How a TMJ Dentist Treats Jaw Pain and How The OPPERA Findings Relate

As a TMJ dentist, we are asked on a frequent basis what causes TMJ.  In our experience, patients that are going through a stressful situation are more likely to experience the condition as are those that regularly eat things that are difficult to chew.  In the case of high stress, people tend to clench their jaw and grind their teeth while sleeping.  This puts enormous amounts of pressure on the temporomandibular joint, resulting in irritation or pain in the morning.  In its most basic instances, this may cause a headache or sore jaw but as the condition worsens some people are not able to open their mouth in the morning.  Since TMJ doesn’t happen overnight, there are clear warning signs so if you are aware of basic discomfort, we recommend visiting our office for early treatment.

Medical science has been unable to identify all of the causes of TMJ and, as a result, a study is ongoing titled OPPERA.  The study was launched in 2006 by Dr. William Maixner and Dr. Gary Slade and has followed 2,737 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 44.  In this study, they have followed up with participants to monitor how many have since experienced the condition.  The results have found an average of four percent of participants start experiencing TMJ on an annual basis.  This ranges from mild to severe cases, and they have found that those with mild TMJ don’t necessary go on to experience acute levels.   As a TMJ dentist, we prefer to treat the condition immediately because we have seen how clearly it works in preventing escalation.

Researchers are still looking into what all of the causes of TMJ are and one interesting finding is that those with heightened somatic awareness are more likely to suffer from the condition.  Somatic awareness is what scientist have labeled as an awareness of both internal and external factors.  For example, those that are more aware of smells, hot, cold, wind, etc. may have a heightened somatic awareness. This also applies to people that are more aware of internal irritations like a stomach ache or joint pain, in general.  Dr. Slade stated that it "is probably capturing some basic survival sensations.”  As a TMJ dentist, this was intriguing to us because it provides some information that our patients can take action on.  If, for example, you are more sensitive to environmental factors or find that a regular headache is more intense for you than a family member – you should visit us on the first onset of jaw pain.  Since those with heightened somatic awareness appear to be more aware of everything, failing to treat TMJ early may result in unnecessary discomfort.

If you do have TMJ, we will treat it by making an impression of your mouth and having a removable oral appliance created in a dental lab.  This device will surround both the upper and lower teeth, connecting them and preventing grinding and clenching at night.  This provides relief from pressure that can in turn reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Dentist  >  Cosmetic Dentist

As a Veneers Dentist, We Love Porcelain Veneers!

As a veneers dentist, we look for solutions that are simple and efficient - dental veneers meet both of these criteria. Made of the finest, thinnest strip of porcelain the veneers fit onto the teeth, or over the teeth, as a replacement to enamel that has been worn away, chipped, or broken. Often a small fraction of the enamel will need to be stripped away in order to make room for the dental veneer to fit flush with the rest of the teeth. Since the dental veneer has to take the place of enamel, the thin strip of porcelain has to have many of the same qualities as the enamel itself. As such, the veneer is extremely hard. This allows it to withstand the rigors of a eating a regular diet. At the same time, like enamel, the porcelain is brittle and is not designed to do things like opening bottles which can crack the veneer in much the same way as it can damage a natural tooth.

Not only do dental veneers have some of the qualities of enamel, but the veneer is also designed to serve a very important duality of functions. First they look and feel like the real thing, meaning you will never have a tooth that is different from the surrounding teeth. This is very important for the esthetic appeal of the teeth. Secondly dental veneers can give the tooth protection. This is especially important when there is some level of decay, and the tooth needs to be bolstered against further infection. The veneer takes the place of the enamel in blocking the damage from spreading further and in many cases can actually help to save the tooth itself.

Dental veneers can have a very long lifecycle. With the proper care and maintenance, the dental veneers can last anywhere from seven to thirty years. Naturally there is no real way to predict how long one of these devices will last with any sense of certainty. Each mouth is different, and additionally each person will take care of their mouth, and by extension their veneers, differently. As the mouth changes, and faced with additional complications like diseases, there is always a possibility that your veneers may need replacing. However, like teeth, veneers can last longer if you have regular checkups with a veneers dentist.

It is important to note that dental veneers won't really impact your overall quality of life. This is because they are designed specifically to ensure that they blend in and behave like a natural tooth. The veneers fit snugly into the tooth itself, so they do not stand out. Maintenance of the veneers is no different from keeping you regular teeth clean and as long as you follow a routine of brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist for regular professional cleanings, the veneers require no additional care. The only area where we advise a difference in your lifestyle is in the things that you eat and drink. Veneers do not stain, but the teeth around them do. Eating and drinking foods that could stain your teeth could result in your veneers being whiter than the teeth around them. If, however, you need to whiten your natural teeth, we can perform a whitening procedure in our veneers dentist office.

Teeth Whitening  >  Cosmetic Dentist