TMJ & TMD Treatment in Chicago

Jaw pain that follows you through every meal, every conversation, and every morning you wake up is more than an annoyance — it’s a signal that something in your jaw joint needs attention. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull and controls nearly every movement your mouth makes. When this joint or the muscles surrounding it stop functioning properly, the result is a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD — a condition that affects an estimated 5 to 10 percent of the U.S. population according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

At Floss & Co., we approach TMJ and TMD with the full picture in mind. Our team — led by Dr. Martha Silva, Dr. Izzy Naem, and Dr. Catherine Murphy — takes time to understand what’s driving your discomfort before recommending a path forward. As part of our comprehensive dental services, we offer personalized jaw disorder care designed to relieve your pain and help you move, eat, and speak comfortably again.

Understanding the TMJ and What TMD Means for You

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. It acts as a hinge while also allowing the sliding motion needed for chewing, talking, and yawning. When something disrupts this balance — whether through muscle tension, joint damage, or structural issues — it can cause a cascade of symptoms that extend well beyond the jaw itself.

TMD is an umbrella term for more than 30 conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding tissues. Symptoms commonly include jaw pain or tenderness, clicking or popping when opening or closing your mouth, limited jaw movement, facial aching, headaches, and earaches. Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, getting an accurate diagnosis from a dental provider familiar with jaw disorders is an important first step.

What Causes TMJ and TMD?

TMJ disorders rarely have a single cause. Most cases involve a combination of contributing factors, and identifying them is key to building a treatment plan that works for you.

Jaw Misalignment and Bite Imbalance

When your upper and lower teeth don’t come together properly, it places uneven stress on the temporomandibular joint. Over time, this imbalance strains the joint’s cartilage, muscles, and ligaments, resulting in pain, clicking, and restricted movement. Our team may address bite issues through orthodontic treatment or restorative dental work, depending on what’s driving the misalignment.

Bruxism and Teeth Clenching

Grinding or clenching your teeth — often during sleep — is one of the most common contributors to TMD. The repeated force wears down enamel and inflames the jaw joint, and many people are unaware they’re doing it until symptoms appear. Custom mouth guards are a highly effective way to protect the joint and relieve pressure while you sleep, and our team fits them with digital precision for maximum comfort.

Joint Injury, Trauma, and Arthritis

A direct blow to the jaw or face can disrupt the joint’s delicate cartilage and supporting structures. Similarly, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can gradually wear down the joint over time, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and changes in how your bite fits together. These conditions often require a more comprehensive care plan that combines pain management with dental treatment.

The Airway Connection

There is a meaningful relationship between jaw position and airway health. Certain jaw structures and bite patterns can contribute to sleep-disordered breathing, and conversely, chronic sleep disruption can worsen pain sensitivity. If you are experiencing both jaw pain and poor sleep quality, our team may evaluate whether an airway-related component is contributing to your symptoms.

What to Expect at Your TMJ Appointment

Your first visit focuses on understanding your situation fully. We begin with a gentle, thorough evaluation of your jaw function, symptoms, and health history — asking questions that go beyond the jaw to capture how your discomfort is affecting your daily life. We’ll assess how your jaw opens and closes, check for clicking or tenderness, and review how your bite comes together. From there, we build a tailored treatment plan around what we find.

Treatment at Floss & Co. prioritizes the most conservative options first. For many patients, this means a custom night guard, targeted jaw exercises, or adjustments to how bite forces are distributed. For more complex presentations, we may layer in additional therapies. Our goal is effective, lasting relief — not a quick fix that leaves the underlying cause unaddressed.