Elmhurst TMJ Dentist Explains Treatments for TMJ Dysfunction

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Nov 15, 2011

Maintaining oral health is about more than simply keeping sparkling clean teeth and flossing and brushing regularly. As dental health professionals know, oral health can affect your overall wellbeing and health. One common oral dysfunction that often goes undiagnosed is TMJ disorder. Patients suffering from TMJ disorder may experience a variety of ambiguous symptoms that nevertheless negatively affect their lives on a daily basis. The good news is that our Elmhurst TMJ dentists offer treatment options for TMJ dysfunction that can restore optimal functionality and help patients live pain-free.

 

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint—which is the joint that connects the lower joint to the skull. The temporomandibular joint allows you to speak, chew, and move your jaw from side to side. If you’re suffering from TMJ dysfunction, meaning that this jaw is not working properly, you may notice a number of disruptive problems including:

 

Headaches

Jaw popping

Dizziness

Jaw pain and/or swelling

Limited jaw mobility

 

These problems prevent some patients from eating and speaking normally, and TMJ problems can further disrupt sleep quality. Over time TMJ disorder can escalate to permanently hamper jaw and mouth mobility. Additionally, jaw problems can cause uneven wear and tear on dental enamel and contribute to bite misalignment.

 

There are a variety of TMJ treatment options that can help reduce pain and maintain jaw mobility. Our Elmhurst TMJ dentists treat TMJ problems with easy-to-use, comfortable dental appliances. These retainers restore bite balance and jaw alignment, reducing tension, headaches, and jaw soreness. This non-invasive option is largely preferred over drastic surgical treatments.

 

With modern TMJ technology and treatments, there’s no reason that you need to live with disruptive TMJ symptoms. If you or someone you know is suffering from chronic headaches, jaw soreness, bite problems, and pain, give us a call for more information—(630) 733-1624.