TMJ Evaluation and Treatment in Palm Beach Gardens
TMJ TreatmentCare for Your Jaw Comfort and Function
Discuss jaw discomfort, bite concerns, and jaw function with Dr. Rudnick at our Palm Beach Gardens office.
Individual results and ongoing care needs vary.
TMJ Care with Dr. Andrew Rudnick, DMD
LVI Fellow · University of Pennsylvania DMD · In private practice since 1996
Jaw pain can affect how you eat, speak, and get through your day. Dr. Rudnick evaluates your symptoms and discusses treatment options based on your needs.
At our Palm Beach Gardens office, your evaluation considers the jaw joints, muscles, teeth, and your health history. Treatment aims to improve comfort and function; results and ongoing care needs vary.
On this page: Symptoms · Your First Visit · Treatment · About Dr. Rudnick · Patient Stories · FAQs · For Dentists
Does This Sound Familiar?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) affect the jaw joints, chewing muscles, or both. Symptoms can overlap with other conditions and do not by themselves establish a diagnosis.
Jaw Pain and Movement
- Pain or tenderness around the jaw
- Difficulty or discomfort when chewing
- Limited jaw movement or jaw locking
- Painful clicking or popping
Related Concerns
- Facial discomfort or sore jaw muscles
- Jaw clenching or teeth grinding
- Headaches alongside jaw symptoms
- An uncomfortable or “off” bite
Persistent symptoms deserve an evaluation. Clicking or popping without pain does not necessarily require treatment.
What Happens at Your First TMJ Appointment?
An evaluation helps distinguish TMD from other causes of jaw or facial pain. Dr. Rudnick reviews your symptoms and findings before discussing appropriate next steps.
1. Discuss Your Symptoms
We review your health history, where you feel discomfort, how your jaw moves, and the concerns that brought you to the office.
2. Examine Your Jaw and Mouth
Dr. Rudnick examines your jaw and mouth. Imaging, measurements of jaw movement or muscle activity, or referral to another clinician may be considered when appropriate.
3. Review Your Options
We explain the findings, possible treatment goals, alternatives, and the benefits and limitations of recommended care. Your questions help guide the discussion.
Measurements are considered alongside your history and examination. A test result alone does not determine your treatment plan.
Hear From Our TMJ Patients
Hear patients describe their own experiences. Individual results and ongoing care needs vary.
“I’ve had terrible TMJ for years and have had all kinds of treatments to no avail. Dr. Rudnick’s approach is on a different scale. I just started treatment and already feel an improvement and am anxiously awaiting my orthotics.”
Sharon F. — TMJ patient review (excerpt)
TMJ Treatment Options and Follow-Up
Care is based on your symptoms, examination findings, and goals. Dr. Rudnick will discuss whether treatment, monitoring, self-care, or another evaluation is appropriate.
Oral Appliances
If an appliance is recommended, we explain its purpose, how to use it, and how your response will be monitored. Tell us if it causes discomfort or changes in your bite.
TENS Therapy
TENS uses electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin. We discuss whether it may be appropriate for your symptoms, its limitations, and what to expect.
Monitoring and Self-Care
Some people may not need active treatment. Depending on your symptoms, we may discuss self-care measures and monitoring. Contact the office if symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily activities.
Follow-Up and Ongoing Care
Follow-up visits help assess symptoms, jaw function, and your response to care. Your plan may be adjusted as your needs change. Separate dental concerns are evaluated on their own merits.
Before you decide, we explain the reason for recommended treatment, the alternatives, and its benefits and risks. Improvement cannot be guaranteed.
Experience Behind Your TMJ Evaluation
Andrew Rudnick, DMD · LVI Fellow
Dr. Rudnick earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and has been in private practice since 1996.
He is a Fellow of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). His postgraduate training includes occlusion and sleep apnea/TMJ treatments.
His approach considers the relationship between the jaw joints, muscles, teeth, and jaw movement alongside your symptoms and health history.
During your consultation, he explains the findings and discusses treatment recommendations in the context of your needs and goals.
More Patient Perspectives
Hear patients describe their own experiences. Individual results and ongoing care needs vary.
Your questions, answered
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Understand jaw symptoms, evaluation, and treatment choices.
Request an AppointmentHow is TMJ pain treated?
What is the difference between TMJ and TMD?
Can TMJ problems cause ear pain or headaches?
What should I do if my jaw locks?
Does jaw clicking always need treatment?
Who should evaluate persistent jaw pain?
FOR DENTISTS & REFERRING PROVIDERS
A Partner for TMJ Referrals & Complex Cases
Have a patient with TMJ concerns, or need another perspective on a complex dental case? Refer your patient to Dr. Andrew Rudnick for an evaluation and help exploring appropriate treatment options.
When we can help
- Patients with jaw pain, limited jaw movement, or other TMJ concerns.
- Complex cases involving jaw function, bite concerns, or restorative treatment planning.
- Cases where you would welcome an additional evaluation or discussion of treatment options.
Start a referral
Use our provider referral form to introduce your practice and the reason for referral. Our team can help coordinate the next step and discuss how we can support your patient’s care.
Andrew Rudnick, DMD · LVI Fellow
Rudnick Dentistry · Palm Beach Gardens
Open the provider referral form.
Request a TMJ Evaluation in Palm Beach Gardens
Discuss your jaw pain, understand the findings, and explore your next steps with Dr. Rudnick.
Rudnick Dentistry
4274 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Your TMJ Evaluation and Follow Up
Allow about 60 to 90 minutes for your first TMJ evaluation. Dr. Rudnick reviews your history, examines your jaw and mouth, checks the jaw muscles by touch, and uses jaw tracking and electromyography (EMG) as part of the assessment. These measurements are considered with your symptoms and examination, not as a diagnosis on their own.
When additional support is appropriate, we may coordinate physical therapy or massage therapy. A patient with severe jaw locking may need an oral surgeon. We explain the reason for any referral and the next step.
If another dentist refers you, we send our findings and treatment updates after the evaluation. The plan may involve care here or a return to your referring dentist after stabilization.
