Causes and symptoms of TMJ/TMD and treatment available for patients in the community
At West Suburban Oral Health Care, we provide more than just cleanings, examinations, and fillings to our patients. We also help them in addressing problems such as jaw pain. Treatment for jaw pain will typically be done after a patient has been diagnosed with a TMJ disorder or TMD. The TMJ, which stands for temporomandibular joint, is the jaw joint that connects and hinges the upper jaw and lower jaw. It can be painful and concerning when problems exist in the joint or surrounding muscles and ligaments. With proper diagnosis and treatment, patients with TMJ can lead normal lives–and a better quality of life!
What causes TMD?
The most common cause of TMJ disorder is simple wear and tear, leading to a wide array of symptoms. Stress can also be a leading factor in causing TMD, along with biting nails, chewing on pens, or eating ice. In some patients, misalignment of the jaw and dysfunction of the joint itself leads to a diagnosis of TMJ disorder.
What are the symptoms of TMJ/TMD?
Below are a few of the more common symptoms:
- Pain and discomfort around the jaw and jaw joint
- Popping sounds in the jaw when opening or closing the mouth
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Poor bite alignment when chewing or closing the teeth together
- Locking of the jaw (when the jaws are stuck in the open or closed position)
- Clicking sounds when eating or chewing food
- Damage to natural tooth enamel and dental restorations
Treatment options may be discussed when these symptoms are brought to the dentist’s attention. Our team may recommend orthodontic treatment or the use of an oral appliance to alleviate pain and other problems associated with TMJ disorder. TMJ therapy options are discussed when patients have received a definitive diagnosis.
Schedule time to speak to our team about your needs
The team at West Suburban Oral Health Care of Naperville, IL, is here to provide solutions for individuals dealing with the problems associated with TMD and TMJ disorder. Drs. Susan Mazzei, and Kelsey Esposito can assist! Call the office at 630-393-3045 to request a visit to our practice, conveniently located at 380 West Diehl Road. We are open to new and returning individual patients and families in the community and surrounding cities of North Aurora, Glen Ellyn, Warrenville, and Wheaton.
Dr. Susan Mazzei is committed to delivering compassionate and effective care to patients of all ages and backgrounds in Naperville, Illinois. She is a highly skilled dentist who earned her Certification in Prosthodontics after graduating from Northwestern University Dental School.
After finishing her studies, she enrolled in the Northwestern University Dental School faculty as a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Mazzei believes that optimal dental health begins with education and preventative care and educates patients at West Suburban Oral Healthcare on how to take more control of their oral health, which promotes optimal systemic health.
Dr. Mazzei is dedicated to upgrading her education and being up to date on the newest breakthroughs in oral health and dentistry, ensuring that her patients receive the finest care possible.
Dr. Kelsey Esposito joined West Suburban Oral Health Care as an Associate General Dentist in 2017 after meeting Dr. Mazzei, with whom she shared a belief in providing comprehensive, personalized dental care.
She holds a BA in Economics and Fine Art from Kalamazoo College and a Premedicine Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from Northwestern University. Before entering dentistry, she worked in healthcare advertising and communications for a large ad company and a small non-profit cancer research organization. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from The University of Illinois, Chicago.
Dr. Esposito is a member of several leading professional associations, like the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. Paying attention to detail and offering quality care that makes patients satisfied with their oral health and smiles are her goals.