Are you suffering from migraines, frequent headaches, jaw pain, or an aching pain in your face? These symptoms could be tell-tale signs of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also known as TMJ or TMD. This condition can make chewing, talking, and other daily activities painful and difficult.
Smiles of Aurora is proud to offer top TMJ treatment in Aurora, IL and beyond, with a variety of treatment options to combat TMJ symptoms. Stop suffering from headaches and jaw pain! Dr. Goetz is here to perform a complete evaluation of your jaw and mouth to determine the best treatment options for you.
What Is TMJ?
TMJ is a common abbreviation for the Temporomandibular Joint which connects your lower jawbone to the base of your skull. A series of complex muscles, joint pads and tendons help move and protect this joint while it is in motion.
Because this joint is one of the most frequently used joints in the human body, when it becomes inflamed, it can be extremely painful.
Symptoms vary, but generally can include:
- Headaches
- Pain and tenderness around the jaw, ears, cheeks and neck
- Migraines
- Stiffness in the jaw
- Earaches
- Painful chewing
- Pain while yawning
- Locking of the jaw
- Uncontrolled change of facial expression
- Changes in how the upper and lower teeth fit together
What Causes TMJ?
Many things can contribute to the development of TMJ. Stress can be a factor, as well as any repetitive movement or habit that causes tension in the jaw and surrounding muscle groups.
A few common causes can be:
- Grinding teeth or clenching your jaw (also referred to as bruxism)
- Injury to the neck or jaw from a trauma such as an auto accident
- Improper bite alignment
- Arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Dislocation or erosion of the joint
How Can TMJ Treatment Help?
There are several ways TMJ treatment can help manage this disorder. At Smiles of Aurora, our doctors frequently use customized TMJ mouth guards to alleviate symptoms.
Mouth guards are worn while you sleep and are designed to yield the following benefits:
- Reduced shoulder and neck pain
- Minimized lockjaw symptoms
- Reduced jaw discomfort when talking, chewing or yawning
- Alleviation of headaches caused by bruxism
- Reduction in jaw tension
- Reduction in teeth grinding
Most normal functions of the jaw such as biting, swallowing and speaking are left unaffected by the TMJ treatment. The only change is a reduction in the pain and discomfort TMJ disorder can bring.
Schedule Your TMJ Treatment Consultation With Smiles of Aurora Today!
If you’re suffering from symptoms of TMJ, give our local Aurora office a call. A simple consultation with our dentists will help determine if TMJ treatment could ease your discomfort.
