Elmhurst Dentist Explains What Can Happen when Patients Avoid TMJ Treatment

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Apr 16, 2013

Many patients consider TMJ dysfunction to be an annoyance that they simply have to live with. The truth, however, is that if TMJ disorder is not effectively addressed, your symptoms can intensify over time. Our Elmhurst dentists recommend that all patients contact their dentists if they notice early symptoms of TMJ disorder. The sooner you seek treatment, the less likely it is that you’ll require extensive restorative work to restore jaw alignment. Read on to learn more…


TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joint (the joint that attaches your jaw to your skull) is irritated or damaged.


When patients first develop TMJ disorder, they often suffer from disruptive and annoying symptoms, including:

· A clicking/popping noise when the patient opens and closes the jaw

· A sore, aching jaw

· The feeling of a jaw getting “stuck” when chewing or speaking


Over time these symptoms can intensify and become more difficult to treat. As TMJ disorder progresses, you may suffer from:

· Limited jaw movement—TMJ disorder can make it difficult for patients to open their mouths and especially to move their jaws from side to side.

· Jaw and neck pain—TMJ pain can cause both continual aching pain and throbbing/shooting pains in the jaw, and sometimes radiating down to the neck.

· Dental wear and tear—TMJ disorder often causes patients to suffer from uneven bites, which can cause the teeth to wear down prematurely and unevenly. An uneven bite then further exacerbates TMJ problems.

· Facial swelling around the jaw


The good news is that there are TMJ treatments available that will help you overcome TMJ dysfunction. If you think you may be suffering from TMJ problems, don’t wait to get help. Give our Elmhurst TMJ dentist a call to learn more about TMJ treatment an schedule your personal consultation with our team!