Find relief from TMJ with dental therapy in Laguna Niguel, CA
The unmistakable TMJ headache, jaw popping, clicking jaw, facial pain, and ear noises of TMJ disorder may not be a life-threatening condition, but it certainly is a quality of life issue. Dr. Sean Thompson can help. At OC Smile Solutions in Laguna Niguel, CA, he provides effective TMJ therapy from the perspective of addressing underlying causes – not just symptoms – of discomfort.
What goes wrong with jaw joints?
Jaw joints are biomechanically complex. When bone, connective ligaments, muscles, nerves, and articulating discs are in harmony, TMJs work smoothly. You can comfortably open and close the mouth, slide the jaw side to side, and move it forward and back. When that delicate balance is disrupted, the joint becomes compressed, irritating the trigeminal nerve bundle. The result can be local jaw discomfort and loss of mobility as well as far-reaching referred pain in face, ears, neck, shoulders, back, and even lower body joints.
Bite, how upper and lower arches of teeth come together, has a symbiotic relationship with TMJs. Joint problems can throw bite out of orientation, and dental problems that impact bite can trigger TMD.
Laguna Niguel, CA patients have choices in TMJ therapy
Dr. Thompson begins with a comprehensive oral examination to determine a TMJ diagnosis. Then he designs a personalized treatment strategy for TMJ pain relief. It may involve a combination of:
- TMJ physical therapy such as gentle stretching exercises or jaw massage for TMJ
- TMJ pain treatment – anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications; hot or cold compresses
- Stress management techniques such as exercise, meditation, or yoga
- Bite adjustment – Dr. Thompson may re-contour crowns, so teeth fit together better, replace worn or ill-fitting dental restorations, recommend replacing missing teeth with bridges or dental implants, or suggest orthodontics to improve alignment
- Oral appliance therapy – An oral splint is custom-fitted for comfort. The clear, discreet device is worn at night (or through the day for severe cases). It gently repositions the mouth, helping you maintain a “lips together/teeth apart” posture that relieves strain on jaw joints. The guard also reduces tendency to brux – clench or grind teeth – which irritates joints.
Please talk with Dr. Thompson about TMJ therapy before you consider surgery or pain medications. He has helped patients across the Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and Laguna Niguel, CA area find comfortable alternatives. Call OC Smile Solutions at (949) 558-0111.
Success Stories
I was truly impressed by the total professionalism of the entire staff. Everyone was upbeat and very friendly. So glad I received Dr. Thompson’s flyer in the mail before I went to a different office. Highly recommend them.
What an amazing team of professionals. Wow, after all these years, I finally hit a home run with Dr. T. The time he spends with each patient is impressive— I know the insurance company doesn’t pay for his ‘personal attention’! Thank you all!
I have been a patient of Dr Thompson for the last 8 years. He always takes the time to answer my questions and the staff is friendly and caring. I have had a couple of crowns done and Dr Thompson is the gentleist. Never any pain or discomfort. Highly recommend.
OC smiles is the best place to go for any of your dental needs, Dr. Thompson is the best at what he does so make sure you check him out and his amazing office staff
My Husband and I, always have a wonderful Dental experience when visiting Dr. Sean Thompson! His Office Team is Very Professional & Friendly! It is a very Clean & Sterile Environment, and has all of the Latest & Greatest Dental Equipment! Shannon Rae is a Ray of Sunshine, and the Best Hygienist, I have ever been to! All of our Family & Friends, Agree, he is an Outstanding Family Dentist! I Highly Recommend Dr. Sean Thompson for all of your Dental needs!
Dr. Thompson’s office and dental care is great. Modern practice with all the latest technologies to offer excellent care and prevention. They are attentive and handle at the crazy insurance paperwork on your behalf.
The team at Dr. Thompson’s office is always so friendly. They always get us in on time and we leave with beautiful teeth!
I cannot say enough about Dr. Sean and his staff. I am new to the office, I’ve never felt so welcome and comfortable with a dentist before. He and his staff are warm and welcoming!
