Are You Suffering From a TMJ Disorder?

Kelly Orthodontics

As a Certified Specialist in Orthodontics, Dr. Dan Kelly doesn’t just make amazing looking smiles, he also deals with the bite as a whole…including the jaw. If you touch your face right in front of your ear while opening and closing your jaw, you will feel your temporomandibular joint at work. When your temporomandibular joint working as it should, you can yawn or take a big bite of your favorite food without thinking twice. When your temporomandibular joint is off, yawning and opening your mouth wide can cause serious pain.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone on either side of the face. The temporomandibular joint is capable of both hinge and sliding motions, allowing us to shift the jaw side to side and forward and back to do things like chew, yawn, and talk.

While people often refer to problems with the joint as TMJ, that is the name for the joint itself and TMJ pain is actually a TMJ disorder and part of a larger category of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD involves the temporomandibular joint or its associated structures, such as the discs, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments.

The most common TMD symptoms include:

• Popping, clicking, or a grating sensation when you open and close your mouth 
• Pain and tenderness in the jaw, face, neck, or shoulders 
• A decrease in jaw mobility leading to trouble opening the mouth fully 
• Muscle spasms around the jaw 
• Frequent headaches, earaches, pressure, and pain behind the eyes

If TMD is left untreated, it can lead to inflammation, swelling, or chronic pain. It can also contribute to progressive dental problems, such as premature tooth wear and periodontal disease.

Treatment of TMJ disorders depends on the cause. Custom nightguards or oral splints can be an excellent way to get relief without medication. If TMD is due to malocclusion or an imbalance in bite forces, braces or Invisalign can align the teeth and jaws, which repositions the TMJ and surrounding structures.

There are other issues that can cause the symptoms most experienced with TMD, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even medical conditions like arthritis. That’s why it’s important to receive a proper diagnosis and the appropriate treatment from experienced orthodontist like Dr. Kelly. If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms associated with TMD, give Kelly Orthodontics a call. 

 

Scheduling Orthodontic Appointments With Kelly Orthodontics

Kelly Orthodontics

For many of us, making doctor appointments is a troubling task. Easily forgotten and always hard to fit into our busy weeks, especially with schedules that seem to change frequently.

If you are trying to schedule your initial appointment with Kelly Orthodontics but aren’t sure about the specifics, such as how to request an appointment or what exactly you need to be seen for, don’t worry…these are common concerns that many of our patients share. At Kelly Orthodontics, we want to make every step as simple as can be.

Whether you need to schedule an appointment for braces, a retainer, or other orthodontic issues, Dr. Dan Kelly will investigate any abnormalities that you or your dentist may have noticed to give a better vision for the future of your teeth. Visiting our office should be done anytime you have a concern or issue with the placement of your teeth, jaw, or general alignment within your mouth. Keeping your teeth healthy, straight, strong, and beautiful is a joint effort between you and Dr. Kelly, so it’s important to be sure you are on the right track moving forward with your oral health.

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to your or your child’s orthodontic treatment.

Our team believes each smile is unique and feel that it is especially important to listen to your concerns, your specific needs, and your preferences. This is just part of what makes us one of the best orthodontic offices in the St. Charles, Illinois area. Kelly Orthodontics has been a respected provider of orthodontic care in our community for over 40 years and is looking forward to educating you on your best options for creating your new smile.

At Kelly Orthodontics, you have a few options for requesting your appointment. Below are the ways you can do this:

Call Our Office. Give us a call and discuss how to set up an appointment with Dr. Kelly. Calling our St. Charles office is one of the easiest ways to get your appointment finalized and is an effortless way to find a time that works with your schedule.

Request Online. Requesting an orthodontic appointment online via our website is another easy way to fit an appointment into your schedule. Simply fill out the form on our request page and one of our team members will contact you to finalize and confirm your appointment.

Stop By. If you’re in the St. Charles, Illinois area, stop in and set up your appointment in person. You can get a feel for the office when you're inside, and it makes it quite easy to ask any questions you may have about the appointment that you’re requesting to schedule.

Always remember…you are never too old for orthodontic treatment as long as you have healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Kelly is an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. He possesses the skills and experience needed to give you your best smile.

Dr. Dan Kelly and the Kelly Orthodontic Team have a mission to not only give you a more beautiful smile but to also provide an extremely pleasant experience in our family-friendly environment. Visit us today!