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Specialty

Treatments

At Manning Orthodontics, specialty treatments are designed to support healthier smiles and better daily comfort, especially for patients dealing with jaw pain, teeth grinding, and TMD symptoms in The Woodlands, Magnolia, and Montgomery. If you have chronic clenching, headaches, facial soreness, or a clicking or locking jaw, Dr. Kendra Pratt Manning can evaluate your bite and jaw function and recommend targeted options like neurotoxin injections, orthodontics for bite-related TMD, and splint therapy to reduce strain on the joint and muscles. 

TMD Relief

Neurotoxin injections can relax overactive jaw muscles to reduce clenching, grinding, and TMD-related pain, headaches, and facial discomfort.

Splint Therapy

A custom splint or nightguard can protect the jaw joint while you sleep and help reduce pressure that contributes to pain and clicking. 

Facial Esthetics

Esthetic injections can help with concerns like gummy smiles, dynamic wrinkles, and facial tension while supporting natural, confident expressions.

A clear dental aligner or retainer resting on top of a closed blue plastic storage case.

Specialty Treatments That Support Comfort and Function

TMD can impact more than just your jaw. It can affect chewing, sleep, headaches, neck tension, ear discomfort, and even tooth wear from grinding or clenching. Manning Orthodontics offers a modern approach that looks at the whole picture, including jaw function, bite alignment, and muscle activity. For many patients, neurotoxin injections help by relaxing the masseter and temporalis muscles to minimize muscle contractions that drive clenching and grinding, which may also reduce facial pain and improve sleep quality.


Esthetic Services That Help You Look and Feel Your Best

Dr. Manning is Board Certified in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and licensed by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE), bringing an expert understanding of facial balance, muscles, and smile design to every esthetic treatment. For example, neurotoxin injections can be used to help manage a gummy smile by relaxing the muscle that lifts the upper lip too aggressively, and they can also support comfort for patients with chronic jaw tension and grinding. If you are looking for conservative, non-surgical options for facial esthetics, TMD relief, or clenching and grinding support, schedule a consultation at Manning Orthodontics and we will help you understand your best next step.


To learn more about specialty treatments from Manning Orthodontics, read our FAQ below.

Specialty Treatments FAQ

  • What is TMD and why does it cause jaw pain?

    TMD is temporomandibular joint disorder, which involves pain or dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It can cause jaw soreness, clicking, stiffness, and discomfort when chewing, and may contribute to headaches and facial tension.

  • What symptoms might mean I have TMD?

    Common TMD symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or locking, tension headaches, neck or jaw stiffness, ear discomfort, and pain when chewing. If these symptoms are persistent, a professional evaluation at Manning Orthodontics can help identify the cause.

  • Can neurotoxin injections help with TMD and jaw clenching?

    Yes. Neurotoxin injections can relax the overactive muscles used for clenching and grinding, especially the masseter and temporalis, which may reduce facial pain, jaw tension, and TMD symptoms.

  • How do neurotoxin injections work for TMD pain?

    Neurotoxin injections reduce the muscle contractions that contribute to grinding and clenching and help interrupt pain pathways. This muscle relaxation can decrease headaches, spasms, and joint-related discomfort.

  • How soon will I notice results from injections?

    Many patients begin noticing improvement several days after treatment, and some esthetic and comfort-related results may take about 7 to 10 days to fully appear.

  • How long do injections typically last?

    Results commonly last about 3 to 6 months, depending on the type of neurotoxin used and the severity of clenching, grinding, or TMD symptoms.

  • Will I still be able to chew normally after injections?

    Yes. Chewing involves multiple muscle groups, and treatment typically relaxes one or two key muscles without preventing normal jaw function.

  • Can injections help with teeth grinding and bruxism at night?

    They can. Relaxing overactive jaw muscles may reduce nighttime grinding and clenching, which can help protect teeth, reduce soreness, and improve sleep quality over time.

  • Can injections help with headaches or migraines?

    Many patients experience reduced headache intensity when neurotoxin is placed in specific muscle areas. Dr. Manning will discuss whether your symptoms and muscle patterns suggest you may benefit.

  • Can injections improve sleep apnea?

    Sleep apnea has many causes, but clinical evidence suggests reducing clenching and grinding muscle activity can be one component that supports better sleep quality for some patients.

  • What is splint therapy for TMD?

    Splint therapy uses a custom splint, often called a nightguard, to protect the joint and reduce pressure on the condylar disc while you sleep. Consistent wear can help decrease pain and clicking.

  • Can orthodontic treatment help with TMD?

    Sometimes. A misaligned bite can create jaw tension when teeth do not fit comfortably together. In certain cases, orthodontics can move teeth into a more optimal position to reduce strain and support a healthier bite.

  • Do some patients need more than one TMD treatment approach?

    Yes. Depending on the cause and severity, treatment may involve a combination of injections, orthodontics, and splint therapy. Dr. Manning will help build a plan that fits your needs.

  • How do you treat a gummy smile without surgery?

    In many cases, a small amount of neurotoxin can be placed to relax the muscle that lifts the upper lip too aggressively, reducing excessive gum show without an irreversible procedure.

  • Does neurotoxin remove deep wrinkles?

    Neurotoxin treats dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions. Deep-set lines that are present at rest may need other options, and Dr. Manning can explain what is most appropriate for your goals.

  • Do you offer other specialty appliances at Manning Orthodontics?

    Yes. In addition to TMD-focused care and esthetic services, Manning Orthodontics offers specialty orthodontic appliances such as habit appliances for thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, Forsus appliances for overbites, and custom mouthguards and night guards.

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