TMJ is a painful and inconvenient disorder where the jaw isn’t aligned properly. It’s twice as common in women. Symptoms are easy to ignore. They aren’t persistent, and many people brush it off as stress. If you think you may be suffering from this, don’t put off TMJ treatment in Chicago. The longer you wait, the worse it will become.
What Causes TMJ?
Many factors can contribute to TMJ. Teeth grinding is a typical cause, as well as a misaligned bite. Both of these keep your teeth from coming together correctly. Over time, this causes stress on the jaw. This is painful, and it can interfere with eating and speaking.
What Can Treatment Do?
TMJ treatments often center around realigning the jaw, so your bite is correct. By realigning your jaw, your dentist is preventing long-term damage. Treatments are often simple, and they can relieve pain in the joint, stop your jaw from locking, relieve headaches, and stop the clicking noise you hear when chewing.
When is TMJ Treatment Recommended?
Your dentist will take X-rays and discuss the pain you are experiencing with you. They’ll recommend a treatment plan when the pain persists, if you can’t fully open your jaw without pain and discomfort, or if you are having trouble chewing, yawning, or talking.
TMJ treatment may include a custom-fit mouth guard or orthodontic treatments. Sometimes it’s as simple as needing a crown to realign your bite. Contact DentArt Chicago, if you need a TMJ treatment in Chicago.
