Dentist Prineville, OR
Convenient Access from Prineville
Third Street to Third Street: that is the trip from downtown Prineville to Bend Family Dentistry, roughly 46 minutes west and south across the high desert. Patients who have tried to find a dentist in Prineville, OR, for jaw pain, grinding or a smile makeover will find our Third Street office in northeast Bend, where six general dentists provide TMD treatment alongside everyday care. Prineville is the seat of Crook County, and US 26 and OR 126 meet in town.
From Prineville City Hall, take NE Dunham Street to NE 3rd Street (US 26) and head west through downtown, where it continues as OR 126, the Ochoco Highway. Follow OR 126 about 17 miles west through Powell Butte into Redmond, where it runs along SE Evergreen Avenue to US 97. Turn south, stay on the highway as it becomes the Bend Parkway, take the Butler Market Road exit and turn right, then turn left onto NE 3rd Street to reach 660 NE 3rd St Ste 3, between NE Franklin Ave and NE Hawthorne Ave. The full drive is 35.5 miles with no tolls; save our Google Maps listing for the trip.
Commute traffic through Redmond and on the Parkway is heaviest at rush hour, so a mid-morning or early-afternoon visit usually moves faster. Neighbors in Powell Butte sit right on the way, and Redmond patients join the same route at US 97.
A Long Drive Deserves a Well-Planned Visit
Prineville grew up on the Crooked River at the mouth of Ochoco Creek. The town was named for early merchant Barney Prine and incorporated in 1880, and its 1909 Crook County Courthouse, with a clock tower holding a 1907 clock, still anchors downtown on Third Street. The Bowman Museum nearby tells the county's story, and the City of Prineville site covers parks such as the Crooked River Wetlands Complex.
Today the local economy mixes large data centers with the hometown of Les Schwab Tire Centers, founded here in 1952. Plenty of Prineville workers keep tight schedules, which makes a dental visit that accomplishes several things at once especially valuable. Our dentists plan treatment so that an exam, a cleaning and any needed follow-up are mapped out clearly from the first appointment.
Free time here often means getting outdoors. Prineville Reservoir State Park, about 14 miles southeast of town behind Bowman Dam, was announced in 2021 as Oregon's first IDA Dark Sky Place. Time outdoors brings the occasional fall or bump, and a chipped or loosened tooth from a day outside is worth having checked promptly rather than waiting for the next routine visit.
Our hours fit that kind of planning. The office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays we start at 7:00 AM and close at 2:00 PM. Early Friday visits leave the rest of the day for work or the drive home.
Jaw Pain, Grinding and TMD: What Prineville Patients Should Know
The temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, and when they are strained the effects can reach well beyond the mouth. TMD symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping, headaches, ear symptoms and limited movement when opening or chewing. Many people live with these signs for months before connecting them to the jaw.
Causes vary from person to person. Grinding or clenching, an old injury, arthritis, bite problems, stress and even posture can all play a part. Diagnosis starts with your history and an exam, and our dentists may add digital x-rays or 3D scans if necessary to see what is happening inside the joint.
Treatment is usually conservative. Custom nightguards protect the teeth from nighttime grinding, oral splints help the jaw rest in a better position, and bite adjustments can relieve uneven pressure. Stress-management techniques, jaw exercises and small lifestyle changes round out the plan, and TMD care is part of what our Third Street office offers.
Not every sore jaw means TMD. A cracked tooth, an infected molar or gum inflammation can produce similar aches, which is why a thorough exam comes first. Our patient FAQs also answer common questions about sensitive teeth and bleeding gums.
Services for Anyone Choosing a Dentist in Prineville, OR
TMD Treatment
Custom nightguards, oral splints, bite adjustments and jaw exercises address pain, clicking and headaches linked to the jaw joint. Each Prineville patient's plan starts with a careful history and exam.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Bonding fixes chips, discoloration and misshapen teeth, professional whitening brightens stained enamel, and porcelain veneers reshape the front of the smile. Grinding damage often makes cosmetic repair part of a TMD plan.
Preventative Dentistry
Cleanings, exams and digital x-rays watch for decay, gum disease, oral cancer and the worn edges that signal grinding. Sealants add protection for children's back teeth.
