Do you have pain when you chew or yawn? It could result from TMJ disorder, which can be incredibly painful and frustrating. Millions of people suffer from TMJ pain, but the good news is that we can help. Dr. Nicholas P. Primiano and Dr. Diane M. Mach offer TMJ Therapy in Naperville. We are dedicated to helping you find relief and keeping your TMJ in great shape to chew, talk, and even yawn correctly and easily.
What is TMJ?
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint and hinge that joins your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. You have two of them, one on each side of your face, and they work together so that you can move your jaw up and down and side to side. When you have a problem with your TMJ, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
Many different things can cause TMJ disorders. In some cases, it’s due to an injury or dislocation of the jaw. Arthritis is another common cause. It can be caused by clenching or grinding your teeth, and stress can contribute to TMJ disorders. There may also be problems with the jaw muscles.
What are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?
Many different symptoms can be associated with TMJ disorder. Pain is the most common symptom, but you may have headaches or migraines. You may have pain in your jaw, face, neck, or ears. You may also have a clicking or popping sound when you move your jaw. You may have difficulty chewing or yawning.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out to us as soon as possible. We can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your pain and develop a treatment plan to help you find relief.
What is TMJ Therapy?
We design TMJ therapy to help you find relief from your TMJ pain. It can involve several different treatments, depending on the underlying cause of your pain.
TMJ Therapy can include:
Lifestyle changes.
We may recommend lifestyle changes in some cases, such as avoiding chewy or hard foods.
Stretches and exercises.
We may also recommend exercises or stretches to help improve the function of your TMJ. Our TMJ Therapist can probe and monitor your jaw and facial muscles while performing these stretches. Monitoring helps pinpoint tightness, clicking sounds, and pain and determines the best stretching techniques.
Night guard or splint.
If your pain is due to clenching or grinding your teeth, we may recommend a night guard or splint to help protect your teeth. A night guard is a soft, plastic dental appliance you can wear in your mouth to cover the upper and lower teeth while you sleep or sometimes during the day. It prevents the tooth rows from touching each other, so you can’t grind them.
Medications.
We may also recommend medications to help relieve your pain and soothe inflammation. Remedies could include over-the-counter pain relievers or more potent prescription medications if necessary.
Dental work.
We can perform dental work as part of your TMJ therapy in some cases. Dental work may include replacing missing teeth or bite adjustments with crowns and bridges. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals.
TMJ Relief in Naperville
We want to help you get your life back on track. We offer a variety of treatments that can heal your TMJ and keep it in great shape. You’ll be able to chew, talk, and yawn like normal again in no time – and Naperville Family Dentists will ensure it stays that way.
Schedule an appointment today.