TMJ Joint Pain Treatment Clinic in Peoria, IL

The major causes of pain in the TMJ include:

– Trauma or Injury to the Joint — Any traumatic injury to the temporomandibular joint can cause swelling and inflammation that leads to a painful jaw joint. This can include injury due to a sports incident, a car accident, a fall, or a blow to the face.
– Joint Deterioration Due to Arthritis — Some of the same conditions that affect other joints can affect the temporomandibular joint as well. This includes osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear form of arthritis that occurs over time, as repetitive use of the temporomandibular joint can grind away the connective tissue until it becomes inflamed. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that can cause TMJ disorder at any age, although it is most common in adults.
– Erosion in the Disc that Cushions the Joint — In order to eat sticky, hard foods (like pretzels and toffee), the temporomandibular joint must work extra hard. While this joint is designed for a lifetime of wear, if stressed like any other joint, the disc that cushions and softens movement can begin to erode over time, making movement painful and causing a crackling or popping sound known as crepitus.
– Bruxism — A disorder that puts incredible stress on the jaw and the temporomandibular joint over time, bruxism is characterized by teeth grinding and jaw clenching. As people with bruxism are not guaranteed to develop TMJ disorder, bruxism is more of a risk factor than an actual cause.

TMJ disorder flare-ups can last anywhere from a couple days to several weeks, if the condition is being actively treated. If TMJ disorder is left untreated, symptoms can become chronic, lasting for years and severely impacting a person’s daily life.

Dysfunction of the TMJ can cause pain in any area of the jaw, including the entire jaw. This is not very likely in mild cases of TMJ disorder; widespread pain is most common in moderate to severe cases. In addition to this, severe TMJ dysfunction can also cause pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back; this radiating pain is commonly caused by nerve damage or a pinched nerve.

The treatment that will best alleviate TMJ pain is different depending on the underlying cause of TMJ disorder. For example, if bruxism (involuntary teeth grinding or clenching) is the cause of TMJ pain, this condition would need to be treated—typically with a mouth guard—in order to ameliorate the discomfort.  If TMJ pain was the result of an injury or trauma to the face, the underlying damage must be addressed. This may involve physical therapy, minimally invasive procedures or noninvasive therapies; surgery may also be required in cases of severe damage.
 
If you are experiencing pain in your jaw joint, come to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders for care! Call us today to book an appointment at our TMJ joint pain treatment clinic, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 11825 N. State Route 40, Suite 100, Dunlap, IL 61525. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Dunlap IL, Bellevue IL, Pottstown IL, West Peoria IL, East Peoria IL and surrounding areas.