Dental Implants
When a tooth is lost, a titanium post integrates with the jawbone to support a natural-looking replacement. Neighboring teeth stay untouched, unlike with a traditional bridge.
Invisalign®
Clear, removable aligners straighten teeth for teens and adults and can improve how the bite comes together. Treatment is planned with advanced 3D imaging and averages about 12 to 18 months.
Combining services is often where a longer drive pays off. A patient whose grinding has chipped a front tooth might leave one visit with a nightguard plan and a bonding appointment already booked. Our dentists explain the order that makes sense, which steps are urgent and which can wait, so each trip from Prineville has a clear purpose.
Meet Your Third Street Dentists
Our team of six includes Dr. Brad Hester, DMD, and Dr. Haley Van Volkenburg. Dr. Hester earned his D.M.D. at Oregon Health and Science University and has trained in TMJ care with Dr. Clayton Chan and in reconstructive dentistry through the Dawson and Pankey Institutes. Dr. Van Volkenburg co-founded a Women in Dentistry Club and belongs to the ADA, the Oregon Dental Association and the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry.
Insurance & Financing
Dedicated insurance staff help you understand your benefits, process claims with a multitude of providers and explain likely coverage before treatment begins. CareCredit financing covers procedures insurance does not, or care for patients without insurance. All major credit cards, cash and checks are welcome.
“Everyone is absolutely wonderful here! I trust all of the high quality dentists and team! You cannot go wrong by going to Bend Family Dentistry for all of your dental needs! From young to old, they will take great care of you!”
Theresa S.
“The doctor was very impressive. She knows how to do good crown work! She takes quality seriously and excels at making the patient feel satisfied.”
Lauren V.
“I really enjoy coming to this place to get my teeth cleaned. My second time back. Hygienist was great, thorough, and friendly”
Mike L.
“The team is very professional and skilled. They are timely and the remodel is efficient and beautiful. I feel confident with the care I receive.”
Andrea C.
“These guys know their business! From a simple filling to serious bridge work, they can handle it all. Very professional. Highest recommendation!”
Mark C.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Bend Family Dentistry from Prineville, and how do I get there?
It is 35.5 miles from Prineville City Hall to our office, about a 46-minute drive. The route follows US 26 and OR 126 west through Powell Butte to Redmond, then US 97 and the Bend Parkway south to Butler Market Road and NE 3rd Street. Anyone weighing a dentist in Prineville, OR, against the drive to Bend will find us at 660 NE 3rd St Ste 3.
What causes jaw clicking and popping?
Clicking or popping usually means the jaw joint is not moving smoothly. Common causes include grinding or clenching, an old injury, arthritis, bite problems and stress that keeps the jaw muscles tight. Occasional clicking without pain may not need treatment, but clicking with pain, headaches or limited opening is worth an exam to check for TMD.
How is TMD diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a conversation about your symptoms and history, followed by an exam of the jaw joints, muscles, teeth and bite. Our dentists check how your jaw opens, closes and moves side to side. If necessary, digital x-rays or 3D scans give a clearer view of the joint before a treatment plan is recommended.
Why are my teeth sensitive to cold?
Cold sensitivity usually means the inner layer of the tooth is exposed or irritated. Worn enamel, receding gums, a cavity, a cracked tooth or a leaking filling can all let cold reach the nerve. Grinding is a frequent culprit because it wears enamel down. An exam finds the cause so the right fix, from a filling to a nightguard, can follow.
Can missing teeth affect my bite and jaw?
Yes, they can. When a tooth is lost, neighboring teeth may drift or tip into the gap and the opposing tooth can shift, which changes how your teeth meet. An uneven bite puts extra strain on certain teeth and on the jaw joints. Replacing the tooth, for example with a dental implant, helps keep the bite stable.
Schedule Your Visit from Prineville
Whether your jaw aches each morning or you have been searching for a dentist in Prineville, OR, for routine family care, our Third Street office is ready to help. Call (541) 876-1573 or request an appointment online. Find more nearby communities on our areas we serve page, or visit the Dentist Bend, OR homepage.