TMJ Therapy West Loop Chicago
Stop Chronic Jaw Pain with Targeted Treatment
When it comes to your oral health, the teeth and gums are incredibly important. However, dentists also care about other areas related to your mouth, including your jaw and jaw joints. For example, chronic jaw pain is certainly not something you should have to live with, especially if the issue can be resolved with TMJ therapy in our West Loop Chicago dental office. If this is the first time you’re hearing about this treatment approach or you’re suffering with chronic jaw pain and aren’t sure where to turn, give Washington Dental Care a call!
Why Choose Washington Dental Care for TMJ Therapy?
- Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment
- Highly Customized Occlusal Splints
- Utilizes CBCT Scanner and Digital Impression Technology
What is TMJ?
When dentists talk about the TMJ, they are specifically referring to the temporomandibular joint. This refers to the two joints that attach the mandible (or the lower jaw) to the skull. These joints are responsible for not only making it easy to chew, but several other complex jaw motions. TMD refers to temporomandibular joint disorder, a condition where excessive stress is applied to the joints. This results in symptoms like chronic jaw pain, difficulty opening the mouth, lockjaw, clicking and popping of the jaw joints, and even headaches, migraines, and shoulder/upper back pain.
Equilibration/Occlusal Adjustments
One common cause of TMD is an uneven bite, also known as a malocclusion. In order to fix this, slight modifications can be made to teeth to ensure the bite comes together properly, especially when chewing. A common approach to equilibration and occlusal adjustments includes reviewing any existing restorations previously placed and making sure they are seated properly as well as placing new restorations if necessary. Our CBCT scanner can help us determine the precise cause of your chronic pain, then create a treatment plan from there.
Occlusal Splints
Another common approach to managing TMD is creating a custom-made oral appliance designed to shift the position of the jaw as well as protect teeth from future damage caused by common habits related to TMD (including teeth grinding and clenching). These appliances are designed from a digital impression we capture of your mouth in our dental office. Occlusal splints are generally worn while sleeping as this is when most teeth grinding and clenching occurs.
