TMJ Treatment in Gurnee
We rarely even think about the TMJ until it starts causing pain. If you live in Gurnee and you suffer from TMD, Dr. Hosseini and the team at Ariata Dental are here for you.
What Is TMJ?
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) have to do with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
This small, sliding hinge-like joint is located on either side of your jaw and it gets a great deal of use—whenever we speak, bite, chew, yawn, or even just open our mouths slightly, the TMJ is hard at work.
Types of TMD
There are three main types of TMD:
- Arthritis, a degenerative inflammatory disorder.
- Internal derangement of the joint, generally a displaced disc or dislocated jaw.
- Myofascial pain, which refers to the pain in the muscles that operate the TMJ.
Injections to Treat TMD
The first step to treating TMD is to diagnose the underlying cause of your TMJ pain at Ariata Dental. A mild case of TMD can be treated with home care, including ice packs and soft food diets during symptom flare-ups.
For more severe TMD, anti-inflammatory medication, stabilization splints, or injections can offer relief.
If your overactive jaw muscles cause your TMJ pain, therapeutic injections at Ariata Dental can be particularly helpful. Injections paralyze the muscles, causing the inflammation surrounding the joint to subside and relieving tension in the jaw.
Injections for TMJ can even improve your facial appearance, relaxing overworked muscles for a softer, less tense jaw.