Does TMJ Go Away?

Are you suffering from pain in your jaw, neck, or shoulders that you can attribute to your TMJ? TMJ Disorders can be debilitating, annoying, and can interfere with everyday life. Luckily, you do not have to suffer from TMJ pain forever. Keep reading to learn about TMJ, TMJ treatment options, and what happens if TMJ is left untreated.

Understanding TMJ

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. “TMDs” refers to the disorders, and “TMJ” refers only to the temporomandibular joint itself. People have two TMJs, one on each side of the jaw. You can feel them by placing your fingers in front of your ears and opening your mouth.

There are three main classes of TMDs:

1. Disorders of the joints, including disc disorders.
2. Disorders of the muscles used for chewing (masticatory muscles).
3. Headaches associated with a TMD.

Treatment for TMJ

Depending on your symptoms, their severity, and the cause of your TMJ issues, there are a few treatment routes you can follow. For some people with mild or short-term symptoms, over-the-counter medication may help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. For others, physical therapy can help correct misalignment and strengthen jaw muscles.

At our clinic, we specialize in oral appliances and have been working with TMJ disorders for over 5 years. Our TMJ Treatment solution is to make you a custom TMJ splint and work with you and physical therapy to resolve any issues and get you back on track to living a happy, pain-free life.

If TMJ Is Left Untreated

Does TMJ go away on its own? The answer is; no. In fact, there could be severe consequences to not seeking TMJ treatment options. They include:

• Chronic, worsening jaw pain
• Recurring and worsening headaches and migraines
• Joint damage
• Sleep apnea
• Dental issues
• Tinnitus
• Depression
• Addiction derived from self-medicating

About Dr. Krissy Connor, Advanced Sleep and TMJ Solutions

Dr. Krissy Connor received her BSN in 2001 at the Marquette University School of Nursing. She was an emergency room nurse at Aurora Sinai Medical Center for three years before attending the Marquette University School of Dentistry to receive her DDS degree in 2008. She completed a post-graduate residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. Her background as a nurse motivated her to seek an area of dentistry where she could use her wide variety of skills and clinical experience to better serve her community. She has been collaborating with physicians to treat patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea using oral appliance therapy since 2014.

Beyond her accomplishments, Dr. Connor is a mother to three beautiful daughters. Her husband, Dr. Michael Connor, is a Neurologist who shares her passion for healthcare.

Dr. Connor has been improving the lives of patients as the owner of Hypnos Inc. in Brookfield, WI. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy.

Learn more at advancedsleepandtmjsolutions.com!