TMJ Treatment in Park Ridge, IL | Loukas Dentistry
TMJ Treatment in Park Ridge, IL
TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) affects the joint that connects your jaw to your skull, causing pain, clicking, and difficulty chewing. At Loukas Dentistry in Park Ridge, IL, Dr. Thanasi Loukas offers comprehensive TMJ and bruxism treatments — including custom night guards and Botox injections — to relieve jaw pain and protect your teeth.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Difficulty or discomfort when chewing
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ears
- Worn, chipped, or flattened teeth from grinding (bruxism)
- Neck and shoulder pain
TMJ Treatment Options at Loukas Dentistry
Custom Night Guards
A custom-fitted night guard is one of the most effective treatments for bruxism and TMJ disorder. Unlike over-the-counter guards, our custom night guards are precisely fabricated from impressions of your teeth for a comfortable, secure fit that protects your teeth and reduces jaw muscle strain while you sleep.
Dr. Thanasi Loukas treats many TMJ cases with therapeutic Botox, easing the muscle activity behind jaw pain and clenching. He completed this injectable training through the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics.
Botox for TMJ and Jaw Pain
Botox injections into the masseter muscles (the large muscles responsible for chewing) can dramatically reduce jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and associated headaches. Dr. Loukas has extensive experience with therapeutic Botox for TMJ and can provide relief that lasts 3 to 6 months per treatment.
Bruxism: Night-Time Teeth Grinding and TMJ Pain
TMJ disorder is often driven by bruxism — grinding or clenching the teeth, usually during sleep. Because it happens at night, many patients don’t know they do it; they simply wake with sore jaws, tight facial muscles or a headache. Over time bruxism can cause chronic jaw, neck and shoulder pain, tooth sensitivity and worn-down enamel.
Common signs of a TMJ or bruxism problem include:
- Headaches, especially in the morning
- Sore chewing muscles or pain when opening wide
- Generalized pain in the teeth or jaw
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening the mouth
- Ringing in the ears
Treatment usually starts conservatively: a custom night guard to stop the teeth from grinding, anti-inflammatory medication when needed, and lifestyle changes that reduce the stress and caffeine that often trigger clenching. Botox for the jaw muscles is an option when guards alone aren’t enough, and in rare cases we refer to a TMJ specialist.
Schedule Your TMJ Consultation
If you’re suffering from jaw pain, headaches, or teeth grinding, relief is available. Call Loukas Dentistry at (847) 696-1919 or visit us at 714 W Higgins Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068 to schedule your TMJ consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read more: our complete guide to teeth grinding and TMJ pain covers causes, home care, night guards and Botox in detail.
