TMJ Treatment

Dr. Herber has over 30 years of experience in treating TMJ without medication or surgery

Dr. Herber believes in a holistic and comprehensive approach to treating TMJ disorder, ensuring that we address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of your condition.

Experience relief from TMJ pain naturally

Does your jaw lock, click, pop, or feel tight? Do you have headaches when you wake up or any time of day? A TMJ disorder might be to blame. Schedule your personalized TMJ Evaluation with Dr. Herber to discuss treatment options and find relief from any TMJ pain or discomfort you are experiencing.

We understand the impact that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can have on your daily life. That's why we are dedicated to providing effective, medication-free, and surgery-free solutions for TMJ pain and discomfort. With over 30 years of experience, our TMJ dentist in Temecula, California, has helped numerous patients find long-lasting relief from their TMJ issues.

Our goal is to provide you with effective and natural treatment options that promote long-term healing and improved overall oral health.

TMJ patient testimonials

  • “This may sound cliché, but it is the absolute truth. Dr Erich Herber improved my lifestyle.

    How? You may ask… Well, let me start at the beginning. Many years ago, I started suffering from severe mouth pain. At the time I always thought it was a toothache and proceeded to see many different dentists who would give me a deep cleaning and eventually removed a back molar. I would feel fine for a while; however, the pain would always return and I would end up getting another deep cleaning. Never really solving the actual problem of my dilemma. I didn’t realize what the real cause of my jaw pain was until the year 2017, the left side of my jaw was hurting so bad, I couldn’t talk, eat or even sleep at night. At times it felt like I was suffering from three different types of pain that ranged from it feeling like something was digging deep inside the root of teeth or some force had hooked onto my left jaw muscles and trying to yank it out and last but, not least like a sharp electric spark striking the top of my jaw line. Didn’t matter what I did, there was no relief from the pain. That year I spent many nights wide awake due to the non-stop, throbbing pain and days sitting in waiting rooms of various Dentists hoping one would be able to fix my teeth. Until I met a dentist who said my teeth are fine, it is my TMJ that causing me pain. He simply recommended to take some Motrin and to go see a chiropractor. The Motrin and the chiropractor didn’t do anything for me, just seem to make it worse.

    Though the chiropractor did give me a little more information on what TMJ is, I decided to take the information to my Doctor at Kaiser to see if he could help me with my problem. I went through many tests, x-rays and MRI before, Kaiser finally gave me an appointment to see a TMJ/TMD Specialist who simply took one look at me and said that my pain wasn’t severe enough to qualify for surgery. He proceeded to proscribe me with more drugs and a Physical Therapy Class which was a single 1-hour session. The Specialist told me it a pain I will have to learn how to deal with for the rest of my life and there is no cure. I attended the 1-hour physical therapy session and ended up with some paperwork about the jaw muscles and stretching exercises I can do at home. I have to admit, it did give me some relief for a few years. I was able to talk, eat and sleep with minor pain. You can say, I learned how to deal with the pain reminding myself it is going to be like this for the rest of my life. So, for the past 3 years I learned how to “deal” with the pain.

    The year of 2020, I decided to switch my insurance from Kaiser to Cigna because, on the Cigna information sheet it stated they specialize in TMJ. With great excitement of the possibility of finding doctors who will finally help me with my TMJ pain I set up my first appointment in January with a Cigna Doctor. My TMJ pain was still “manageable” and the doctor recommended more drugs and recommended a Physical Therapist. By the time I got the recommendation COVID19 struck and the Physical Therapist wasn’t taking new patients. By Saint Patrick’s Day, my TMJ pain went from mild to severe. Again, I wasn’t able to talk, eat or sleep any longer. Finally, in mid-April, I was able to see thePhysical Therapist and, even though the Physical Therapist decided after ten 1-hour sessions was enough, my TMJ pain was still preventing me from being able to talk to my family and friends, I couldn’t allow myself to laugh at an extremely funny joke. Normally, I am the type of person who loves to laugh. I couldn’t even eat like a normal person. I was back to only eating a soft food diet consisting of oat meal, yogurt and apple sauce or soup. Even when eating soft foods was difficult.

