TMJ Treatment & Night Guards in Natick, MA
Jaw pain, clicking, morning headaches or worn-down teeth? We find out what is behind it — and protect your teeth with a night guard made to fit your bite.
Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sat 9 a.m.–1 p.m.Takes about a minute
- Custom-fitted night guards
- Bite correction in-house
- Orthodontist on the team
- Most insurance accepted
- Where
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17 Worcester St (Rt 9 West), Natick, MA 01760
Get directions - Hours
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Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Paying for care
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We can file your insurance claims for you.
No insurance? Savings plan - Jaw locked or severe pain?
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Call us — we hold time each day we are open.
(508) 655-5757
Signs of a TMJ disorder or teeth grinding
Jaw problems and grinding often go unnoticed until they cause pain or damage. If any of these sound familiar, it is worth having your jaw and bite checked.
- Jaw pain or tenderness In front of the ear, along the jaw, or when you chew.
- Clicking or popping A noise or grating feeling when you open or close your mouth.
- A jaw that locks or catches Trouble opening wide, or a jaw that sticks part-way.
- Morning headaches Aching temples or ears when you wake up.
- Worn or chipped teeth Flat, shortened or cracked teeth — a classic sign of grinding.
- Sore jaw muscles Tired, tight cheeks or jaw, especially first thing in the morning.
- Sensitive teeth Grinding wears enamel and can make teeth sensitive to cold.
- A bite that feels "off" Teeth that no longer meet the way they used to.
Sound familiar? An evaluation will tell you what is causing it.
Book an evaluationWhat causes jaw pain and TMJ problems?
Your temporomandibular joints — the TMJ — hinge your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. They work every time you talk, chew or swallow. A TMJ disorder (often shortened to TMD) is pain or dysfunction in those joints or in the muscles that move them.
Common dental causes include:
- Grinding and clenching (bruxism), often during sleep or at times of stress
- A bite that does not meet evenly — crowded or crooked teeth, an overbite or underbite
- Missing teeth, which let neighbouring teeth drift and change your bite
- A filling or crown that sits too high
Not every jaw problem is dental
Injury, arthritis and some medical conditions can also cause jaw pain. Part of our evaluation is working out whether yours is something we can treat — and if it is not, pointing you to the right specialist.
Call the same day if your jaw locks open or shut, you have swelling, or the pain started after an injury: (508) 655-5757.
Sound familiar? Get your jaw checked.
An evaluation tells you what is behind the pain — and what will actually help.
How we treat TMJ and teeth grinding
We start with the simplest thing that will help, and only suggest more if you need it.
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Jaw & bite evaluation
We examine your jaw joints, the muscles that move them and the way your teeth meet, and look for wear that points to grinding.
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Custom night guards
A thin, custom-fitted guard made from impressions of your teeth, to protect them from grinding and ease the load on your jaw.
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Bite adjustment
A filling or crown that sits too high can strain your jaw. Small adjustments let your teeth meet evenly again.
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Orthodontic bite correction
Crowded teeth, overbites and underbites corrected with Invisalign or braces by the orthodontist on our team.
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Rebuilding worn teeth
Teeth that grinding has flattened or cracked restored with porcelain crowns, so your bite has the right height again.
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Referral when you need it
Some jaw problems need a physician, physical therapist or surgeon. If yours does, we will tell you and point you to the right person.
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Custom night guards vs store-bought
A night guard sits over your teeth while you sleep, taking the force of grinding so your teeth do not. How well it works depends on how well it fits.
| Feature | Custom night guard | Store-bought (boil-and-bite) |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | From impressions of your own teeth | Softened in hot water and bitten into at home |
| Fit | Thin, snug and stays in place | Often bulky; can loosen during the night |
| Your bite | Checked and adjusted by your dentist | Not checked by anyone |
| Durability | Made to stand up to grinding | Soft material can wear through quickly |
| Cost | More up front; may be covered by insurance | Cheaper, but replaced more often |
Have crowns, veneers or implants? A night guard helps protect them too.
Dental impressions and fitting, step by step
Two short visits from evaluation to a guard that fits.
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Evaluation
We talk through your symptoms, examine your jaw joints and muscles, and check your teeth for wear and your bite.