After trial and error, and searching for a dentist in our plan, Dr. Sean Thompson is great. My husband’s implants were very successful with no problems at all. The hygienist, Zach is also very thorough in his cleanings. Sandy, the insurance coordinator is Very efficient and knowledgeable. We are very comfortable with Dr. Thompson. I highly recommend him.
Great work and out appointment in no time at all.
Was looking for a new dentist for a while, saw their reviews online and went in to try them out. Wish I would have come years ago, all the newest tech (including onlay, crown, and veneer creation on site while you are there) as well as overall great service from everyone I have interacted with. So far, great service and nice gentle treatment (always appreciated from the dental field!). Highly recommend them!
Dr. Sean and his staff are so kind and accommodating. Totally helped me out during an emergency tooth ache and had me come in immediately without an appointment to take xrays and find the problem. Highly recommended if your looking for a great dentist and staff to take care of your pearly whites!
Dr. Thompson and his staff are great. Everything from customer service and scheduling to the actual dental care has been first rate. Everyone is very nice, and I feel like they try hard to deliver a quality service. I am near the end of an orthodontic treatment and I am very happy with the results.
Very courteous and professional staff. State of the art equipment and technology and Dr. Thompson is great!
A super friendly and efficient staff. I’m always nervous about going to the dentist, but they always make me feel relaxed and confident they will take care of me.
Dr Thompson treated me with the utmost care and professionalism that anyone could as for.. I was impressed at the excellent friendliness and atmosphere dr. Thompson and his staff provided. Dr Thompson’s treatment has given me a perfect smile and will highly recommend dr Thompson and his clinic to my friends.
I really like this dentist’s use of the latest dental technology, makes dental restorations go quickly. He’s also good at the oldfashioned skill of painless shots of novacaine, the one part of going to the dentist which needlephobic people like myself really dread.
The staff is friendly, helpful and professional. They take time to answer all your questions. I have been seeing Dr. Thompson and his friendly staff for years. I have never been disappointed I have introduced all my family and friends to him. His office is always clean and the dental equipment new.
It’s been a long time sence i’ve had a very smoothe and cordial office reception that your ladies presented. The exrays I was given were all new to me and kept to a minimum,which was patient friendly.thank you.
Dr. Thompson’s office was able to get me in right away for a problem I was having that couldn’t wait. Everyone in the office is professional and very competent. Dr. Thompson is an excellent dentist.
Everyone in the office is very nice & helpful, Sandy is able to check on our benefits so there aren’t any surprises! Dr Thompson is very gentle, I unfortunately had to have a root canal & crown, but had virtually no pain during or after the procedure! Great job!
I had a wonderful visit today. I really appreciate that the technology continues to get better with every visit. Your team is awesome!!!!! Thanks, Craig
Had a great experience, all the staff was amazing. They even watched my 2 year old while I was getting my teeth cleaned. So awesome! Love this dentist!
I have never had such a great experience at any dentist office EVER!
Dr Thompson and his team our very professional. They explained the procedures in detail which help me feel very comfortable. They provided me with a painless experience.
Another great visit to the dentist!! I’ve been coming to Dr. Thompson for over 12 years…I actually look forward to it too. Never a wait (or a minimum waittime), always friendly staff, and I’m in and out in about an hour (for cleanings).
Dr. Thompson really is the best dentist. Trusting, gentle, quality. Shanon Ray will clean your teeth perfectly every time. I love going to his office. I recommend him to all my friends and family. Sincerely Scott Magner
Dr Thompson is an amazing Dentist.. He has always taken great care if my husband and I. He is now taking great care of my 4 kids. We took my 4 year old in because we thought she had a cavity and although she was scared and nervous he reassured her that everything would be fine. We had our first successful visit to the dentist today. When your 4 year old says the dentist is nice and she wants to go see him again you know you have found a great dentist!
Shannon Rae is awesome. She listens to my needs and cleans my teeth accordingly. I’m so pleased with the service and the people work there.
