TMJ, or temporomandibular joints, are the joints at the top of your jaw that are responsible for helping you chew, swallow, and speak. As you can imagine, temporomandibular joints are very important and used daily, and because of that, you may develop jaw pain and headaches if the joints or muscles become sore.
This pain is due to TMJ disorders, and they can make eating or speaking difficult or incredibly uncomfortable. TMJ disorders can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Injury
- Jaw alignment
- Bruxism
- Dislocation
- Arthritis
Other symptoms of TMJ disorders beyond jaw pain alone are:
- Jaw stiffness
- Locking jaw
- Popping or clicking jaw
- Pain when opening or closing mouth
- Headaches
- Inability to line up jaw properly
- Tired facial muscles
If your muscles, ligaments, and joints are continuously disrupted or painful, you may have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which should also be treated right away.
Exams and Treatments
If you are experiencing jaw pain or any of the other symptoms listed above, you may be suffering from a TMJ disorder. Dr. Ema at Printers Row Dental Studio can perform an examination of your joints and muscles to check for any popping, difficulties with mobility, or tenderness which may point to the disorder and recommend treatment options to lessen daily pain.
If you have been previously diagnosed with TMJ disorder by another doctor or dentist, Dr. Ema will continue to work closely with you to either develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan or to continue the treatment you’ve been following. Each method of treatment is centered around treating your pain and treating the root cause of your TMD.
Night guards are recommended because they help patients avoid the extra tension of teeth grinding or clenching. Occlusal splints are also a recommended treatment because they are worn over the teeth like a mouth guard and change how you bite, so they can help relieve pain.
Botox®
Botox® is another viable treatment option for TMJ disorders. Because Botox® injections numb the nerves in the muscles and stop them from contracting, this treatment will help block the pain felt in the jaw muscles and joints affected by TMJ disorders. Dr. Ema and her team are trained to use Botox® on patients to ease their pain.
Call us today at (312) 435-0411.
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