Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and its Treatment

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to your jaw joint, which lies just in front of your ear canal. If you have had symptoms like pain or a "clicking" sound, you'll be glad to know that these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. These symptoms occur when the joints of the jaw and the chewing muscles (muscles of mastication) do not work together correctly. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your lower jaw to your skull. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

No one treatment can resolve all TMJ disorders completely and treatment may take time and your cooperation to be effective we can help you have a healthier and more comfortable jaw.

Trouble with your jaw?

TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. As a result, the disk, which is made of cartilage and functions as the “cushion” of the jaw joint, can slip out of position. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking, or grating noise when you open your mouth or trouble opening your mouth wide.

Do You Have A TMJ Disorder?

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     Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?

·         Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?

·         Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?

·         Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?

·         Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?

·         Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?

·         Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat, or yawn?

·         Have you ever injured your neck, head, or jaws?

·         Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?

·         Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?

·         Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?

·         Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?

·         Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?

The more times you answered "yes", the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder. Understanding TMJ disorders will also help you understand how they are treated.

Treatment

We have successfully treated hundreds of patients with TMJ disorders without surgery. Our philosophy is to try all conservative treatments before considering a surgical option. There are various treatment options that we can utilize to improve the harmony and function of your jaw. Once an evaluation confirms a diagnosis of TMJ disorder, we will determine the proper course of treatment. It is important to note that treatment always works best with a team approach of self-care joined with professional care.

The initial goals are to relieve the muscle spasm and joint pain. This is usually accomplished with a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant. Steroids can be injected directly into the joints to reduce pain and inflammation. Self-care treatments can often be effective as well and include:

Restingyour jaw

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          Keeping your teeth apart when you are not swallowing or eating

·        Eating soft foods

·        Applying ice and heat

·        Exercising your jaw

·        Practicing good posture

Stress management techniques such as biofeedback or physical therapy may also be recommended, as well as a temporary, clear plastic appliance known as a splint. A splint (or night guard) fits over your top or bottom teeth and helps keep your teeth apart, thereby relaxing the muscles and reducing pain. There are different types of appliances used for different purposes. A night guard helps you stop clenching or grinding your teeth and reduces muscle tension at night and helps to protect the cartilage and joint surfaces. An anterior positioning appliance moves your jaw forward, relives pressure on parts of your jaw and aids in disk repositioning. It may be worn 24 hours/day to help your jaw heal. An orthotic stabilization appliance is worn 24 hours/day or just at night to move your jaw into proper position. Appliances also help to protect from tooth wear.

Sinus Lift Procedure

The aim of this procedure is to raise the sinus floor in order to develop bone for the placement of dental implants. Several techniques can be used to raise the sinus and allow for new bone to form. Depending on your individual needs, we normally wait four to 6-8 months before putting the implants into place. After the implants are placed, an additional healing period is required. In some cases, the implant can be placed at the same time the sinus is augmented. This treatment could be suitable if you have lost one or several teeth and an important amount of bone.

Lots of people who have lost teeth in their upper jaw vigorously the back teeth, or molars and do not have worth bone for set to be placed. This is mainly due to the rupture of the skull; the back of the upper jaw has less bone than the lower jaw. In many people bone may have been missing because of periodontal or gum disease.

Sinus Lift Procedure

With age and tooth loss, the upper jawbone shrinks and the sinus enlarges. This often makes a patient a poor implant candidate. The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. These are air-filled spaces that everyone has. Often the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. Often the remaining bone is not enough to stabilize a dental implant.

There is a solution and it’s called a sinus graft or sinus lift graft. Dr. Singh carefully enters the sinus from where the upper teeth used to be. The sinus membrane is then gently lifted upward and donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone.The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option other than wearing loose dentures.

If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the sinus augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for several months, depending upon the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.

Zoom Teeth Whitening - What Can You Expect?

Do You Want to Zoom!?

The Zoom! Chair side Whitening System is a scientifically advanced. Patent pending, tooth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective and fast, very fast. In less than an hour your teeth will become dramatically whiter. Zoom! Chair side Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience of Zoom! In comparison to days of wearing trays or strips, make it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

Get ready to zoom!

The Zoom! In office Whitening System will make your teeth dramatically whiter in less than an hour. The Procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed. The Zoom! Clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel, which was made to be used with a specially designed light? The Zoom! Light and gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration. With proper care your smile will sparkle for years

Tune in to zoom!

Take your first step to feeling good, looking great and making a memorable impression every time you smile. You owe it to yourself!

What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Who may benefit from tooth whitening? 

Almost anyone. However, treatment may be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam,

Is Whitening Safe?
Yes Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product zoom! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

How long do the results last?
By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Weekender or Nite White gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.

How does the Zoom! In-office system work?
The Zoom! Light active whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substance while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom! Lights aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. A study has shown that use of the Zoom! Lamp increases the effectiveness of the Zoom! Improvement of eight shade*.

How is Exposure to the Zoom! Light controlled?
The Zoom! Procedure requires that all soft tissue in and around the mouth be protected .The clinician is required to monitor the procedure to insure any exposed skin or tissue is isolated and protected. Protective is required during the procedure. Light sensitive individuals, including those undergoing PUVA therapy (Personal +UV radiation) or other photo chemotherapy, or patients with melanoma, should not undergo the Zoom! In office procedure. Also patients taking any light sensitive drugs or substance, whether over the counter their primary care physician prior to the procedure. Anyone who is not eligible for Zoom! Chair side Whitening for these reasons may be an excellent candidate for Zoom!.

Are there any side effects?
Sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The Zoom! Lights generate minimal heat which is the usual source of discomfort. On rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure. But always dissipate.