Dental Sleep Assesment
Dental Sleep Medicine/TMD
What is TMJ & TMD? (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders)
The hinges that connect your jaw on either side of your skull are your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). And these hinges are tasked with several significant responsibilities. Their working ability coincides with everything from your ease and ability to open and close your mouth, yawn, and chew to the way you speak and hear, how well you sleep, and how healthy you feel.
When TMJ dysfunctions arise, you could be experiencing one (or a combination) of conditions across a complex range of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). “TMJ” is often used synonymously with “TMD,” but TMDs are the disorders that affect TMJs and the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and ligaments.
It certainly doesn’t make them any less uncomfortable, but TMDs are very common. While TMDs are more common in women, particularly those in their childbearing years, they can affect anyone at any age. Millions of Americans are diagnosed each year, and, unfortunately, estimates indicate millions more may be suffering in silence. But TMDs shouldn’t stand in the way of your health, comfort, and happiness.
Elements Dental Studio now offers professional Botox treatment for TMJ.
In addition to its well-publicized cosmetic uses, Botox has been approved by the FDA for painful conditions potentially related to TMJ, such as cervical dystonia and migraine.
Botox can be injected directly into the chewing (masseter and temporalis) muscles to relax these muscles giving patients an alternative treatment to manage their pain.
Tenderness or pain in the jaw.
Pain in or around ears.
Frequent headaches or migraines.
Clenching or grinding your teeth.
TMJ Checklist
Assessing your symptoms & Risk
Jaw
- Are you experiencing tenderness or pain in your jaw?
- Do you hear or feel a click or pop when you open and close your mouth?
- Is it uncomfortable to bite down?
- Does your jaw lock when opened or closed?
- Is it difficult to fully open your mouth or chew?
- Have you suffered a traumatic jaw injury?
Ears
- Are you experiencing pain in or around your ears?
- Do you hear ringing in your ears?
- Is your hearing muffled?
Head & Neck
- Are you experiencing facial pain or spasms?
- Do you have frequent headaches?
- Do you have migraines?
- Do you have neck aches or shoulder pain?
- Are you experiencing dizziness?
Teeth & Gums
- Do you clench or grind your teeth?
- Do you feel like the way your teeth fit together has changed?
- Do you have worn down, loose, or broken teeth?
- Are your gums receding?
- Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity to hot and cold?
Mental & Physical Health
- Are you having trouble sleeping?
- Are you under a lot of stress?
- Have you been diagnosed with a chronic condition or autoimmune disorder, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lupus, or fibromyalgia?
Our Holistic Approach
TMD/TMJ Treatment Options
If you answered yes to one, a few, a handful, or even several of the questions above, there’s no need to panic. Not every jaw pain is a TMD. And even if it is, there are treatments available. Starting treatment early on can help you stave off long-term effects. So don’t suffer in silence.
Elements Dental Studio is here to help. We are passionate about helping our patients find relief and comfort. Our professional patient care team is here to discuss your symptoms and concerns, answer your questions, and get you started on a comprehensive treatment plan.
We start by taking a comprehensive TMD assessment. Because the most comprehensive and successful treatment plans often require a multidisciplinary approach, we also work in conjunction with other professionals, such as ENTs, massage therapists, MRI imaging centers, myofunctional therapists, and sleep medicine specialists.
Our practice uses state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, such as 3D cone beam imaging, which allows us to visualize the joint and helps us pinpoint the cause of the pain. If you suffer from acute TMJ muscle pain, we can help relieve your pain with dual-wavelength laser therapy.
At Elements Dental Studio, we take things like continuing education to the next level to ensure our patients have access to cutting-edge solutions. That’s one of the reasons our patients don’t receive traditional night guards. Instead, we custom tailor orthotic splints, which we design to return the patient’s jaw joint to the most orthopedically stable position. Since the FDA has approved Botox to treat certain TMJ-related conditions, such as cervical dystonia and migraines, we now offer professional Botox treatments as a pain-relief alternative.
We provide these services to local residents, including: Evanston, IL | Kenilworth, IL | Lincolnwood, IL | Rogers Park, IL | Skokie, IL | Wilmette, IL
