Katy

Katy, TX

Exterior view of the Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy medical office in Katy, TX.

Katy TMJ & Sleep Apnea Doctor

Katy has come a long way since its early beginnings as a railroad stop located near the intersection of Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties. Today, with the Greater Katy area population around 300,000—roughly that of St. Louis, Missouri—you can find dental and medical specialists located conveniently close to home.


One highly sought after, patient-focused specialist is Dr. Katherine S. Phillips. Treating and managing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMD), she has helped countless people in Greater Katy get relief from jaw pain and other life-affecting symptoms associated with TMD and Sleep Apnea.

Give us a call at (281) 296-6797 today for a consultation

Are You Experiencing Jaw Pain?

Your TMJs, one located on each side of your skull, act like a sliding hinges that move back and forth, side to side, and up and down. They work together every time you open and shut your mouth and jaw. 

If you suffer from TMD, pain in your TMJs and the muscles that control jaw movement is common, but not the only symptom you may experience. Sometimes the pain is severe and debilitating while other times it can be a persistent discomfort.

While the causes of TMD vary, they include, but are not limited to, injury to the jaw, TMJ, or muscles of the head and neck, and grinding or clenching your teeth which puts pressure on the TMJ. Even stress where you tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench your teeth, often without realizing it, can result in TMD.

How To Tell If You Have A TMJ Disorder

TMD is tricky to diagnose because it mimics symptoms associated with other conditions. Due to this, many people who have TMD go undiagnosed or underdiagnosed. They needlessly suffer discomfort and pain often for years with little to no relief. This is why it’s so important to seek diagnosis, treatment, and management from an expert such as Dr. Katherine Phillips if you have been told you have TMD or believe you have signs and symptoms such as those below.

TMD symptoms include, but are not limited to:

Pain in one or both of your temporomandibular joints. This can be constant or intermittent pain in the jaw joint (TMJ) ranging from mild to severe.

Aching facial pain. Your primary jaw muscle, the masseter, covers the sides of the jaw and just behind your cheek. When it’s sore, the sensation can feel like general facial pain in the cheeks as well as around the jaw and the TMJ.

Aching ear pain. Ear pain due to TMD is often felt in front of or below the ear, and can vary from a dull ache to sharp, searing pains. Ear fullness is also a common symptom.

Clicking or popping of your jaw when you eat, talk, chew, or open your mouth. Sometimes these TMD-related noises can be so loud even people near you can hear them. Popping and clicking sounds may be due to the soft cartilage disc that cushions the jawbone surfaces being out of position.

Frequent headaches. You may experience a constant ache, throbbing, or piercing pain like a migraine. TMD-related headaches are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches. Typical headache treatments, however, won’t provide relief if the pain is caused by an underlying TMJ disorder. 

Ringing in your ears (tinnitus). The ringing can be a constant tone, high-pitched, or even a roar.

How Dr. Phillips Treats TMD

Dr. Katherine Phillips has treated thousands of patientsand will develop a customized treatment plan to best meet your individual needs.


Multifaceted approach. Treatment plans may include over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants, at-home jaw exercises and massage, and the application of heat or ice packs—just to name a few.


While the above can help relieve the symptoms associated with TMD, Dr. Phillips’ primary form of treatment is dental splint therapy to treat the underlying cause of the symptoms, correct alignment issues, provide pressure and pain relief.


In the right hands, splint therapy is the most effective, research-based treatment available to provide lasting relief. Customized bite orthotics are created using state-of-the-art 3D imaging to offset any bite alignment issues that can lead to uneven loading forces in the TMJ. Effective treatment is more than just a splint, however. Dr. Phillips creates a comprehensive plan of follow up and adjustment to individually guide her patients to long-term success.   

Sleep Apnea

Do you have sleep apnea or think you might be experiencing sleep apnea symptoms? If so, Dr. Phillips treats obstructive sleep apnea and would be happy to discuss your situation with you. With over 12 years of experience treating patients, talking with her is the first step on your path to relief.

Local Resources

We're Here To Help, Contact Restore TMJ For A Consultation Today

Find out how Dr. Katherine S. Phillips can help you get fast, effective relief from TMD using proven, research-backed treatments. Schedule an appointment today. With a Master of Science in Orofacial Pain and extensive TMJ/TMD experience and expertise, she will offer a treatment plan that best fits your unique needs.

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