Woman holding jaw in pain

TMJ

Have you noticed a clicking or popping sound in your jaw, headaches, pain in your neck, or ringing in your ears?

These issues are often misdiagnosed by doctors and poorly trained dentists, and may be a sign of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.

Delany Dental Care in Gurnee, IL, can determine if  you are suffering from a TMJ disorder (TMD) and provide an effective solution.

ATTTENTION:

ALL NEUROMUSCULAR
& TMJ PATIENTS

Dr Ira L Shapira only accepts new TMJ, DNA and mRNA cases at his office in Highland Park.

Please contact Dr Shapira at https://www.thinkbetterlife.com.

Benefits of TMJ Disorder Treatment

Woman with jaw pain

Prevent Health Problems

TMJ disorder (TMD) causes wear and tear on your teeth and makes you more vulnerable to dental problems such as cavities and gum recession. TMJ can also result in chronic pain, bruxism, snoring problems, and persistent migraines. A treatment plan that is designed to address your unique functional problems and symptoms can provide relief and prevent ongoing and future health problems.

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Reduced Long-Term Dental Care Costs

When temporomandibular disorder goes untreated, patients require other treatments to maintain their teeth, jaw, and overall health. Patients often incur expenses to restore worn and damaged teeth and gums caused by issues such as bruxism or teeth clenching and grinding, as well as expenses to treat sleep apnea, and address chronic discomfort.

Cone beam machine

Proper and Effective Treatment

Many patients don't know that their symptoms are related to jaw function. In many cases, they are treated for different disorders such as migraine, tension headaches, sinus pain, ear pain, and other problems. We can diagnose your TMJ disorder using x-rays and Cone Beam CT technology, and then develop a treatment plan that will address your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Contact Our Gurnee, IL, Practice

Dr. Ira Shapira is a dentist who has more than 40 years of experience treating TMD and works alongside Mark Amidei and Richard Cottrell to address even the most difficult cases. If you are considering TMD treatment, please contact us to schedule your temporomandibular joint treatment consultation today. We serve patients in Gurnee, Lake County, and North Chicago. Contact us online or call us at:
 

(847) 623-5530

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"I am feeling much better."

A patient who suffered more than six months with a locked jaw discusses the positive results he was able to achieve under Dr. Shapira's care.

5-Star Reviews "I wake rested and have no headaches."

1

Cathie Peklay

2019

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Anyone with TMJ, or sleep apnea issues needs to visit Delany Dental Care.  I can now sleep on my back with no blockage from airways. I wake rested and have no headaches. I appreciate Delany Dental and Dr. Shapira for his care and knowledge.

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1

Karen Gershtein

2016

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I saw Dr Shapira for TMJ problems and chronic Migraines. I wore a plastic appliance for several months. All of my issues with jaw locking and clicking resolved as did my daily headaches and chronic migraines. I no longer have dark circles under my eyes either.

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What are TMJs?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This is not a disorder but actually the name of the jaw joint. It connects the temporal bone of the skull to the mandible or lower jaw. People often state that they have TMJ as if it is a disease.

If you went to an orthopedic doctor with knee problems and he diagnosed you as having a knee, you would probably look for a new doctor. So it is with TMJ. Everybody has TMJ; in fact, everybody has two TM Joints unless a surgeon has removed one.

TMD stands for temporomandibular disorders. This is the correct term for TMJ disorders.

TMJ model

TMJ Disorder (TMD) Treatment

It is estimated that more than half of Americans suffer from TMD to varying degrees. Fortunately, TMJ disorders and TMD can be treated with neuromuscular dentistry. The goal of TMJ treatment is to improve your quality of life by eliminating symptoms and stabilizing the entire system. Some of the treatment options we offer include:

Neuromuscular

Neuromuscular TMJ treatment

TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, employs low-level electric currents to treat pain. This treatment involves the placement of electrodes at the site of the pain to deliver electricity and stimulate the underlying nerves. We use the following devices:

  • Ultra Low Frequency TENS
  • ULF-TENS

Injectable

Injectable TMJ Treatments

Injections can reduce pain and encourage healing of the temporomandibular joints. Because every patient's specific needs are different, our practice offers several types of injectable treatments for TMJ relief:

  • Trigger Point Injections
  • Prolotherapy
  • Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Blocks

Orthotics

Neuromuscular Orthotics

Oral appliances can be used to hold the temporomandibular joints in proper alignment to gradually reposition the jaw and surrounding jaw muscles. This can offer long-term relief of TMJ disorder and reduce tooth damage. We offer the following neuromuscular orthotic appliances:

  • Pivotal Appliances
  • Aqualizer Appliance

Conservative Treatment Is Our Focus

We do everything we can to avoid surgery. Other treatment options may include drugs to relax the joints and muscles, as well as physical therapy, heat or ice, and more. If these treatments fail, you may require surgery to address TMJ issues, and we will refer you to an outstanding oral surgeon for further evaluation and possible treatment. We want you to live a life free of TMJ pain, and will work with you to meet your unique needs using the most conservative treatment possible. 

The Cost of Treatment

The cost of a temporomandibular joint consultation is $334 and the cost of running a Cone Beam CT scan to check for temporomandibular disorders is $334.

