You may suffer from TMJ (or TMD) disorder if you experience frequent jaw or facial pain, often caused by Bruxism or teeth grinding. American Dental can help.

The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, or the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the head. The term “TMJ” is often used to refer to TMJ disorder, also called TMD, which occurs when the jaw joint becomes stressed, injured, or misaligned. TMJ disorder may result due to several different factors, such as stress, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), arthritis in the TMJ, or trauma and injury to the head, neck, or jaw.

What Can TMJ Lead To?

You may suffer from TMD if you experience frequent jaw pain or facial pain. TMJ disorders may also cause:

  • Grinding, clicking, or popping sounds in the jaw when you open and close your mouth
  • Inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn, or chew
  • A locked or stuck jaw
  • Pain when chewing and biting
  • Frequent headaches

Our dentist can help you determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment. Treatment for the TMJ will depend on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder. TMD treatment may include jaw and facial relaxation exercises, lifestyle changes, restorative dental treatments, a mouth guard or night guard, or jaw surgery. To learn more about TMJ treatment and to schedule your consultation with our dentist, we encourage you to contact us today.


Very helpful staff & nice office

My dentist was really nice, straightforward, and made sure to check in with me many times throughout my cleaning to make sure everything was alright. Didn't seem pushy or judgmental (even though it was my first cleaning in years). Very helpful staff and nice office, too.


Ashley Donegan Chicago, IL

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