Hi, I’m Dr. Curtis Westersund from Dentalife in Calgary, and I’ve been helping patients with jaw pain, headaches, facial discomfort, and related issues for over 30 years. One of the most common things I hear is, “I didn’t even know I had TMJ!”
Well, technically, you do have TMJ’s – we all do. The temporomandibular joints (those hinge-like joints in front of your ears) are what let your jaw open, close, chew, and talk. But when these joints don’t function properly, you may have something called TMD: temporomandibular disorder.
And the root of TMD? For many people, it’s not stress. It’s not just teeth grinding. It’s biomechanical strain.
“Wait… What Even Is TMJ Pain?”
Fair question. TMJ pain doesn’t always scream “jaw problem.” In fact, it often whispers things like:
- Chronic headaches
- Facial or ear pain
- Clicking or locking jaws
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Difficulty chewing or even talking
Most people don’t connect these symptoms to their jaw, and that’s totally understandable. Many of my patients spent years seeing multiple specialists, trying every painkiller, scan, or therapy before finding out what was actually going on.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I always in pain and nobody can find anything wrong?”—you’re not alone. That’s when you need to see a TMJ dentist in Calgary who understands the body’s bigger picture.
How Do You Know If You Have TMD?
We start with a detailed conversation. I want to know everything—your symptoms, your health history, your daily habits. Then we do a comprehensive exam using biometric tools to measure your muscle activity, bite forces, and jaw movement in real time.
This isn’t guesswork. It’s science-backed data that helps us understand how your body is compensating—and where it’s breaking down.
You don’t have to live with unexplained pain. TMJ issues can affect your work, your sleep, your mood, and your relationships. But the good news? There’s something we can do about it.
My Approach: Biomechanics First, Always
At Dentalife, we don’t just look at teeth—we look at posture, muscles, jaw position, and function. Why? Because your jaw doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s part of a whole system.
My biomechanical approach means we:
- Identify structural imbalances
- Use computer-guided diagnostic tools to assess your bite
- Restore balanced function with custom orthotics, bite correction, and sometimes physical therapy
- Support your long-term health with sleep and airway-focused solutions if needed
TMJ treatment isn’t just about getting rid of pain (although yes, that’s a big part). It’s about restoring balance to your body so it can heal and perform the way it’s meant to.
30+ Years and Still Learning
I’ve been a TMJ care practitioner for over 30 years, but I’ve never stopped learning. I’m currently the president of the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO) and hold a Mastership in the organization. I’ve also been certified in Sleep Dentistry through the University of Alberta.
My work has been published in Cranio – The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice, the T-Scan Handbook, and several other peer-reviewed journals. I even teach internationally—working with dentists in Canada, the U.S., Brazil, India, Russia, Germany, Japan, and beyond—to help them better understand and treat TMD using biometric tools and a physiologic approach.
I also teach online at Jaume I University in Spain as part of the Neuromuscular Orthodontics Mastership. In short, TMJ is not a side-hustle for me. It’s what I do—day in and day out.
Don’t Let TMJ Pain Hold You Back
If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, headaches, facial tension, or unexplained discomfort, know this: relief is possible. You don’t have to suffer in silence or settle for band-aid solutions that never get to the root cause.
At Dentalife, we’re here to listen, to investigate, and to treat—not just the pain, but the person.
So if you’re ready to take that first step toward healing, reach out today. As a long-time TMJ dentist in Calgary, I’d be honoured to help you rediscover what life can feel like when your jaw—and your body—is finally in balance.
You don’t have to live with the pain. Let’s find your way back to comfort, together.