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Impressions
If a night guard is right for you, we take impressions of your teeth so it can be made to fit your mouth exactly.
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Fitting
At a short second visit we fit the guard, check your bite on it and make any adjustments so it feels comfortable.
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Follow-up
We check the guard and your symptoms at your regular visits, and look at bite correction if the cause is how your teeth meet.
Fixing a bite that strains your jaw
When teeth do not meet evenly, the jaw muscles work harder to bring them together. Depending on the cause, we can:
- Adjust a filling or crown that sits too high
- Straighten crowded teeth or correct an overbite or underbite with Invisalign or braces
- Rebuild teeth worn down by grinding with crowns
- Replace missing teeth with dental implants so the others stop drifting
What you can do at home while you wait
- Eat soft food and cut it small; avoid gum and chewy or hard foods
- Use a warm compress on sore jaw muscles
- Notice daytime clenching — lips together, teeth apart
- Avoid wide yawns and resting your chin on your hand
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relief, if it is safe for you
If your jaw locks, or the pain is severe or getting worse, call us the same day.
Grinding wears teeth down — often before it hurts.
Flattened, cracked and sensitive teeth are hard to undo. If your jaw locks or the pain is getting worse, call us the same day.
Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sat 9 a.m.–1 p.m.Jaw, bite and teeth — one team
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Your dentist and orthodontist, together
Night guards, bite adjustments and worn-tooth repair are done by our restorative dentist, Dr. Charles Badaoui. When the fix is straightening your teeth, Dr. Andrew Chase — a Boston University-trained dentist with a Master's in Oral Biology and a postdoctoral degree in orthodontics — is on our team.
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The simplest fix first
Most jaw pain from grinding is helped by a well-fitted night guard. We only suggest orthodontics or crowns when they are likely to make a difference.
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Saturday mornings too
Weekdays until 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings, so a fitting does not cost you a day off work.
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Dr. Charles Badaoui Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry -
Dr. Andrew Chase Orthodontics
TMJ and night guard questions
What is a TMJ disorder?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. A TMJ disorder — often called TMD — is pain or trouble with those joints or the muscles that move them. Common signs are jaw pain, clicking, headaches and a jaw that locks or catches.
Can a dentist treat TMJ?
Yes, for many people. Grinding, clenching and a bite that does not meet evenly are common causes of jaw pain, and those are dental problems. We can protect your teeth with a custom night guard, adjust or correct your bite, and rebuild worn teeth. If your symptoms point to something beyond dental care, we will tell you and refer you.
Do I need a night guard?
If you grind or clench your teeth — often a partner hears it, or you wake with a sore jaw or headache — a night guard protects your teeth and can ease the strain on your jaw. It is also recommended if you have crowns or veneers you want to protect. We can tell you at an evaluation whether your teeth show signs of grinding.
Is a custom night guard better than a store-bought one?
A custom guard is made from impressions of your teeth, so it is thinner, fits snugly and stays in place, and your dentist checks that your bite is even on it. Boil-and-bite guards are cheaper but often bulky and loose, and soft ones can wear through quickly or even encourage chewing.
How are night guards made?
We take impressions of your teeth at your first visit and your guard is made from them. At a short second visit we fit it, check your bite and adjust it so it is comfortable to wear all night.
Does dental insurance cover night guards?
Some plans pay toward a night guard, especially when grinding has been documented; others do not. Check with your insurer before you start — we can tell you what to ask.
Can bite correction help jaw pain?
Sometimes. When jaw pain comes from teeth that do not meet evenly — crowding, an overbite, missing teeth or a restoration that sits too high — correcting the bite can take strain off the joint. We start with the simplest option and only suggest orthodontics or restorations if they are likely to help.
Will TMJ pain go away on its own?
Mild jaw pain often settles with rest, soft food and less clenching. If it lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or your jaw locks, have it checked — especially if your teeth are showing wear.
Is there a TMJ dentist near me in Natick?
We are at 17 Worcester St on Route 9 West in Natick, MA 01760 — a short drive from Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Sherborn and Dover — and open Saturday mornings as well as weekdays.
Jaw pain or grinding? Let's find out why.
Book an evaluation and leave knowing what is causing it and what will help — from a custom night guard to bite correction.
Jaw locked or severe pain? See dental emergencies.