If you clench or grind your teeth on a regular basis, chances are you have bruxism. Teeth clenching and grinding are common symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). This painful dental problem can affect the health and comfort of your teeth and jaw. Often, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening, or even losing your teeth. If you’re a chronic grinder, you may wear your teeth significantly, resulting in aesthetic problems and, even more, changes in facial profile. Advanced Laser & Cosmetic Dentistry provides TMJ treatment in Crystal Lake and Carpentersville, IL. As a restorative dentistry service, TMJ treatment can help repair the damage caused by bruxism to restore your bite function and comfort.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This joint connects your jaw to your skull. It allows you to talk, chew, and yawn. TMJ disorders can cause pain and discomfort. The temporomandibular joint functions like a sliding hinge. It consists of bones, muscles, and ligaments. When any part of this system malfunctions, it can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). These disorders can affect one or both sides of your face.
Causes and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
Several factors can lead to TMJ disorders. Common causes include:
- Jaw injury: Trauma to the jaw can damage the joint.
- Arthritis: Arthritis can wear down the joint’s cartilage.
- Teeth grinding: Chronic grinding or clenching can strain the joint.
- Stress: Stress can cause muscle tension in the jaw.
- Misaligned bite: An improper bite can put pressure on the joint.
Jaw injuries can occur from accidents, falls, or sports-related incidents. Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can deteriorate the cartilage that cushions the TMJ. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, often happens during sleep and can go unnoticed for years. Stress can lead to habits like clenching the jaw or grinding teeth, which can exacerbate TMJ issues. A misaligned bite, also known as malocclusion, can cause uneven pressure on the TMJ, leading to discomfort and pain.
TMJ disorders can cause many symptoms. These may include:
- Jaw pain: Pain in the jaw joint or muscles.
- Headaches: Frequent headaches, often resembling migraines.
- Earaches: Pain in or around the ears.
- Clicking sounds: Clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth.
- Difficulty chewing: Trouble or discomfort while chewing.
Jaw pain can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Headaches associated with TMJ disorders can be persistent and can affect daily activities. Earaches can occur without any ear infection, making it hard to pinpoint the cause. Clicking and popping sounds in the jaw can be alarming and uncomfortable. Difficulty chewing can lead to changes in diet and nutrition, as individuals may avoid certain foods that are hard to chew.
Diagnosing TMJ Disorders
Our team can diagnose TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders by carefully checking your jaw and asking about your symptoms. The process starts with a simple conversation. We’ll ask if you’ve been feeling pain in your jaw, hearing popping or clicking sounds, or having trouble opening and closing your mouth.
We will gently check how your jaw moves. We may ask you to open and close your mouth, move your jaw from side to side, and bite down. Our team will listen for any clicking, popping, or grinding sounds and feel the area around your jaw to see if there’s any tenderness or tightness.
Sometimes, we may take X-rays or MRIs. X-rays help us see the bones in your jaw and teeth to find out if something is out of place or damaged. An MRI provides a closer look at the soft tissues, such as the muscles and the disc inside the jaw joint.
Treatment Options for TMJ Disorders
Advanced Laser & Cosmetic Dentistry offers several ways to treat TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, also called TMD. The right treatment depends on how serious your symptoms are. In many cases, simple and non-invasive treatments can help relieve pain and improve jaw movement.
Night Guard
A night guard is a custom-made mouthpiece you wear while sleeping. It helps prevent teeth grinding and reduces pressure on your jaw joints. Night guards can also help your jaw muscles relax overnight, which may lessen pain and stiffness in the morning. Our dentists work with local dental labs to create custom TMJ night guards to protect your teeth.
Medication
Medicines can also help manage TMJ pain. For mild pain, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may work well. These help reduce swelling and discomfort. If the pain is more severe, we may prescribe stronger medications.
Anti-inflammatory drugs can ease jaw joint swelling. We may also recommend muscle relaxants if your jaw muscles are very tight. Taking muscle relaxants before bed can also lessen nightly teeth grinding.
Surgery
Surgery is only considered when other treatments haven’t worked and the TMJ problem is very serious. This might include cases where the jaw joint is damaged or out of place. While we do not perform oral surgery in-office, we can refer you to a trusted local oral surgeon for further care.
Benefits of TMJ Treatment
Treatment can significantly reduce pain. This allows you to enjoy daily activities. Pain relief can improve your ability to eat, speak, and engage in social activities. It can also reduce the need for pain medications, which can have side effects.
Proper treatment can restore normal jaw movement to make it easier for you to chew and talk. Improved jaw function can also reduce the risk of further damage to the joint. It can enhance your ability to enjoy a wider variety of foods and contribute to better nutrition.
Reducing TMJ pain can also improve sleep. You will wake up feeling more rested. Better sleep can lead to improved mood, concentration, and overall health. It can also reduce the risk of developing sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
Overall, treatment can enhance your quality of life. You will feel more comfortable and less stressed. Reduced pain and improved function can make everyday tasks more manageable. You will be able to participate in activities you enjoy without discomfort.
Schedule a TMJ Consultation
Do you have morning headaches or jaw pain? Get TMJ treatment in Carpentersville and Crystal Lake, IL. Call Advanced Laser and Cosmetic Dentistry today at 779-244-6264. You can also request an appointment online.