    Since, the pain was so severe preventing me from sleeping at nights, I spent the time either reading or watching YouTube videos, particularly car videos and any information regarding TMJ/TMD. YouTube started recommending videos of people suffering from TMJ pain seeing doctors who were able to cure them of their pain with various methods. This past August, I did more Google Searches to see if I could find a doctor, specialist or anyone who could help cure my TMJ pain. I found Dr. Erich Herber in Temecula who specializes in TMJ. Not only was I desperate for a cure but, I felt hopeful. I immediately set up an appointment. I could tell right away after meeting with him that he would be able to assist me. As soon as I could I set up the appointment with him to be fitted with a customized brace and treatments. It may sound too good to be true but, after a couple days of constantly wearing my brace my jaw pain I started to notice a difference in jaw. After a week of wearing it and the second treatment session, I was able to talk more, eat solid foods and actually get a good night’s sleep. I am in my 5th week of wearing my brace and treatment session. Yes, at times I do feel a quick, sharp pain. It feels like a mild electric shock to my left jaw or the bottom of my jaw will tighten up in pain but, it is no longer severe and it goes away so fast it hasn’t bothered me like in the past. I can feel the healing process take affect and I have noticed the alignment of my jaw improve. I am positive that once my treatments are completed my jaw will be pain free and back to normal.

    This is why I say Dr. Erich Herber has improved my life style. I can talk, laugh, sleep and eat. This review is rather long but, I am hoping this will help other people who are suffering from the same symptoms as I and if you need to see a Specialist who can help you with your TMJ pain, I highly recommend setting up an appointment with Dr. Erich Herber.

    Thank you, Dr. Herber.”

    - Paul B.

  • “I wish I would have found Dr. Herber and his staff sooner. In 2 weeks, TMJ is 95% resolved. Pony up. Pay the money. Get your life back. Very fortunate to have knowledgeable TMJ practice in our area.”

    — Mike D.

  • “Dr. Herber has been treating my TMJ for several weeks. I've had great improvement after only a few visits. He and his staff are very pleasant to work with. I highly recommend Dr. Herber to treat your dental needs.”

    — Diane C.

  • “What a pleasant experience at Dr Herber’s dental office! Everyone is kind and attentive. He sees one patient at a time, so you get undivided attention. I was so happy to find someone that is knowledgeable about TMJ and how to treat it! I have seen amazing results so far! Dr Herber’s own experience with TMJ increases his empathy of my pain and everything I have been dealing with in having this disorder. I am so glad I found him!”

    — Sally H.

“Dr. Herber put me on a six month orthotic program…it has helped tremendously…”

TMJ patient testimonial videos

“Drastic improvements on every aspect of everything that I came in for…”

“Since I started this procedure with Dr. Herber, I have not experienced any pain whatsoever…”

“Within four months now, I practically have no pain…”

Schedule your personalized TMJ evaluation

Dr. Herber will conduct a thorough examination of your jaw joints, bite alignment, and surrounding muscles to determine the underlying causes of your TMJ pain.

Dr. Herber’s Personal Experience With TMJ

“After 22 years of taking increasingly toxic levels of pain medications and chasing solutions to my headache pain from MD’s, physical therapists, massage therapists, nutritionists, etc, I finally was offered the solution. A chronically inflamed TMJ was the primary trigger for headaches, ringing in the ears, poor posture and generalized facial pain. The solution was straight forward.

We needed to allow the TMJ inflammation to settle down and let the joint heal. The next day, 90% of my pain was gone, and it has stayed that way for the past 18 years. At this point I rarely have any headaches, and 1 Excedrin® will handle it if needed. I’m now offering the same treatment to you, because I literally feel your pain. It’s debilitating and takes a terrible toll on your daily life. THE GREAT PART? No surgery and no additional medications. Come see us. Once we confirm the diagnosis, we are extremely confident your quality of life will improve dramatically.” — Dr. Herber

Customized TMJ Treatment Options

Occlusal Splints and Oral Appliances

We offer custom-designed occlusal splints and oral appliances to alleviate TMJ symptoms. These devices are worn during sleep to help stabilize the jaw, relieve muscle tension, and reduce teeth grinding or clenching.

Physical Therapy and Jaw Exercises

Dr. Herber may recommend physical therapy techniques and targeted jaw exercises to help improve jaw mobility, reduce muscle tension, and restore proper function.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications

Dr. Herber provides guidance on lifestyle and behavioral changes that can contribute to TMJ pain reduction. This may include stress management techniques, dietary modifications, and relaxation exercises.

We Have Additional TMJ Resources Available For You

  • What is TMJ? An Overview of Causes, Symptoms, and More

    TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It refers to the joint that connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull. These joints play a crucial role in facilitating various movements of the jaw, allowing you to talk, chew, and open and close your mouth.

    Read More

  • How Can TMJ Cause Headaches?

    If you suffer from chronic headaches, you may be surprised to learn that the culprit could be related to your jaw. TMJ disorder can trigger headaches through various mechanisms. Learn more!

    Read More

  • Medication-Free and Surgery-Free Treatments for TMJ Disorder

    While traditional treatments often involve medication or surgical interventions, there is a growing emphasis on medication-free and surgery-free approaches to address TMJ disorders.

    Read More

Common questions about TMJ treatment

How is TMJ treated without surgery or medication?

Most TMJ cases respond to letting the joint decompress and heal rather than to surgery or long-term pain medication. Dr. Herber uses a custom oral appliance to stabilize the jaw and take pressure off the joint, combined with targeted exercises, physical therapy techniques, and changes to the habits keeping the muscles contracted. The goal is to address what is causing the pain rather than mask it.

How long does TMJ treatment take?

It depends on how long the joint has been inflamed and how much of the problem is muscular rather than structural. Many patients feel meaningful relief within the first few weeks, while a full orthotic program typically runs several months. Dr. Herber sets expectations at your evaluation, before you commit to anything.

What is an occlusal splint, and how is it different from a night guard?

An occlusal splint is a custom device, usually worn during sleep, that holds the jaw in a position where the joint can rest and the muscles can relax. It is fitted specifically to your bite. An over-the-counter night guard only protects the tooth surfaces from grinding, so it rarely produces the same result.

Will TMJ treatment permanently change my bite?

Some TMJ treatments are reversible and some permanently alter the bite. This is one of the most important questions to ask any TMJ provider, and you should have a clear answer before treatment starts. Dr. Herber will tell you exactly which category your recommended treatment falls into and why.

What if the first appliance does not work?

TMJ care is a process of confirming the diagnosis and adjusting, not a single procedure. If your response is not what we expected, Dr. Herber reassesses the joint, the bite, and the muscles rather than repeating the same step. Because he treats TMJ every week, he has seen the cases that do not follow the usual pattern.

What does the evaluation cost?

The evaluation is $97, and if you decide to move forward with treatment, that $97 is applied toward the cost of your treatment, so the visit ends up costing you nothing. Charging for it keeps the appointment what it should be, a real diagnostic visit with Dr. Herber rather than a sales conversation, and it means the schedule stays open for people who are ready to find out what is wrong.

Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?

Coverage varies widely. Some dental plans cover part of TMJ treatment, some medical plans cover part of it, and many plans exclude it entirely. Our office reviews your specific benefits with you before treatment begins so the cost is clear up front.

Do I need a referral to see a TMJ dentist?

No. You can schedule a TMJ evaluation directly. Many patients come on their own after years of being told their symptoms were something else, and others arrive by referral from physicians, physical therapists, or their general dentist.

What happens at the first visit?

Dr. Herber examines your jaw joints, bite alignment, and the surrounding muscles, and reviews your full symptom history. You leave knowing whether the joint is involved and what your options are. A personalized TMJ evaluation is $97, credited toward treatment if you move forward. Call 951-795-4833 to schedule, or request an evaluation online.