What Happens If TMJ Goes Untreated?

It can be difficult for a professional to determine the direct cause of a TMJ disorder, but there could be an underlying condition or prior trauma involved. Some examples of these include whiplash, a blow to the jaw or cheek, teeth grinding, teeth clenching, tooth loss, teeth misalignment, dislocation or misalignment of the jaw joint, excessive gum chewing, nail biting, or arthritis in the TMJ. If you have or have had any of these issues and you’re still experiencing some symptoms today, then you might benefit from TMJ testing and treatment. If you don’t address the issue, it could worsen, and so could your pain and other symptoms.

When the TMJ isn’t functioning properly for any reason, this is a TMJ disorder, and a patient can experience symptoms like jaw pain, a popping/clicking jaw, pain behind the eyes, pain in the ears, ringing in the ears, ear congestion, facial pain, frequent headaches, temperature-sensitive teeth, difficulty swallowing, or other issues. If some of these issues go untreated, they can worsen and become chronic.

Yes, and there are different methods for testing and treatment. A professional will perform an examination of the patient’s jaw and, if necessary, suggest further testing with 3-dimensional imaging. For treatment, digital modelling and electrical stimulation can help. The most effective treatment for TMJ disorder and your particular case of it could easily be oral appliance therapy.

Oral appliance therapy is easy for patients because it uses a simple, convenient, and comfortable oral appliance. Patients wear this oral insert at night, and this helps to prevent the conditions that cause TMJ disorder in the first place. And by preventing these issues from occurring, oral appliance therapy can prevent sleep apnea as well. In fact, after about 3 months, many patients will be 90% symptom-free. Oral appliance therapy is approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and we recommend it and provide it here at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders.

To learn more about oral appliance therapy or to have a consultation with us, get in touch with our clinic today. We have locations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin so we ask that you see our Locations page for these locations’ addresses and contact information. Alternatively, you can contact us at (855) 977-0400, and we’ll help you find the location nearest you. Call us today to learn everything else we can tell you about treating TMJ disorder here at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders!