What is TMJ Therapy?
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the place where your jaw attaches to your skull to enable you to open your jaw smoothly. Sometimes the temporomandibular joint is damaged or injured, causing a debilitating condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD). Common symptoms of TMD include stiffness, muscle spasms, and clicking or popping in the jaw area. If you're having pain or hearing sounds whenever you open your jaw, then schedule an appointment with dentist Dr. Jeffrey Weller to discover if you have TMD. At his offices, Weller Dental in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL, Dr. Weller utilizes innovative techniques and technologies to assess and care for your TMD to alleviate symptoms. Your TMJ treatment will be dependent on the cause of your TMD and your particular condition, but a few choices are oral appliances (night or mouth guards), bite alteration, dental restorations, and much more.
Am I A Candidate for TMJ Therapy?
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction could be brought about by an injury to the jaw, years of jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism), or dental malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth). Other conditions that can result in TMD include a tumor in the temporomandibular joint or arthritis. In some instances, the reason behind TMD cannot be determined, but if you're having symptoms and signs, Dr. Weller can diagnose and care for your TMJ. A few of the most typical signs of TMD are tenderness or pain at the jaw joint, involuntary contractions in your face muscles, feeling as though your jaw is rigid or stuck, and frequent headaches that begin around your ears. Another sign is hearing popping, clicking, or cracking when you use your jaw. Upon diagnosing TMD, Dr. Weller will create a customized treatment plan that fits your specific needs.
What Can I expect with TMJ Therapy?
To diagnose a temporomandibular dysfunction, Dr. Weller will listen carefully to understand your concerns prior to a physical exam. Throughout the examination, he will evaluate how your jaw moves and search for indicators of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and misalignment. He will also palpate the jaw joint and lower face for any swelling and tenderness. Dr. Weller might request digital images of your lower head along with an analysis of your bite to search for underlying factors that will determine your therapy approach. Depending on the examination, he will discuss your treatment choices that might incorporate a mouth guard, Bite Analysis and Equilibration, teeth straightening, or restorative dentistry (bridges, crowns, and dentures).
Weller Dental Reviews
The staff is always friendly and welcoming. The care I receive here is exceptional. I am so glad that I found Dr. Weller and his team to take care of my dental needs.
OUTSTANDING dental practice!!!!!
Caring, professional, friendly are just a few wonderful accolades that I can start with. Exceptional in all ways.
All very professional from getting an appointment to reception to the hygienist to Dr. Sultan. All pain free from beginning to end! Highly recommend!
Wonderful experience. Went on a referral and I am so glad I followed through on getting a second opinion from Weller. Straightforward, no pressure, extremely knowledgeable and talented. Warm and friendly service from intake call to doc. Lovely all around. Highly recommend.
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Plan Your Procedure
Treatments start at
from $150.00
Recovery Time
None
How Long It Takes
1 Hour
Follow Up Time
1 Week
What To Expect After TMJ Therapy?
Along with treatments to address the root cause of your temporomandibular joint dysfunction, Dr. Weller may suggest different strategies to alleviate pain and other problems on your own. This may include a soft food diet, not biting your nails or chewing gum, applying heat to your jaw, and relaxation methods. Dr. Weller may also show you exercises to strengthen your jaw and to relax your facial muscles.
You should continue to attend follow-up appointments so Dr. Weller can assess the results from your TMJ treatment. If your therapy isn't working, he might look at another strategy. As soon as your TMD is fully treated, you should still schedule regular dental examinations as recommended by Dr. Weller at our facility to keep your jaw and teeth healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes TMJ dysfunction?
There are many environmental and genetic factors that might lead to the development of TMJ disorder. Some of the most common risk factors for TMJ problems include bruxism (regular jaw clenching) and genetic predisposition. During your initial consultation, Dr. Weller will perform a thorough exam of your mouth and jaw to identify the underlying cause(s) of your condition.
How long does TMJ therapy take to work?
The answer to this depends on how severe your TMJ issues are. Individuals with mild to moderate cases will often see results from TMJ therapy faster than those with more complex problems. Our team at Weller Dental will come up with a treatment plan based on your unique situation.
Can TMJ lead to headaches or migraines?
One of the biggest benefits of TMJ therapy is that it can help relieve tension and head pain caused by jaw grinding. This treatment can also help reduce chronic inflammation and pain around the cheeks and ears. If you regularly experience headaches and aren’t sure why, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weller to discover if TMJ therapy can help.
Does Dental Insurance Cover TMJ Therapy?
Dental insurance policies for diagnosing TMJ pain and TMD therapies will change, so we'll get in touch with your provider to figure out your personal expenses. Whether you do or don't have dental insurance, Dr. Weller will discuss price quotes when explaining treatment choices. To make all remedies as affordable as possible, Weller Dental takes many payment options and we will be able to help you find medical financing.
Ready for a Consultation?
Pain in your jaw can make it difficult to eat, talk, and enjoy your everyday life. Since there are lots of potential causes, signs, and remedies to treat TMD, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Weller at his practice in Chicago or Hinsdale, IL to learn more about the right treatment for your specific needs. He will perform a detailed exam prior to diagnosing the problem and talking about treatment choices. Get in touch with our staff at Weller Dental to learn more.