There may be days when your jaw just doesn’t feel right. For example, it starts popping or locking, or perhaps you experience discomfort near your ears when you’re speaking or chewing.
Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are increasing in the United States. According to some estimates, from 20%–40% of Americans are believed to suffer from the symptoms just mentioned or others such as facial pain, neck pain, dizziness or an uncomfortable bite.
If you live in Elmhurst (IL) and contend with any of these symptoms, it’s possible you could have a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). The TMJ & Facial Pain Treatment Center diagnoses and treats TMJD and facial pain for Elmhurst residents.
Elmhurst (IL): What Is a TMJD?
The temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the bone at the side of your head (temporal bone). It allows your mouth to perform daily actions such as talk, chew and yawn.
To locate the joints, place your fingers just in front of your ears and then open your mouth – you’ll feel the joints moving. You might also note how flexible they are. When the TMJ is injured or damaged, it can develop into a TMJD that can cause pain and difficult joint function.
Elmhurst (IL): What Are the Causes of TMJD?
TMJD can result from what we refer to as macro trauma and micro trauma.
Macro trauma can include an injury to the head, face or jaw and result in TMJD either right away or years later.
Micro trauma can involve bruxism (grinding) or clenching of teeth as the main cause of TMJD or a secondary cause related to another problem such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Testing & Diagnosis for Elmhurst (IL) Patients
At TMJ & Facial Pain Treatment Center, we use a symptom-based approach to diagnosis that consists of a detailed and extensive differential process enabling successful treatment. This approach ensures we both resolve your symptoms and determine their original source.
Many of our Elmhurst TMJ patients are referred by a dentist, physician or specialist. We also support those who either self-diagnose a TMJ problem or seek a definitive diagnosis after visiting other healthcare professionals.
To define the origins of your TMJ-related discomfort, we use joint-specific examination and testing, including MRI imaging, for an accurate diagnosis. This also will eliminate other possibilities that could be suggesting themselves as pain sources.
Further diagnostic testing includes extensive muscle examination of the head and neck, orthopedic load testing of the joint and Doppler ultrasound.
You will leave your initial appointment with us knowing your concerns have been carefully addressed and assessed. We provide a 99% success rate in alleviating TMJ-related discomfort through the right combination of treatments for each patient.
Depending on the personal plan we create for you, treatments might include splint therapy, posture training and balancing of the teeth’s biting surfaces, to name but a few.
Most Elmhurst patients with a TMJD don’t require surgery. In some cases, we might determine that pain relief will benefit from further specialization. If this will best serve the patient, we will team with other multidisciplinary physicians for differential diagnoses. Our network includes radiologists; ear, nose and throat physicians; neurologists; and physical therapists.
Elmhurst (IL): Why TMJD Proficiency Matters
TMJD is a highly particular healthcare concern. Advanced training is required to accurately diagnose and treat it. Most dentists and physicians receive little if any training in this field. Inexperience or partial knowledge can cause a delay in TMJ pain diagnosis and treatment.
As a licensed hospital staff dentist with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Grabavoy has ordered and interpreted thousands of MRIs to diagnose disease processes such as:
- parotid gland cancer
- temporal bone cancer
- retrodiscal edema
- cervical disc problems
- disc displacement
- ischemic necrosis
- sinus polyps and cysts
- joint effusions
Dr. Grabavoy also remains current with continuing education. He has given public presentations on TMJ and facial pain as well.
Your “TMJ Specialist Near Me” for Elmhurst (IL)
If you have TMJ symptoms, you don’t have to just keep living with them and letting them interfere with your daily comfort and quality of life. You can find out exactly what is causing them and how you can achieve enduring comfort and pain relief. Contact us at (630) 734-0909 today to speak with a TMJ specialist for Elmhurst (IL).
In addition to supporting Elmhurst with accurate TMJ diagnosis and treatment, we are here to help you become even more knowledgeable about TMJD and how you can achieve further pain relief on your own.
For example, the following are but a couple of ways you can contribute to restoring comfort, function and strength to your temporomandibular joints.
Relaxed-jaw exercise
1 Bring your lips lightly together. Your teeth will be slightly apart.
2 Breathe nasally. This will relax the jaw muscle.
Resisted opening of the mouth
1 Place your thumb under your chin.
2 Open your mouth slowly and push gently against your chin for resistance.
3 Hold for three to six seconds and then close your mouth slowly.
4 Repeat 10 times.