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1192 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
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Living with chronic jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing can seriously affect your quality of life. If you’ve been dealing with discomfort in your jaw or are hearing popping or clicking sounds when you speak or chew, you may be experiencing symptoms related to a TMJ disorder.
At Crown Point Smiles, we provide thorough, personalized care for patients with TMJ disorders in Crown Point, Indiana, helping them find lasting relief and regain everyday comfort. Our experienced dental team uses modern diagnostic tools and non-invasive treatment strategies to address TMJ dysfunction at its root, not just mask the symptoms.
Understanding TMJ issues and how they affect the body is the first step toward feeling better. On this page, you’ll learn what TMJ disorders are, what causes them, how they’re diagnosed, and what treatment options are available at our practice.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, located just in front of each ear. This joint allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side. A TMJ disorder (TMD) refers to a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.
TMJ disorders can range in severity from mild, occasional discomfort to persistent pain that interferes with daily life. In many cases, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening.
There are many potential causes of TMJ disorders, and often multiple factors are involved. At Crown Point Smiles, we evaluate all aspects of your oral and facial health to determine the root cause of your discomfort.
At Crown Point Smiles, we start with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, habits, and history. We then examine jaw movement, listen for joint sounds, and evaluate facial muscle tension. If needed, we may use X-rays or 3D imaging to assess joint health and rule out other conditions.
We take a conservative approach to treatment, tailoring care plans based on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder.
At Crown Point Smiles, we offer compassionate, evidence-based care backed by the latest technology. Our team partners with you to design a treatment plan that supports long-term comfort and wellness.
If you're experiencing jaw discomfort, clicking, or facial pain, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We serve patients from Crown Point and surrounding areas.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. If you're dealing with jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, difficulty opening your mouth, or headaches around your temples or ears, your TMJ could be the source. At Crown Point Smiles, we’ll take a closer look at your symptoms and perform a detailed exam to see if a TMJ disorder is behind your discomfort.
That’s very possible. Many people clench or grind their teeth in their sleep without even realizing it, and this can put a lot of strain on the TMJ. During your visit, we can evaluate your bite and look for signs of wear on your teeth to determine if grinding is part of the issue. If it is, we may recommend a custom night guard to help protect your jaw and teeth.
Yes, stress can play a big role. When you’re stressed, it’s common to unconsciously clench your jaw or tighten the muscles in your face and neck, which can aggravate the TMJ. We’ll help you understand how stress might be affecting your jaw and discuss ways to reduce tension—both physically and mentally—as part of your treatment plan.
Not necessarily. Some people’s jaws click or pop without pain or dysfunction. But if you’re also feeling soreness, stiffness, or a change in how your bite feels, it’s worth getting checked out. We can assess whether that clicking is a harmless quirk or something that needs attention.
We focus on non-surgical, conservative care. That includes custom night guards, jaw exercises, bite adjustments, and stress management techniques. In more complex cases, we may work with physical therapists or refer you to a specialist. Our goal is to find the least invasive solution that brings you real relief.
Surgery is very rare and only considered when nothing else has worked. Most of our patients improve with non-invasive options like splints or bite therapy. We’ll always start with the most conservative approach and adjust based on how you’re responding.
It depends on the cause and how long you’ve had symptoms, but many patients begin noticing improvement within a few weeks of starting treatment. We’ll walk you through what to expect and check in regularly to make sure your plan is working.
Yes, the way your teeth come together can definitely impact how your jaw functions. If we think your bite is contributing to the problem, we’ll discuss your options—whether that’s minor adjustments or, in some cases, orthodontic treatment.
If your symptoms are mild and occasional, you can try simple at-home care like eating soft foods or applying heat. But if the pain keeps coming back, gets worse, or interferes with daily activities, it’s best to come in. Early treatment can prevent the issue from becoming more serious.
Just give us a call or use the contact form on our website. Let us know you're experiencing jaw discomfort or TMJ symptoms, and we’ll schedule a time to evaluate what’s going on and talk through your treatment options.
Address:
1192 North Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307