TMJ Treatment in Chicago, IL

Choose Dr. Contos for Lasting TMJ Pain Relief Near You

Jaw discomfort, persistent clicking, or tension headaches can make everyday activities feel like a challenge. At Contos Smile Center, Dr. Contos, one of the top dentists in Chicago, IL, offers effective TMJ treatment solutions that restore comfort and enhance your quality of life. Whether your jaw pain is sudden or has been developing over time, our Chicago-based TMD treatments are designed to help you return to living without limits.

Patients from nearby communities, including Oak Brook, Evanston, and Naperville, trust our team for precise TMJ disorder therapy and personalized care. Don’t wait to experience relief—call (773) 973-0531 today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a pain-free jaw.

Why Patients Across Cook County Trust Dr. Contos

At Contos Smile Center, we prioritize patient comfort and education, making sure you understand your condition, treatment options, and recovery path. Our goal is to help each patient regain confidence, freedom of movement, and relief from chronic jaw discomfort.

Serving Chicago and Surrounding Communities

Contos Smile Center welcomes patients from across the Chicago area. Individuals from neighborhoods and nearby communities such as Oak Brook, Evanston, and Naperville often seek our TMJ therapy for effective, lasting relief. Our modern Chicago dental practice provides accessible, patient-focused care in a welcoming environment.

What is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the body, connecting your jaw to your skull and enabling essential movements like talking, chewing, and yawning. The TMJs allow the mandible to move in multiple directions, making them crucial for a wide range of functions.

When this joint experiences stress, misalignment, or injury, it can lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, causing painful symptoms that can make daily activities a challenge. Additionally, conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can damage the cartilage of the TMJ, further contributing to discomfort and dysfunction.

What Can Cause TMD?

Common contributors to TMD include:

Jaw Injuries or Trauma: A direct blow to the face or whiplash can damage the temporomandibular joint, leading to pain and dysfunction.
Teeth Clenching: Also known as bruxism, frequent grinding or clenching, often occurring unconsciously at night, can strain the jaw muscles and exacerbate TMJ pain.
Misaligned Bite: Uneven bite patterns or missing teeth can place extra stress on the jaw joint.
Arthritis or Joint Degeneration: Inflammatory conditions can affect the TMJ, causing stiffness and discomfort.
Stress and Muscle Tension: Emotional stress often leads to unconscious jaw clenching, contributing to chronic jaw pain and TMJ jaw clicking.

Common Signs and Symptoms of TMD

Common symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain and tenderness in and around the jaw, difficulty opening the mouth wide, jaw locking, clicking or popping sounds, referred pain in the face and neck, and other symptoms like tinnitus and headaches. Additionally, earaches not caused by infections are also frequently reported by those suffering from TMD.

Jaw pain or soreness when chewing, speaking, or yawning
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully
Pain radiating to the face, neck, or shoulders
Frequent headaches or earaches
Stiffness or tightness in the jaw muscles
A feeling that the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly

If you’re noticing one or more of these symptoms, call our TMJ dentist in Chicago at (773) 973-0531. Dr. Contos offers detailed diagnostics and TMJ therapy that patients rely on for meaningful, long-term relief.

Importance of Treating TMJ Disorders

Ignoring TMJ pain or hoping it will resolve on its own can lead to worsening discomfort and more complex issues over time. Without proper TMJ disorder treatment, patients may experience chronic pain, limited jaw mobility, and even changes in bite alignment. However, it is worth noting that many TMD cases last only a short time and can resolve on their own without intervention.

Through effective non-surgical TMJ treatment Chicago residents trust, we help reduce inflammation, relax strained muscles, and restore harmony to your bite and jaw movement.

At-Home TMJ Pain Relief

While seeking professional dental care for TMJ pain is ideal, some effective at-home TMJ relief techniques for between appointments include:

Gentle Jaw Exercises: Slow, controlled movements can improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
Warm or Cold Compresses: Applying heat relaxes tense muscles, while cold can reduce inflammation and swelling.
Stress Reduction Techniques: Practices like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle neck stretches can decrease jaw clenching caused by tension.
Mindful Eating Habits: Avoiding hard, chewy foods or excessive gum chewing can prevent added strain on the temporomandibular joint.
Proper Posture: Keeping your head and neck aligned while sitting or working at a desk reduces unnecessary pressure on the jaw.

Non-Surgical TMD Pain Solutions Near You

TMJ Oral Appliance Therapy

One of the most effective methods we employ involves a custom-fitted TMJ oral appliance, often referred to as a splint or night guard. Unlike generic, boil-and-bite guards, our mouth guard appliances are precision-crafted based on detailed impressions and measurements of your mouth.

The goal of the appliance is to gently reposition the jaw into a more relaxed and optimal position, relieving strain on the joint and surrounding musculature, and preventing destructive nighttime teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) that can further harm jaw joints and cause myofascial pain.

Bite Correction and Equilibration

Sometimes, the source of the joint stress is a misaligned bite. Dr. Contos is highly skilled in evaluating and adjusting the way your upper and lower jaw meet. By subtly reshaping the chewing surfaces of a few teeth or using restorative dentistry, we can create a harmonious bite that distributes pressure on chewing muscles evenly, taking stress off the TMJs.

Collaborative Care

We recognize that the most successful TMJ therapy often requires a multidisciplinary approach. For patients who could benefit from muscle conditioning and tension relief, we frequently recommend and coordinate with physical therapists. This may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or a minimally invasive procedure if the case is severe. This integrated approach to TMJ physical therapy can significantly enhance results, promoting long-term stability and function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to treat TMJ disorders?

The best way to treat TMD is to visit your local dentist as soon as symptoms arise. Dr. Contos will examine your oral health to determine the best treatment for your jaw pain.

What types of TMJ therapy does Contos Smile Center offer?

We provide non-surgical options such as TMJ oral appliances, TMJ physical therapy, and other personalized pain management strategies designed to restore jaw function. Many dental practices, including ours, provide specialized TMJ care, particularly for non-surgical treatments. Dedicated centers like ours can offer a multidisciplinary approach to TMJ diagnosis and treatment, ensuring comprehensive care for our patients.

Can I treat TMJ disorders myself?

While self-care practices can help manage mild TMJ symptoms, it’s best to seek professional treatment for proper diagnosis and effective management of TMJ disorders. Your dentist can provide personalized guidance and therapies to alleviate neck pain, facial pain, and restore comfort.

How quickly can I expect relief from TMJ symptoms?

While results vary, many patients notice improvement in jaw mobility and pain reduction within a few weeks of starting treatment with Dr. Contos. The sooner you seek treatment to treat pain for temporomandibular disorders (TMDS), the sooner you can get back to your normal activities and painlessly control jaw movement.

What happens if TMJ disorders are left untreated?

If left untreated, temporomandibular joint disorders can lead to persistent pain, discomfort, and limitations in jaw function. The symptoms may worsen over time and interfere with daily activities such as eating, speaking, and sleeping. Additionally, untreated temporomandibular disorders can contribute to dental problems, headaches, muscle tension, degenerative joint disease, and other related issues.

Don’t Spend Another Day Hoping the Pain Goes Away– Call Dr. Contos for Fast TMJ Relief

Living with jaw pain can be exhausting. Every yawn, bite, or conversation might trigger discomfort, disrupting daily life and emotional well-being. Dr. Contos understands these challenges and invites you to take the first step toward relief.

Call our welcoming Chicago dental practice at (773) 973-0531 today to schedule your consultation at Contos Smile Center. Whether you’re coming from Oak Brook, Evanston, Naperville, or nearby areas, we’re ready to help you regain comfort, mobility, and confidence.