Jaw Pain & TMJ Dentist in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

TMJ treatment in Oconomowoc, WI is available at Expert Smile Designs, where Dr. Tom A. Stamas and Dr. Paul Stamas assess patients with jaw pain, restricted movement and the range of symptoms that come with temporomandibular joint disorders.

The joints themselves are small, sit just in front of the ears, and work constantly. When they are not functioning properly the consequences spread further than the jaw — which is why TMJ problems are so often missed.

Symptoms worth paying attention to include aching or sharp pain in the jaw, clicking or grating sounds when opening and closing, a jaw that locks or catches, difficulty opening the mouth wide, and tenderness around the joint. Alongside those, many patients report headaches that recur without an obvious trigger, ear pain with no infection present, facial or neck discomfort, or waking with a tight, tired jaw — the usual sign of overnight grinding.

The underlying causes differ from case to case. Sustained clenching and grinding places load on the joint well beyond what it is designed for. An uneven bite can mean one side works considerably harder than the other. Injury, joint wear and arthritic change account for others. Often more than one factor is involved, which is why diagnosis comes before any treatment plan.

Expert Smile Designs approaches that with equipment not every general practice has. TMJ Scan and Joint Vibration Analysis records how the joint moves and the sounds it makes during that movement, while Tekscan® digital bite analysis measures where and how forcefully the teeth meet. Together they turn a subjective complaint into measurable data.

The treatment that follows depends on what is found. Anyone seeking TMJ treatment in Oconomowoc, WI should expect assessment first and a plan second, because the right approach for a bite problem is not the right approach for joint wear or for a grinding habit.

TMJ care forms part of the practice’s wider general and family dentistry offering, which also covers cleanings, restorative treatment, emergency appointments and sedation for anxious patients.

Named a Top Dentist by MKE Lifestyle magazine, the practice treats patients from Oconomowoc and across the surrounding Lake Country area, including Delafield, Hartland, Dousman and Watertown.

Call 262-567-8386 to book an assessment. Expert Smile Designs, 1020 Oconomowoc Parkway, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066.