TMJ doctors in Amarillo, TX
6 published clinics and 10 attached clinicians in Amarillo. Clinicians are listed on the clinic page only. An NPI taxonomy is not proof of TMJ services or board certification.
Listed ZIP codes: 79119, 79106. Nearby cities: Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Odessa.
Not in Amarillo? Find TMJ clinics near you →
Listings come from the federal NPI registry and clinic websites. How listings are verified →
What a TMJ provider does in Amarillo
Amarillo, Texas. It sits in the Southwest. The directory lists 6 organisations and 10 clinicians in Amarillo — 16 records in total, and has a short list. The commonest NPI taxonomy here is linked-provider records, on 4 records. Oral and maxillofacial surgery covers another 2. 79119 alone holds 5 of them. The temporomandibular joint is the hinge where the lower jaw meets the skull, with a cartilage disc between the bones and the closing muscles attached to the mandible. Jaw pain, clicking and locking usually come from that joint or those muscles rather than from the teeth themselves. Providers who treat it in Amarillo work out of practices listed in this city, and the taxonomy on the registry record is the only specialisation the registry itself records.
How to use the Amarillo list
Every entry below is an organisation in the federal NPI registry, carrying the address and phone number the registry holds. The listings cover 2 ZIP codes in Amarillo. The rest are spread across 1 other ZIP codes in the city. Every listed organisation on this page has at least one clinician attached in the registry, so you can see a name before you call. Every listing here carries a phone number from the federal registry. 5 listings carry published opening hours. 6 listings have coordinates on file, so every entries appear on the map. 5 listings publish a website address, printed as plain text rather than a link so the directory does not sell traffic. A clinician appears under an organisation only when the registry points the same phone, street, ZIP or name at both records. That is a registry match, not a verified employment history.
What to ask when you call an Amarillo office
The registry records what an organisation is, not what it treats, so one phone call settles most questions. Ask whether the practice sees jaw joint and orofacial pain problems, whether they take patients referred for a TMJ assessment, and what a first visit involves. With 10 clinicians attached to Amarillo records, you can name the person you are asking about before you call. Ask about insurance before you go: TMJ treatment runs through dental, medical and surgical routes, and Texas coverage follows the plan rather than the procedure. If the office says it does not treat TMJ disorders, the state page still lists every Texas organisation, and the near-me finder works from your own location or a ZIP code.
Amarillo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants
5051 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX, 79119 · 806-353-1055
- Christopher Atkins — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
- Luis Gonzalez Aguilar — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
High Plains Oral And Facial Surgeons PA
1900 S Coulter St, Suite J, Amarillo, TX, 79106 · 806-358-7066
- Larry Chesley — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
- Martin Salgueiro — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
- Rhys Strasia — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
- John Whinery — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
Lonestar Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Amarillo
7473 Pennsylvania Drive Suite 300, Amarillo, TX, 79119 · 806-398-7228
- Daniel Ripperger — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
Panhandle Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, PLLC
4905 Lexington Sq, Amarillo, TX, 79119 · 806-367-9990
- Bryan Bailey — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES lists the same phone, full street, and ZIP for this person and this organization. That is a shared registry address, not confirmation that the person works at the clinic. Source: nppes:2026-11-08T06:53:26.)
Paul Wilkinson, DMD, MD
5051 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX, 79119 · 806-353-1055
- Paul Wilkinson — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES records the same phone, street, and ZIP, and the organization name contains this person's last name. This is a registry match, not a separate employment check. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
William E. Graves, DMD
5051 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX, 79119 · 806-353-1055
- William Graves — Dentist – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (NPPES records the same phone, street, and ZIP, and the organization name contains this person's last name. This is a registry match, not a separate employment check. Source: gmaps:2026-11-08+nppes.)
Other cities
How many published clinics are in Amarillo?
6 organization clinics and 10 attached clinicians are published for Amarillo. A clinician is counted once even if more than one record points at the same person.
Does a taxonomy label mean the clinic treats TMJ disorders?
No. The NPI taxonomy is self-reported. It does not prove which conditions a clinic treats, and it is not board certification.
Quick answer
A "TMJ doctor or orofacial pain provider amarillo" search usually points to clinicians who diagnose and treat temporomandibular disorders, or TMDs. TMD is a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that move it. The directory lists 10 Amarillo providers under the oral & maxillofacial surgery taxonomy and 0 under orofacial pain, covering ZIP codes 79106 and 79119. Conservative care usually comes first.
What Does a TMJ Doctor in Amarillo Do?
Dentistry has no recognized credential under that name. The National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards recognizes 12 dental specialties, including Orofacial Pain, which covers pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head and neck, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which covers surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the oral and facial region.
In the Amarillo directory, all 10 listings fall under the oral & maxillofacial surgery taxonomy, and none uses the orofacial pain taxonomy (0). The labels come from the federal NPI registry and are self-reported, not proof of certification or training. If the titles confuse you, it may help to read what a TMJ doctor is actually called, then ask the office how the clinician handles jaw problems.
TMJ Care Options Listed in Amarillo
Compared with surgery, most TMD care starts conservatively. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes that symptoms often go away on their own and recommends starting with non-surgical steps such as soft foods, NSAID pain relievers, heat or cold with jaw exercises, and cutting habits like gum chewing or clenching. Physical therapy with manual therapy may also help some people move and feel better.
