During the many years we’ve been in business, the pros at Chicago Dental Arts have seen patients with all kinds of mouth issues. If you’ve been considering visiting a Chicago dentist for any kind of oral pain, you may be surprised to know that a lot of symptoms have one underlying cause. A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) could be the culprit if you’re suffering from any of the following symptoms:
- Painful Jaw
- Popping or Locking of the Jaw
- Painful or Difficult Chewing
- Tooth Pain (that often fades as the day progresses)
- Headaches
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its surrounding muscles can become inflamed for a number of reasons, and the symptoms are wide-ranging. Sometimes it becomes agitated because of nighttime grinding. If this is the case, you may wake up in the morning with a sore jaw and other symptoms that dissipate as the day goes on. Clenching during stressful situations, traumatic injury, and having an improper bite may also cause TMJ-related pain. There are also times when the root cause of a temporomandibular disorder cannot be determined.
Pain-Free Dental Procedures Can Settle TMJ Pain
Whether you choose a Skokie dentist, a Western Springs dentist, or someone in our Chicago office, Chicago Dental Arts can help calm your TMJ issues. If you suffer from nighttime grinding, also called bruxism, we can provide you with a custom-made night guard that will protect your teeth from undue pressure and alleviate symptoms. We also offer Botox, which can enable you to live pain-free for as long as four months from a single session. A night guard is essential for people with bruxism, because it prevents problems from developing, but Botox can be used for immediate relief as well. It’s the ideal treatment for TMJ sufferers, regardless of whether the issues are caused by bruxism, stress, or unknown causes.
Oftentimes, patients avoid the dentist when they can’t open their mouth for an extended period of time, which can lead to other dental worries, like cavities. Bruxism can also lead to premature wear, broken teeth, and decay. To help make these visits more comfortable, we offer WaterLase. This innovative technology does away with the need for traditional needles and dental drills, so you can get the treatment you need in a relaxing environment.
If you think a temporomandibular disorder could be the root of your mouth pain, one of our experienced dentists can help. Chicago Dental Arts offers full diagnostic services and will work with you to come up with a treatment plan to help you live a pain-free life. Please contact us and schedule your evaluation today.
