Conditions we treat
Expert care for complex orofacial pain
Dr. Haigler specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the jaw, face, head, and sleep — conditions that are often misunderstood or undertreated. If you've been searching for answers, you've come to the right place.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
The temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull and are among the most complex joints in the body. When they're not working properly, the effects can be far-reaching.
Common symptoms
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty or discomfort when chewing
- Limited range of motion or jaw locking
- Facial pain, ear pain, or a feeling of fullness in the ears
- Headaches that originate near the temples or jaw
About TMJ disorders
TMJ disorders (also called TMDs) encompass a range of conditions affecting the jaw joint, the muscles that control jaw movement, and the surrounding structures. They are among the most common causes of facial pain and can significantly impact quality of life.
Causes vary and often overlap — they may include jaw injury, arthritis, teeth grinding (bruxism), structural issues, or prolonged muscle tension. Because TMJ disorders share symptoms with many other conditions, accurate diagnosis is essential before any treatment begins.
Dr. Haigler takes a conservative, evidence-based approach to TMJ treatment. Most patients can find meaningful relief without surgery through a combination of oral appliance therapy, physical therapy, and targeted pain management strategies.
Headaches & Orofacial-Related Head Pain
Not all headaches are the same. Many chronic headaches can be triggered by other causes of pain within the head and neck region or from inadequate sleep. Other headaches can be a disorder on their own, or related to a systemic problem. Dr Haigler can help you determine what type of headache you may be having and from there, recommend the next steps in care.
Common symptoms
- Frequent or daily headaches, especially upon waking
- Pain at the temples, forehead, or back of the head
- Headaches that worsen with jaw use or stress
- Neck and shoulder tension accompanying head pain
- Sensitivity to light or sound during episodes
- Headaches that have not responded to standard treatments
About headaches
Headaches are one of the most common pain complaints worldwide, yet their connection to the jaw and orofacial structures is frequently overlooked. Tension-type headaches, in particular, are often aggravated by overactive jaw muscles — the same muscles involved in clenching and grinding, especially when there is increased sensitivity (aka allodynia) in those areas.
Dr. Haigler works closely with neurologists and primary care physicians to ensure patients receive a comprehensive evaluation. When headaches have another trigger, treating the underlying jaw or muscle dysfunction can dramatically reduce headache frequency and severity
Treatment may include oral appliance therapy to reduce nighttime clenching, trigger point management, and patient education on habits that contribute to muscle tension.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start throughout the night. Left untreated, it carries significant health risks.
Common symptoms
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Waking with gasping, choking, or a dry mouth
- Excessive daytime sleepiness despite a full night's sleep
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Irritability or mood changes
About sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax during sleep and block the airway. Each apnea event — which can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night — briefly wakes the brain to restore breathing, fragmenting sleep and depriving the body of restorative rest.
Untreated OSA is associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents. Diagnosis requires a sleep study, which Dr. Haigler can help coordinate in collaboration with a sleep medicine physician.
As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Haigler is specially trained to provide oral appliance therapy — a comfortable, effective alternative to CPAP for many patients with mild to moderate OSA, and an adjunct therapy for those who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Neuropathic & Trigeminal Facial Pain
Neuropathic facial pain involves damage or dysfunction of the nerves that supply the face and mouth. These conditions are often severe, persistent, and difficult to diagnose — but they are manageable.
Common symptoms
- Sudden, severe, electric shock-like facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia)
- Burning, aching, or shooting pain in the face, jaw, or teeth
- Pain triggered by light touch, chewing, speaking, or cold air
- Persistent tooth or jaw pain after dental treatment
- Facial pain with no identifiable dental or structural cause
- Pain that has not responded to standard dental or medical treatment
About neuropathic facial pain
Neuropathic pain conditions affecting the face include trigeminal neuralgia, persistent idiopathic facial pain, burning mouth syndrome, and atypical odontalgia (tooth pain with no dental cause). These conditions arise from abnormal signaling in the trigeminal nerve — the primary sensory nerve of the face.
Because neuropathic facial pain can mimic dental pain, many patients undergo unnecessary dental procedures before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Haigler's specialized training allows her to identify these conditions early and develop a targeted treatment plan.
Treatment approaches may include pharmacological management, nerve blocks, and coordination with neurologists or pain management specialists. Dr. Haigler is committed to helping patients who have struggled to find answers finally get the care they need.
Not sure if we treat your condition?
Many patients come to us after years of searching for answers. If you're experiencing unexplained facial pain, jaw problems, headaches, or sleep issues, we encourage you to reach out. Dr. Haigler will take the time to listen and help determine the right path forward.