Jaw pain, headaches, teeth grinding, and jaw clicking can make everyday life uncomfortable. At Durham Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide comprehensive TMJ evaluations and personalized treatment plans to relieve pain, protect your teeth, and restore comfortable jaw function. For many patients, a custom-made nightguard offers an effective, non-invasive solution to reduce the effects of grinding and clenching while they sleep.
TMJ Treatment & Custom Nightguards Durham
Find Relief from Jaw Pain, Teeth Grinding & Clenching
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Award-Winning Care Recognized Nationally
Specialists in Complex Smile Restoration & Dental Implants
Trusted by Thousands of Patients with a 5.0 ★ Google Rating
20+ Years Helping Patients Smile and Live Confidently
TMJ Treatment & Nightguards in Durham
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your jaw to your skull and allow you to speak, chew, and yawn comfortably. When these joints or the surrounding muscles aren’t functioning properly, they can lead to jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping sounds, facial discomfort, and limited jaw movement.
Because TMJ disorders can have many different causes—including teeth grinding, clenching, bite problems, muscle tension, or damaged teeth—we begin with a comprehensive evaluation to determine what’s causing your symptoms.
Our goal is to relieve discomfort, improve jaw function, and prevent your condition from worsening over time.
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday-Sunday: Closed.
Meet Your Team of Dentists
We're a team of gentle and compassionate dentists dedicated to the highest standards of care, combining specialized expertise with a compassionate approach.

Originally from West Virginia, Dr. Cunningham was fortunate to be raised in a small town where his dad practiced general dentistry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom.
In 2015, Dr Cunningham achieved his dream of private practice ownership becoming the owner of Durham Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry. Also in 2015, Dr. Cunningham achieved his board certification, an achievement that only a small percentage of prosthodontists in the world attain.
In 2018, Dr. Cunningham was extremely honored to be awarded the Private Practice Award by the American College of Prosthodontics. This award is given out to only four practitioners in the United States annually. Dr. Cunningham is published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, lectures for world renowned implant companies nationally, serves as an expert witness, and provides dental industry consultation services. He is honored to be named as Durham Magazine’s Top Dentist by his peers, year after year.
Simply put, Dr. Cunningham loves the art and science of dentistry and is very passionate about the pursuit of clinical excellence. The decision to specialize in Prosthodontics is based on this passion and the yearning to have the ability to treat more complex multidisciplinary cases, a skill that is not taught in the general dentistry realm. He is also has many local and out of state dentists come to him for their own dental care.
Dr. Cunningham is married to his wife, Karen Cunningham. They have two daughters, Annalee and Audrey. When he isn’t working to improve your smile, Dr. Cunningham enjoys outdoor sports, reading, watching documentaries, and spending time with family.

A native of North Carolina, Dr. Gazdeck grew up the oldest of four siblings in Lincolnton, NC. After graduating Summa Cum Laude and a Valedictorian from North Carolina State University in 2009 he went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014.
He continued his education by completing a 3-year specialty residency in Prosthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, obtaining a certificate in Prosthodontics and a Master of Science (MS) in Oral Sciences in 2017. A year later in 2018 he completed his formal education after a fellowship in Maxillofacial Prosthetics, a subspecialty of prosthodontics involving head and neck cancer, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Following his training, Dr. Gazdeck decided to return home and join Durham Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry in the Summer of 2018. Soon after, Dr. Gazdeck attained Diplomate status from the American Board of Prosthodontics, and together he and Dr. Cunningham are the only two Board Certified Prosthodontists in Private Practice within Durham-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Gazdeck holds an appointment at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry as an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the Department of Prosthodontics. He utilizes his additional head and neck cancer training to lead and oversee the maxillofacial prosthetics course and clinic each week with the prosthodontic residents. Dr. Gazdeck lectures locally and nationally on current topics in cancer treatment, dental implants, advanced restorative dentistry, and is published in the Journal of Oral Diseases.
He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontics, Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Member of the American Dental Association, and is involved with local dental societies and study clubs.
Dr. Gazdeck is married to his wife Leslie, who he met while in dental school. Leslie is a pediatric dentist in the triangle area and together they have three sons named Nate, Matt, and Will. Outside of the office, Dr. Gazdeck values family time and loves to travel, golf, and explore the outdoors.