Temporomandibular joint treatment may involve use of a nighttime appliance to more complex therapies with orthotics and diagnostic evaluations. As a result, treatment for TMD can cost our Gurnee, Lake County, and North Chicago patients anywhere from $750 to several thousand dollars, depending on many factors.

Typical patients with moderate to severe temporomandibular disorders should contact us for the initial series of appointments and diagnostic testing. 

Don't Suffer With TMJ Pain Call our Gurnee, IL, dental practice today!

At Delany Dental Care, we are here to help you overcome the pain, frustration, and oral health issues that accompany a TMJ disorder. From diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders to effective treatment options, our dentists have over 40 years of combined experience to help relieve your pain and help you live comfortably. Our knowledgeable team pairs their experience with technology such as digital x-rays and cone beam CT technology to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and high-quality care. You can count on us to identify your needs and deliver relief in the most conservative way possible. Call us today:

Staff

Hear From Our Patients "I have never felt better."

1

Suzan Brady

2019

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Dr. Shapira and his staff are excellent. Dr Shapira worked with me to fix my TMJ issues. Changed my bite. I have never felt better. They treat you like  family!  They are also working with my husband to cure his sleep apnea! We are both very happy with Dr. Shapira.

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1

W L

2018

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Delany Dental Care has an excellent dental care team and Dr. Shapira is definitely one of the best TMJ doctor I have ever seen. If you have any TMJ related concerns I can definitely say that he is the right person to take care of any issues you have!

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Relief from Chronic Pain

Dr Shapira changed my life: treated TMJ: TMJ TESTIMONIAL
Hear from our patients about how their lives were affected by finally receiving effective treatment.

Types of TMJ Disorders

One

Intracapsular Problems

The first is intracapsular problems, or problems inside of the joint. This is often caused by structural alterations in the joint itself, which may occur as a result of injury and degeneration. Symptoms of intracapsular problems include clicking, popping, crepitation, and jaw joints that get stuck and will not allow movements such as opening, closing, chewing, or side to side movements. It can also result in pain, specifically head pain.

Two

Capsular Problems

The second type of problem is capsular problems, or problems in the tissues directly enveloping the joint. These first two types are often considered together as joint disorders. These joints are subject to the same damage as every other joint of the body including arthritis, tears or fractures of the joint tissues, and various inflammatory and infectious processes.

Three

Extracapsular Problems

The last group of disorders is extracapsular disorders, which affect the musculature of the TMJ. Symptoms of extracapsular issues include joint pain, muscle dysfunction, spasms, and myofascial trigger points. It can also result in pain in the head, face, and neck muscles, as well as ringing or buzzing in the ears.

TMJ Disorder Symptoms

TMD is often called The Great Imposter. It is given this name because of the wide variety of disorders that are associated with it. The more common symptoms associated with TMD include:

  • Headaches
  • Facial pain
  • Pain in the jaw joints and jaw muscles
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Otalgia or earaches
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the ear
  • Itchy ears
  • Clogged or stuffy ears known as eustachian tube dysfunction
  • Retro-orbital pain or pain behind the eyes
  • Numbness in the hands and fingertips
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Equilibrium problems
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Depression
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Tooth and root canal pain with no findings
  • Sinus pain and feeling of fullness
  • Bruxism, or teeth grinding or clenching
  • Chiropractic problems that do not respond well to treatment

TMJ or TMD can potentially have devastating effects on your overall health and well-being. Some patients wear their teeth down because of constant grinding or clenching, while others may suffer from severe migraines. People in need of neuromuscular dental treatment may also suffer from sleep apnea and snoring.

"I am drastically improved."

TMJ devastated my life. Treatment has restored me back to life. TMJ TESTIMONIAL
Hear from our patients about how their lives were affected by finally receiving effective treatment.

More 5-Star Reviews "The staff is very patient-oriented..."

1

Dennis Cusumano

2022

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Had a consultation with Doctor Shapira regarding pain in my jaw. It was TMJ. Doctor Shapira showed me how, so many muscles in our body, can affect you, in ways you never would have considered! The pain I was experiencing, was not only in my left jaw, but also, in also in my left ear, neck and sometimes, would radiate over my head!!!  I am EXTREMELY happy with the treatment I received from Doctor Shapira, and the results of his treatment. 

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1

Chloe Ortega

2021

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I have struggled to find a suitable dentist for quite some time but Delany Dental was highly recommended by friends and family. I was pleasantly surprised by their kind and knowledgeable team, from the insightful hygienists to the Office Manager that helped me navigate payment options. The staff is very patient-oriented, hoping to be a partner and educational resource for patients. Definitely a refreshing shift from patronizing dentists I have dealt with in the past. 10/10

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Delany Dental Care

Delany Dental Care has been providing the residents of Gurnee, IL and all surrounding areas within Lake County, IL and beyond with cosmetic and restorative dental treatments since 1984. When you choose Delany Dental Care, you're choosing a practice that is affiliated with many prestigious organizations, including:

  • American Dental Association
  • Chicago Dental Society
  • Illinois Dental Society
  • Academy of General Dentistry
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

If you and your loved ones need high-quality dental care, we invite you to fill out our contact form or call us at (847) 623-5530.

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