The First Step
Toward Relief
Before you can solve a problem, you have to understand it, right? At the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Wisconsin, Dr. Brunner and our team strive to empower our patients with knowledge so they fully understand our care recommendations. Our patients have often lived with uncertainty for a long time concerning their sleep and pain problems, and this page is meant to take that away so you can better understand your situation and begin your journey toward healing. Continue reading to learn more about what exactly TMJ/TMD means and our options for treating it here in Wauwatosa.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
“TMJ” stands for temporomandibular joint, and it is your jaw joint. You can feel its hinges right in front of your ears if you move your mouth side to side slightly, and it’s what allows you to eat, speak, laugh, yawn, and more.
Like every other joint in the body, the TMJ can sometimes develop problems and pain. The umbrella term that refers to TMJ-related issues is TMD, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. When reading about these issues, TMJ and TMD are oftentimes used interchangeably.
The primary causes of TMD can include nighttime teeth grinding, arthritis, a misaligned bite, facial injury, and sleep apnea. Basically, it stems from an imbalance between the position of the jaw, the teeth, and the nearby muscles, which can create tension and airflow problems.
A Different Kind of Healing Experience
At TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Wisconsin, we understand that chronic pain affects every aspect of your life. That's why we've created a practice focused entirely on diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders and sleep-related breathing conditions.
Unlike traditional approaches that merely manage symptoms, our comprehensive methodology identifies and treats the underlying causes of your discomfort—delivering lasting relief without surgery.
Precise Diagnostics
Advanced imaging and analysisCustom Treatment
Personalized care plansNon-Surgical
Conservative, effective methodsLasting Results
Address root causesCommon TMJ Symptoms
The most common TMD symptoms include:
- Chronic jaw pain
- Frequent popping or clicking in the jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Jaw becoming stuck or locked
- Teeth grinding
- Weakened or worn teeth
- A bite that doesn’t come together evenly
- Persistent facial pain
- Soreness felt during or after chewing
- Headaches/migraines
- Neck pain
- Ear pain
- Sleep issues, including sleep apnea and snoring
Start with a Simple TMJ and Sleep Screening
Do You Have TMJ?
Take our quick 2-minute assessment to find out if your symptoms may be related to TMJ disorder. Take TMJ Quiz
Sleep Apnea Risk?
Discover if your snoring, fatigue, or restless sleep could indicate sleep apnea with this brief screening. Take Sleep Quiz
Advanced Non Surgical Solutions
Combining proven techniques with innovative technology to deliver exceptional outcomes.
"Both Mindy and Dr. Brunner showed a lot of compassion and care when talking to me about this big step to treatment!"
"After years of chronic migraines and jaw pain, I finally found answers here. The team took the time to truly understand my condition. Three months into treatment, my headaches have virtually disappeared. I wish I had found them sooner."
"Dr. Brunner and staff are just pros at what they do."