Financial & Pricing
Transparent Pricing
We always focus on clearly communicating the cost of treatments so you know exactly what to expect.
01
No Insurance, No Problem
Many of our patients pay out of pocket with cash, credit card, debit etc. We also offer third party financing through CareCredit.
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Signs You May Benefit from a TMJ Evaluation
You may benefit from an evaluation if you experience:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Difficulty chewing or pain while eating
- Jaw stiffness or limited movement
- Frequent headaches or facial pain
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Worn, chipped, or fractured teeth
- Morning jaw soreness
- Tooth sensitivity caused by excessive wear
Not all jaw pain is caused by TMJ disorders, which is why an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment.
Custom Nightguards for Teeth Grinding & Clenching
Many people grind or clench their teeth while sleeping without realizing it. Over time, this habit (known as bruxism) can wear down teeth, damage dental work, contribute to jaw pain, and worsen TMJ symptoms.
A custom nightguard is one of the most common conservative treatments for patients experiencing nighttime grinding or clenching. Unlike over-the-counter guards, a professionally made nightguard is custom-designed from precise impressions of your teeth, providing a comfortable fit and better protection.
A custom nightguard can help:
- Protect teeth from wear and fractures
- Reduce pressure on the jaw joints
- Minimize muscle tension
- Help reduce morning headaches
- Protect crowns, veneers, implants, and other restorations
- Improve comfort while sleeping
TMJ Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms. After your examination, we may recommend one or more of the following:
Custom Nightguards
A professionally fabricated nightguard helps protect your teeth while reducing the effects of nighttime grinding and clenching.
Lifestyle & Home Care
Simple changes such as stress management, jaw exercises, avoiding excessive chewing, and applying heat or ice may help relieve symptoms.
Medication
Anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation when appropriate.
Bite Adjustments or Restorative Dentistry
Damaged restorations or bite irregularities can sometimes contribute to TMJ symptoms. If necessary, we may recommend restorative treatment to improve your bite.
Orthodontic Treatment
In some cases, correcting bite alignment may reduce excessive forces on the jaw joints.
Referral for Advanced Care
If your condition requires specialized treatment or surgery, we’ll coordinate your care with an appropriate specialist.
Contact Us
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A dental experience unlike anything you've ever experienced...
We’re Gentle
We do everything we can to make sure your visit is as comfortable as possible. We want you to love coming to the dentist.
Highly Rated & Reviewed
We have a 5.0 ★ Google rating with over 200 reviews. This directly reflects the excellent service our patients receive.
Flexible Payment Options
We know that finances differ for every individual. In an effort to keep your dental care convenient and affordable, we have a variety of payment options.
Award Winning Care
Awarded the 2018 Prosthodontist Private Practice Award by the American College of Prosthodontists. This honor, given only to five practices in the U.S., recognizes his commitment to the specialty.
Industry Leading Technology
We invest in the latest and greatest technology for improved comfort and diagnostics.
Accepting New Patients
We warmly welcome new patients to our office and do our best to accommodate short notice appointments.
Industry leading technology for comfort and care.
CBCT Imaging: Get a detailed, 3D view of your oral health for precise diagnosis, treatment planning, and implant placement.
Digital Treatment Planning: Advanced digital workflows help us design restorations and implant treatments with greater accuracy and predictability.
Dental Implants: Restore missing teeth with state-of-the-art implant solutions designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Judgement free dentistry.
We know most folks don’t like going to the dentist. We use industry leading technology and super gentle techniques to ensure our patients are comfortable. We offer a wide range of solutions for patients with dental anxiety.
High quality dentistry that's accessible to all.
No one wants to be surprised with a bill for their dentistry. We always focus on being extra transparent with what work is being completed, how much treatment will cost, and what portion insurance will cover. We are competitively priced for those who do not have dental insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my bite alignment is causing other pain in my body?
If you are unsure if your bite is creating pain in other areas of your body, consult with us so we may provide you with a proper course of action
Is there treatment for clenching and grinding?
By rehabilitating your bite and making sure the teeth meet harmoniously, we can relieve you of any pain related to clenching and grinding. You may need a full bite rehabilitation or simply a night appliance.
Will this treatment be covered by my insurance?
Most of our treatments are covered by a majority of insurance companies. For a more detailed explanation of your coverage please call your service provider.
