Page 38 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria July 2014

pain can even spread into the shoulders. TMJ disorder can be
caused by trauma, like clenching of the jaw or grinding of the
teeth, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The degree of pain
resulting from the disorder can vary from minor to severe; some
patients experience pain every time they speak. Headaches and
dizziness can also be caused by TMJ disorder.
Bill Costaras, DDS, FACE, FIADFE, of Maple Shade Dentistry
in North Peoria has over 25 years of experience in dentistry. His
comprehensive treatment of TMJ Disorder and full mouth restora-
tion can take away pain and help you smile again.
For gentl e dental and orthodonti cs care for the enti re
family, call the Maple Shade Dental Group at 309-285-8376 or
visit mapleshadecenter.com for more information.
Photo credit: wavebreakmedia/Thinkstock
F
or most of us, temporo-
mandi bul ar i s a word
we cant pronounce, let
al one defi ne. Temporoman-
dibular is commonly referred
to as TMJ. Al though many
dentists may be well versed in
it and specialize in helping their
pati ents by di agnosi ng and
treating TMJ disorders, it is not
a recognized dental specialty.
The temporomandi bul ar
joint is the joint of the jaw; we
have one on each side working
in unison. The most common
di sorder of the TMJ i s di sc
di spl acement. Pati ents wi th
TMJ disorder can develop and
encounter a variety of issues
related to their disorder. These
issues can all affect the quality
of your life if you are a patient
suffering from TMJ disorder.
Signs and symptoms of a
TMJ disorder are:
Headaches
Migraines
Facial pain
Jaw joint clicking or locking
Ringing in ears
Ear congestion
Neck or back pain
Dizziness
Grinding teeth
Bite issues
Once diagnosed, there are many options for treatment. Being
diagnosed with TMJ is half the battle, as many dont relate their
discomfort as something they should speak with the dentist
about. If you feel that you experience chronic pain in or around
your jaw, have a complete evaluation. Thankfully, there are a
variety of TMJ therapy options available to patients seeking help
eliminating chronic pain from their daily lives.
If you are experiencing frequent headaches, back and neck
pain, dull aching facial pain, or popping in your jaw, you are not
alone. Approximately 35 million people in the United States suf-
fer from TMJ problems. There are solutions to your pain.
If youve experienced pain in your facial muscles or neck or
jaw pain, you may have TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disor-
der. The TMJ connects the jaw to the skull just below the ears.
For people who have this condition, the jaw joints may be over-
stretched, causing pain and spasms or making clicking, grating,
or other noises when moved. In addition to these TMJ symptoms,
Is It Causing Your Pain?
By Bill Costaras, DDS, FACE, FIADFE
tmj disorder
Bill Costaras, DDS,
FACE, FIADFE