TMJ treatment focused on
If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or sore teeth — your TMJ may need attention. Conservative treatment, custom night guards, and honest assessment from a Master of the AGD.
⭐ 500+ five-star reviews · MAGD Master of the Academy of General Dentistry · Diamond+ Invisalign Provider
Surgery is almost never the first answer
The vast majority of TMJ pain responds to conservative treatment — custom night guards, bite adjustment, posture work, and stress management. Surgery is rare and reserved for structural problems.

The fit and material make all the difference
Drugstore mouthguards can actually worsen TMJ symptoms because they don’t fit precisely. A custom night guard molded to your teeth lets your jaw rest in its natural position and stops the clench cycle.

I avoided the dentist for almost eight years. Dr. Pedersen and her team made me feel completely safe — no judgment, no lecture, just a real plan I could afford. Two years in and I never miss a cleaning.— Sarah M.
Complete care under one roof
Every service in the same office, with the same team that already knows your story.
Custom night guards
Precisely fitted to stop clenching and grinding at night.
Bite adjustment
Selective polishing to correct uneven bite forces.
Conservative TMJ therapy
Posture, stress, and habit-modification protocols.
Same-week appointments
If you’re in jaw pain, we’ll see you quickly.
Botox referrals
For chronic muscle clenching, we coordinate with trusted Botox providers.
Smile Club discounts
Members receive a discount on custom night guards.
Custom night guards
Precisely fitted to stop clenching and grinding at night.
Bite adjustment
Selective polishing to correct uneven bite forces.
Conservative TMJ therapy
Posture, stress, and habit-modification protocols.
Same-week appointments
If you’re in jaw pain, we’ll see you quickly.
Botox referrals
For chronic muscle clenching, we coordinate with trusted Botox providers.
Smile Club discounts
Members receive a discount on custom night guards.
Sometimes you need a specialist, sometimes you don’t
We treat most TMJ cases in-house. For complex structural issues or cases not responding to conservative treatment, we’ll refer to a trusted TMJ specialist or oral surgeon — but only when truly indicated.
![]()
What our patients actually say
Hundreds of 5-star reviews from real Overland Park, Johnson County, and Cass County families.
“I avoided the dentist for almost eight years. Dr. Pedersen and her team made me feel completely safe — no judgment, no lecture, just a real plan I could afford. Two years in and I never miss a cleaning.”
“We have four kids ranging from 6 to 17. Having one dental office that handles all of them — including my teenager’s Invisalign — has saved us so many hours of driving.”
“I’d been searching for a ‘natural dentist’ in Overland Park for two years. Finally found one that doesn’t make me feel weird for asking about my fillings.”
“Walked in convinced I needed a root canal. They diagnosed a cracked filling and fixed it the same day for a fraction of what I’d been quoted. Honest, fast, painless.”
“I avoided the dentist for almost eight years. Dr. Pedersen and her team made me feel completely safe — no judgment, no lecture, just a real plan I could afford. Two years in and I never miss a cleaning.”
“We have four kids ranging from 6 to 17. Having one dental office that handles all of them — including my teenager’s Invisalign — has saved us so many hours of driving.”
“I’d been searching for a ‘natural dentist’ in Overland Park for two years. Finally found one that doesn’t make me feel weird for asking about my fillings.”
“Walked in convinced I needed a root canal. They diagnosed a cracked filling and fixed it the same day for a fraction of what I’d been quoted. Honest, fast, painless.”
“Cracked a molar on a Tuesday morning. Called at 8am, was in the chair by 11 with a same-day temporary crown. They saved my workweek.”
“I’d been hiding my smile for a decade. Now I forget I have implants until someone compliments my teeth.”
“Quoted four veneers somewhere else. Dr. Pedersen showed me a digital preview and we ended up doing bonding on two teeth and whitening — same result, a fraction of the cost.”
“The Smile Club paid for itself in the first six months. As a freelancer with no insurance, this is the only reason I actually get my teeth cleaned twice a year now.”
“Cracked a molar on a Tuesday morning. Called at 8am, was in the chair by 11 with a same-day temporary crown. They saved my workweek.”
“I’d been hiding my smile for a decade. Now I forget I have implants until someone compliments my teeth.”
“Quoted four veneers somewhere else. Dr. Pedersen showed me a digital preview and we ended up doing bonding on two teeth and whitening — same result, a fraction of the cost.”
“The Smile Club paid for itself in the first six months. As a freelancer with no insurance, this is the only reason I actually get my teeth cleaned twice a year now.”
“Dr. Pedersen finished my Invisalign in eleven months. My old dentist (Bronze tier) had quoted twenty. Experience really does matter.”
“Having a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider this close to home meant my daughter didn’t have to miss school for every check-in. They explained everything to her like she was the patient, not me.”
“My six-year-old now asks when we get to go back to the dentist. That has never happened in any office before. The team is something else.”
“My implant looks better than the tooth it replaced. Every step explained, every cost in writing up front, zero surprises on the bill.”
“Dr. Pedersen finished my Invisalign in eleven months. My old dentist (Bronze tier) had quoted twenty. Experience really does matter.”
“Having a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider this close to home meant my daughter didn’t have to miss school for every check-in. They explained everything to her like she was the patient, not me.”
“My six-year-old now asks when we get to go back to the dentist. That has never happened in any office before. The team is something else.”
“My implant looks better than the tooth it replaced. Every step explained, every cost in writing up front, zero surprises on the bill.”
Visit us in Overland Park or Peculiar
Records and treatment plans travel with you between offices — so a move across the metro never means starting over with a new dentist.

Overland Park, KS
Overland Park, KS 66210

Peculiar, MO
Peculiar, MO 64078
Who we see
Patients with jaw pain, headaches, and clenching symptoms come to Love To Smile for honest, treatment-first TMJ care.

Most major PPO insurance accepted
We verify benefits before your appointment and file claims for you. No insurance? Ask about the Smile Club.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have TMJ problems?
Common signs: jaw pain (especially mornings), headaches, clicking or popping jaw, sore teeth, ear pain, neck tension, or limited jaw opening. Many people clench at night without realizing it — worn teeth and morning soreness are clues.
How much does a custom night guard cost?
Custom night guards typically run $400–$800. Most insurance plans cover a portion. Smile Club members receive a discount.
Will my insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Some PPO plans cover night guards and TMJ-related dental treatment; others classify TMJ as a medical (not dental) condition. We verify benefits and provide written estimates.
How long does TMJ treatment take?
Most patients see relief within 2–4 weeks of starting night guard therapy. Bite adjustment is typically a single visit. Chronic cases may need 3–6 months of layered treatment.
Do I need surgery for TMJ?
Almost never. The vast majority of TMJ pain responds to conservative treatment. Surgery is reserved for structural problems and is referred to a TMJ specialist.
Will whitening my teeth affect TMJ?
No — whitening and TMJ are unrelated. You can pursue both simultaneously.
Can clenching damage my teeth?
Yes — chronic clenching wears enamel, fractures teeth, and accelerates the need for crowns. A night guard pays for itself by preventing this damage.
Book a TMJ consultation.
Comprehensive exam includes bite analysis, jaw range of motion check, and an honest assessment of whether a night guard is right for you.