Temporomandibular joint disorders (sometimes called TMJ or TMD) affect millions of Americans daily. Although many cases resolve on their own, some require professional care to treat. The source of these disorders is the jaw, but their symptoms can be wide-ranging and may be felt in your head, neck, fingers, and back. These symptoms can range from annoying to disruptive to disabling in their severity.
As part of our comprehensive dental care in Park Ridge, Dr. Mark Kuchta offers focused evaluation and treatment for TMJ-related pain and dysfunction. A member of the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, Dr. Kuchta is well-trained in treating TMD and provides reliable, effective solutions to help relieve your symptoms. This is one of the ways we use advanced oral healthcare to improve your overall quality of life.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joints, often shortened to TMJ, connect your lower jaw to your skull. These joints are among the most complex in the body because they allow the jaw to move in many directions. Every time you talk, chew, yawn, or smile, the TMJ guides smooth motion as both joints work together in harmony.
A TMJ disorder is more accurately called TMD, which stands for temporomandibular disorder. TMJ refers to the joints themselves, while TMD refers to the dysfunction that affects them. TMD occurs when the joints, surrounding muscles, or bite stop working properly. This imbalance can make normal jaw movement difficult and may lead to a variety of issues that feel hard to trace back to the jaw.
Many of the underlying causes of TMD are dental in nature, including crooked teeth, bite misalignment, clenching, or grinding. Other factors like jaw trauma, whiplash, unhealthy jaw development, or damaging oral habits can contribute as well. In some cases, the exact cause may not be known, but identifying how the joints and bite interact is an important part of understanding the condition.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorders can be challenging to diagnose because they don’t always show up the same way, and concerns that seem unrelated may share a single underlying cause. TMD is more than just a jaw issue—it involves the surrounding muscles, nerves, posture, and the way your bite aligns. As part of our comprehensive dental care in Park Ridge, Dr. Kuchta takes a neuromuscular approach to evaluation and treatment, looking beyond the teeth and joints to understand how your entire jaw system functions and to identify the most effective path to relief.
At Complete Health Dentistry of Park Ridge, Dr. Kuchta uses the K7 Evaluation System, a sophisticated diagnostic tool that tracks real-time jaw movement, muscle activity, and bite force. This advanced technology allows us to:
- Measure muscle tension and fatigue
- Pinpoint imbalances in jaw movement
- Determine the optimal jaw position for long-term relief
Because very few practices in the region offer K7 diagnostics, patients benefit from a uniquely precise and personalized treatment plan based on measurable data, not guesswork.
TMJ Treatment Results
Patients Share Their Experiences
“Dr. Kuchta is the definition of a professional and caring dentist. He took the time to explain every step of the process to me and answer all my questions.
Prior to the Myoaligner treatment, I suffered frequent and unpredictable nerve, jaw, and facial pain, as well as severe headaches and exhaustion. This treatment experience was truly life-changing for me.”
“Before starting treatment, I was experiencing frequent headaches, shoulder pain, general soreness, and an annoying shooshing noise in my ear. After starting treatment with the myoaligner orthotic, I felt significantly better within just one month.
Dr. Kuchta thoroughly explained the treatment process at each step and was very gentle throughout. I can honestly say that after the treatment, I no longer wake up with headaches, and the shooshing noise and hip pain are gone. I now feel a great sense of overall wellness.”
“Before seeking treatment, I consistently woke up feeling tired, often restless throughout the night, or unable to fall back asleep after waking.
I found Dr. Kuchta to be very thorough, and I appreciated that he explained each step of the process. The appliance itself is very comfortable. I immediately noticed an improvement in my breathing while wearing it and have been waking up feeling more refreshed… I no longer feel the need to nap during the day.”
“A fantastic experience with the kindest people and most knowledgeable dentist I’ve ever been to! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a dentist who also specializes in TMD.”
TMJ Diagnosis
Our Park Ridge dentist begins by learning about your health history and the concerns that brought you in. This gives him a clear picture of what you’ve been experiencing and what may have contributed to a TMJ disorder. He’ll then gently examine your jaw, muscles, and bite to understand how everything is working together. If needed, he may take CBCT imaging to get a closer look at the joints and identify issues that aren’t visible from the outside.
To fully understand how your jaw moves and rests, Dr. Kuchta may also use neuromuscular diagnostic tools that measure muscle activity, bite patterns, and jaw movement. These technologies help him see how your jaw functions in real time and where imbalance may be occurring.
Once he has a complete understanding of your jaw system, our provider may recommend a Myoaligner orthotic. This custom-made appliance helps guide your jaw into a healthier position so your muscles can relax and your bite can feel more balanced. Over time, this approach supports better function and steadier, longer-lasting relief from TMJ-related discomfort.
Before
After - w/Myoaligner
What Are TMJ Treatment Options?
There are many TMJ treatment options, but which one is best for you will depend on the nature of your TMD. These include:
Periodic TENS Treatment
For some people, the relaxation provided by TENS treatments can eliminate symptoms. Regular sessions can help calm overworked jaw muscles, reduce tension caused by long-term clenching, and support a more comfortable bite position. Periodic TENS therapy may also help maintain the improvements you achieve through orthotic treatment or reconstruction. For patients who respond especially well, these gentle sessions become a simple way to preserve comfort and support long-term jaw health.
Bite Splint
For people with recurring TMD, the problem may be their bite position. Holding the jaw in a strained or unbalanced position can cause symptoms to return, even after previous improvement. To help prevent this, Dr. Kuchta may recommend a custom bite splint that gently guides your jaw into a healthier, more relaxed position. Using K7 data and neuromuscular measurements, we calibrate the splint to match your ideal jaw alignment so it supports comfortable function throughout the day. Over time, wearing the splint can help stabilize your bite, reduce muscle tension, and make everyday activities like chewing and speaking feel more natural again.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Once your healthy bite position is identified and confirmed with successful splint therapy, the next step may be full mouth reconstruction. Sometimes referred to as Phase 2 TMJ Treatment, this approach restores the teeth so they naturally support the same comfortable jaw position created by the bite splint. Instead of relying on an appliance all day, your teeth are rebuilt to hold your jaw in its ideal, balanced alignment.
Full mouth reconstruction is a reconstructive process that may involve reshaping, rebuilding, or strengthening teeth that are worn down, damaged, or uneven from years of bite imbalance. If you have missing teeth, they can be replaced with durable, lifelike restorations so your bite functions the way it should from every angle. The goal is to create a smile that feels comfortable, works efficiently, and provides long-term stability.
By restoring the teeth to support your ideal jaw position, you enjoy the benefits of the splint around the clock—improved comfort, healthier function, and a stronger foundation for your overall oral health—without needing to wear an appliance every day.
Get Relief from TMJ Symptoms
Because TMJ disorder affects far more than your jaw, getting the right care makes a meaningful difference in how you feel every day. Our approach brings together neuromuscular dentistry, restorative solutions, and advanced technology to help you achieve steady, lasting improvement.
Reach out to Complete Health Dentistry of Park Ridge by calling (847) 696-3240 to schedule your TMJ evaluation and discover how personalized care can restore comfort, function, and overall well-being.
