Chesheim Dental Associates

Erdenheim TMJ Dentistry

How can our Erdenheim TMJ dentist help you find relief?

Your Erdenheim TMJ issues might have started small—a little snap-crackle-pop when you chew, a little jaw soreness, and fatigue. But now, it’s getting worse. Headaches are a problem, right along with neck stiffness and a locking jaw. Opening your mouth wide enough to enjoy a nice, big sandwich is getting harder and harder. Some days, you even wake up in pain. What can you do? You don’t want jaw surgery—to whom can you turn for gentle, non-invasive relief?

Our Erdenheim TMJ dentist at Chesheim Dental Associates can help you with advanced TMJ dental treatments to get you feeling better, smiling stronger, and living life to the fullest.

With the right care, TMJ pain doesn’t have to control your life. Our Erdenheim TMJ dentist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan focused on reducing discomfort, improving mobility, and restoring your quality of life. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse—schedule a consultation today and start your journey to relief.

What is the TMJ and Why Does it Hurt So Much?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull, allowing you to chew, speak, and yawn. This small but complex joint is responsible for smooth jaw movement, but when something goes wrong, it can lead to significant pain and discomfort.

TMJ disorders (TMD) occur when the joint becomes inflamed, misaligned, or overworked. This can happen due to teeth grinding (bruxism), stress-related jaw clenching, arthritis, or even an injury. The result? Persistent jaw pain, headaches, clicking or popping sounds, and difficulty opening or closing your mouth. In severe cases, TMJ pain can radiate to the ears, neck, and shoulders, making everyday activities uncomfortable.

Since the TMJ is constantly in use, even minor issues can cause chronic pain. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen, leading to more significant jaw dysfunction. Fortunately, treatment options provided by our Erdenheim TMJ dentist—ranging from lifestyle changes and custom mouthguards to physical therapy and dental intervention—can help restore balance and relieve discomfort.

If you’re experiencing TMJ pain, don’t ignore it. Our Erdenheim TMJ dentist can help pinpoint the cause and develop a personalized treatment plan to ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Can TMJ Pain Be Treated Without Surgery?

Because each of our Erdenheim TMJ disorder patients has unique issues and experiences, we offer a wide range of treatments. We start by suggesting a vacation for your jaw. Letting your muscles and your joint rest is imperative to healing. We recommend starting with:

  • NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and offer temporary relief
  • Heat therapy
  • A soft diet, no gum chewing, and no nail biting or other stressors on your jaw

For some patients who have not experienced extensive damage from TMD, that can be enough to stop the cycle and offer lasting relief. For others, our Erdenheim TMJ dentist may also suggest:

  • A custom-fitted and -created occlusal guard or deprogrammer—these guards offer amazing relaxation and relief while also protecting your teeth from the damages of clenching and grinding
  • Physical therapy

No matter how long you have suffered from TMJ disorder pain, our Erdenheim TMJ dentist can help with a customized treatment plan just for you.

Before
After