference is jaw expansion. When the upper or lower jaw develops too narrowly, it forces the tongue into a poor resting posture, crowds the airway, and puts disproportionate strain on the temporomandibular joint. Addressing jaw width through orthopedic dental treatment can relieve that pressure at the source rather than simply managing symptoms.

This kind of structural correction is central to our approach to TMD. Rather than treating pain in isolation, we look at the full functional picture to understand why the jaw ended up where it is, and what it will take to bring the system back into balance.

Our Coordinated, Interdisciplinary Approach

Because TMD and orofacial pain are rarely single-system problems, the best outcomes come from comprehensive, coordinated care. Our team at Advanced Dentistry & Aesthetics brings together a network of specialists who work in concert to address the full scope of each patient’s condition.

Ways we can help:

• Oral myofunctional therapy
• Fascia trigger point work, deep muscle therapy, and skeletal alignment
• Dry needling, TENS, and laser therapies
• Therapeutic Botox and nerve blocks
• Dental appliances, joint positioning splints, and orthopedic treatment
• Orthodontic and reconstructive work, including full-mouth reconstruction
• Oral tether releases for lip and tongue ties

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all protocol. Each patient’s situation is evaluated individually, and care is coordinated across disciplines to produce results that isolated treatments rarely achieve.

Dr. Peterson’s Expertise in Orofacial Pain

Dr. Paul Peterson has spent the last decade studying the underlying causes of jaw dysfunction and the most effective treatment approaches. That deep investment in understanding the “why” behind each patient’s condition is what sets our practice apart.

One of our patients, Megan R., described her experience this way:

“It's hard to put into words how I feel about the work and effort Dr. Peterson and his staff have done for me over the last few years. As a person who has never liked her smile, I was more than eager to learn about this process that could ultimately redefine how I presented myself to the world around me. And it surely has. The 2-3 year commitment was nothing in comparison to the pain-free, unrestricted confidence and freedom I now have, thanks to Dr. Peterson. His tremendous skill and aptitude, coupled with his attention to detail and highest level of care, are always present. And most importantly, he understands and empathizes with my anxiety when certain procedures need to be done. That is a true gift. His staff is equally excellent. From the friendly and welcoming front desk to the accommodating, amazing hygienists and the specialists, who give great relief, I know I'm always in good hands. All the time. Everytime. I am so very happy I made this commitment. Did it feel, at times, long, arduous, and uncomfortable? Yes. It is a level of self-care that can have you questioning its value and worth. But, through all of it, I can confidently say how deeply and profoundly this process changed how I look and feel about myself. And that's worth its weight in gold. I appreciate you all so much and truly love being a patient in your office!”

That kind of result doesn’t come from surface-level treatment. It comes from years of commitment, from both the patient and a provider who takes the time to truly understand what’s happening and why.

Beyond TMD, our office also offers medical aesthetics for patients interested in complementary treatments alongside their dental care.

Serving Patients in the Salt Lake Area

Our office is conveniently located for patients throughout the greater Salt Lake area. If you’ve been searching for answers to chronic jaw pain, facial discomfort, or headaches that haven’t responded to other treatments, we’d like to help you find them.

Reach out to our office to schedule a consultation and start getting the comprehensive evaluation your symptoms deserve.