TMJ Relief in Evanston, Illinois

Contact Stephens Dentistry for TMJ Treatment in Evanston

Temporomandibular joint disorder – commonly known as TMJ – is a condition affecting millions of Americans. In fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that possibly as many as 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ.

Briefly explained, TMJ is a condition in which patients suffer various symptoms related to the movement of their jaws. All of us have two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of the face that connect our jaw to our skull. These tiny but crucial joints work like hinges, allowing your jaws to move up and down, side to side, and back and forth.

This constant daily movement means that every hour of every day these jaw joints experience a lot of stress and wear as we eat, drink, talk, and even yawn. And that movement and stress sometimes lead to this painful muscle and joint disorder clinically known as temporomandibular joint disorder, or just TMJ for short.

Possible Causes of TMJ

The exact cause of TMJ can sometimes be difficult to determine, but possible risk factors and causes include

• Trauma from a blow, accident, or sports injury.
• An unbalanced bite caused by underdeveloped jaws.
• Some behaviors that are often brought on by stress such as teeth grinding or clenching — known as bruxism.
• Obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
• Joint and muscle disorders or connective tissue disorders.
• Certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of TMJ

The symptoms of TMJ can vary from patient to patient and from mild to intense. Some of the more common TMJ symptoms include

• Jaw pain and tenderness in the jaw.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both of the temporomandibular joints.
• An aching pain in or around the ear, or a feeling that your ear is stuffed or full.
• Pain when chewing or having difficulty chewing.
• Muscle tension or spasms.
• Frequent headaches or migraines.
• Back or neck pain.
• Tingling in the arms and upper back.
• Locking of the temporomandibular joint and difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
• A clicking, popping or grating sound when you open and close your mouth or yawn.

TMJ Treatment at Stephens Dentistry

At Stephens Dentistry we offer advanced treatment options for TMJ that other dental practices may not provide. At your initial appointment, one of our dentists will perform a comprehensive exam to determine if you’re suffering from TMJ. If that is indeed the source of your discomfort, we can prescribe a treatment plan for both your immediate and long-term relief.

With the many treatment options that modern dentistry now provides, there’s no reason to suffer from long-term temporomandibular joint pain, and we urge you not to delay treatment. Contact us today at Stephens Dentistry to schedule your initial consultation.