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I don't have a suggestion for a specialist but while you are looking maybe give acupuncture a try. This is completely anecdotal but last I definitely had success with it.

My guess would be an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor (otolaryngologist). But why not start with your primary care?

I’d say skip primary care and go straight to the specialist if your insurance would cover it. You know it’s your jaw don’t need to go to primary care just for them to say yup your jaw’s messed up go see a specialist.

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I had a rough case of lockjaw in 2016 (one of my many weird body/health issues stemming from Lyme disease). I could barely open or close my mouth fully. I went to Elite Physical Therapy and had a few sessions where they taught me techniques that I can implement anytime I feel my jaw stiffening. Hasn’t happened again since, thankfully.

Someone I know who has this same problem said botox injections help. Almost immediate relief.

Yeah I broke my spine in four places in 2016 from a trapeze accident and the only thing that helped was when we saged our living room and drank probiotic tea

Physical therapy is a good option

This is true. I have pretty bad TMJ and this was AMAZING. Almost 6 months nearly pain free. I could have conversations, I could chew food, it was brilliant. Unfortunately, my insurance won't cover it so I can't get the only treatment that actually helps aside from an eventual surgery that I will need.

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Look for a pain management physician. I saw one in North Attleboro and he was fantastic. I've also tried the craniofacial clinics around Boston, but none were that great tbh. The folks at Tufts just told me I was stressed and needed therapy to stop clenching my jaw- even though there is a clear deformity in my bone shape on x-rays...

Someone mentioned Botox below, and it definitely works wonders- but my insurance doesn't cover it (and I have really, really good coverage). You can also try a stem cell treatment as well, which also helped me for several months until it wore off (some patients get relief for 2+years from it though).

I had Botox injections in my jaw and it has helped tremendously. Dental associates of RI on Atwood ave did it for about 600$

I haven't found anyone in RI, I've gotten treatments in Wellesley and North Attleboro. I posted another comment with a link for you.

I would go to the hospital. They usually have everything and if not can point in right direction

Agreed and I’m the meantime get checked at an urgent care if you need pain medication until you can get seen by a specialist.

I went to a chiropractor for TMJ 20 years ago and I found it to be very proactive and have had minimal issues since.

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The treatment was in New Jersey. Maybe your primary physician could help with info.

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The urgent care can also refer you to a specialist

Symmetry dental in Swansea specializes in TMJ. the doctor actually is a researcher into TMJ and bite alignment.

I read r/radiohead as the subreddit and was very confused for a moment.

These weird notifications from subs I have nothing to do with keep getting me. Got me in trouble with my girl when it suggested r/tinder and she thought it was a tinder notification, lol

YMMV. I did a round to help my migraines, TMJ, and tension headaches and it didn't help at all.

They do it in RI - Dental Associates of RI in Johnston

They seem like an amazing provider! Unfortunately, they don’t take any insurance

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New England TMJ Associates in Chestnut Hill, MA. I was referred for sleep apnea/mild TMJ—couldn’t say enough good things about Dr. Dhadwal. Incredibly caring and thoughtful provider with a ton of experience: https://www.newenglandtmj.com/aboutus.html

I went through urgent care to get a referral for both an MRI and to an orthopedic when I hurt my knee last year. Just beware that if your insurance requires referrals for specialists you will need to find a PCP

They take my insurance, Delta Dental.

Did insurance cover this or did you pay out of pocket?

Plus one for Elite PT in general. Worked with them on a shoulder injury a few years ago and hasn’t been a problem since.

Dr NAGER in Warwick (granted she is a dentist) helped me with TMJ and I would definitely recommend. She was super knowledgeable and thorough!

Dry needling fixed my TMJ in two sessions paired with physical therapy. I went to Elite Physical Therapy in Coventry.

Picard dental in Woonsocket offers $50 lidocaine shots that last 48 hours to try (Botox has the same effect my dentist said) Plus they offer Botox for jaw pain!

Out of pocket. I have really good insurance but they still wouldn’t cover a dime. I’ve tried everything, night guards, PT, jaw exercises, nothing worked. The injections helped tremendously

Thanks for responding. Insurance wouldn’t cover a custom mouth guard either so this isn’t surprising.

I’m going to an ENT at the end of the month and my pcp suggested asking them how to get Botox covered by insurance for headaches. Maybe it’s possible (doubt it)? If I find a way, I will follow up on this post.

Edit: for headaches caused by tmj