The table below shows five of the ten Amarillo listings in the directory:
| Name | Specialty (NPPES taxonomy) | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Bailey, DDS | Oral & maxillofacial surgery | 79119 |
| Christopher Atkins, DDS, MD | Oral & maxillofacial surgery | 79119 |
| John Whinery, DDS | Oral & maxillofacial surgery | 79106 |
| Larry Chesley, DDS | Oral & maxillofacial surgery | 79106 |
| Paul Wilkinson, DMD, MD | Oral & maxillofacial surgery | 79119 |
Oral and maxillofacial surgery providers may offer arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, or, in limited situations, TMJ implants or open surgery. Federal guidance lists surgery only when joint destruction cannot be fixed by other procedures, or when severe pain or mouth-opening problems persist despite other treatments. A TMJ dentist in Amarillo may also fit splints or night guards for clenching.
How to Choose a TMJ Doctor in Amarillo
- Start with a dental or medical exam. TMD is usually diagnosed from your history and a jaw exam, not one standard test.
- Ask which conservative options come first, such as soft foods, exercises, physical therapy, or medication.
- Ask whether any appliance is meant to change your bite permanently. Federal guidance advises against treatments that permanently alter the teeth, bite or jaw joints as a first step.
- If surgery is suggested, ask how it would help your specific condition, what the risks are, and what alternatives exist. A second opinion is reasonable.
- Ask how claims are billed, since some TMJ care is filed as medical care and some as dental care, which changes what your plan pays.
- Compare other cities on the Texas directory hub if you want more options than the Amarillo listings alone.
What to Expect at a First TMJ Visit
There is no widely accepted standard test for TMDs, so the first appointment is mostly a conversation and an exam. A clinician will take a history of when the pain started, where it spreads, and what makes it better or worse, then examine your head, neck and jaw for tenderness, clicking or limited movement. Imaging such as x-rays, MRI or CT may be suggested if the diagnosis is in doubt or another condition must be ruled out. The visit usually ends with a plan that starts conservative, with follow-up to track symptoms.
Insurance and Cost Questions in Texas
Under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1360, a health benefit plan that covers medically necessary diagnostic or surgical treatment of other skeletal joints must provide comparable coverage for TMJ treatment that is medically necessary because of an accident, trauma, a congenital or developmental defect, or a pathology. The chapter does not require dental coverage a plan otherwise lacks, and workers' compensation and Medicare supplemental policies fall outside it.
Ask your insurer whether your TMJ care is filed as medical or dental and what documentation they require. Costs vary with the type of treatment, imaging, anesthesia and facility charges, so ask for a written estimate before elective procedures. Original Medicare, in most cases, does not cover dental services; it may cover some dental work during an inpatient hospital stay or when the service is directly tied to certain covered medical treatment.
Cities Near Amarillo With TMJ Listings
Amarillo's 10 listings may not fit every need, especially conservative orofacial pain care, which shows 0 listings here. Nearby Texas cities on the directory include Lubbock (see TMJ doctors in Lubbock), Abilene with 6, Odessa with 5, Wichita Falls with 5, and Midland with 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many providers does the directory list for TMJ care in Amarillo?
The snapshot lists 10 providers for Amarillo, all under the oral & maxillofacial surgery taxonomy, across 2 ZIP codes: 79106 and 79119. None is listed under the orofacial pain dentist taxonomy, and the labels are self-reported entries in the federal NPI registry.
Is there an official "TMJ specialist" credential?
No recognized credential uses that name. Dentistry recognizes 12 specialties, including Orofacial Pain and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and clinicians treating jaw disorders usually practice under one of those labels. Ask any provider which specialty applies to their TMD work.
Does Medicare cover TMJ treatment?
In most cases Medicare does not cover dental services. It may cover some dental services during a hospital inpatient stay or when the service is directly related to certain covered medical treatments. Ask before scheduling.
Do Texas insurance plans have to cover TMJ treatment?
Sometimes. Chapter 1360 of the Texas Insurance Code requires comparable coverage for medically necessary TMJ diagnostic or surgical treatment when the plan covers other skeletal joints and the TMJ condition stems from an accident, trauma, congenital or developmental defect, or pathology. Plans can apply routine rules like precertification, and dental-only benefits are not required.
Are jaw clicks and pops normal?
Yes. Clicking or popping without pain is common in the jaw joints and is considered normal, so it usually does not need treatment. Painful clicking, grating, locking, or a change in how your teeth fit together may signal a TMD, and a clinician can check which applies to you.
When is jaw pain an emergency?
Get prompt medical or emergency care if your jaw locks open or shut, if you have facial swelling with fever, or if numbness, recent injury, or chest pain accompanies the jaw pain. These signs can point to problems beyond TMD that should not wait for a dental appointment.
References
- TMD | NIDCR — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH)
- Temporomandibular Disorders: Rapid Evidence Review — American Academy of Family Physicians
- Recognized Dental Specialties — National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
- Texas Insurance Code Section 1360.004 – Coverage Required — Texas.Statutes via texas.public.law
- Texas Insurance Code Section 1360.005 – Dental Services Coverage Not Required — Texas.Statutes via texas.public.law
- Texas Insurance Code Section 1360.003 – Exception — Texas.Statutes via texas.public.law
- Dental service coverage — Medicare.gov (CMS)
Medical disclaimer
This page is general information and not medical advice. It cannot replace an examination by a qualified clinician; discuss your jaw symptoms with a licensed provider.
Reviewed by the tmjspecialistguide.com editorial team · Last updated 2026-11-01.