You did a great job for me. It’s hard for me to express in words what I want to say, however, I once heard it said that:

“The person who works with his hands is a laborer.
The person who works with his hands and mind is a craftsman.
But the person who works with his hands, mind and heart is an artist”

Thanks for performing dental artistry on me. I believe I could not have been in better hands.

Continued Blessings to you all.

Gratefully Yours,

M.L.

How common are TMJ Disorders?

And estimated 1 in 10 people have symptoms in their jaw joint at some time in their lives. Out of these people who know or suspect that they have TMJ, only 1 in 20 will consult a doctor.

What are common symptoms of TMJ Disorders?

TMJ symptoms are mostly chronic and can include headaches, ear pain, fullness of the ear, ringing in the ear, hearing strange sounds, and dizziness. About 80 percent of patients with TMJ complain of headaches or other facial pain. Pain is often increased by opening/closing the jaw or exposure to cold weather.

Can TMJ Disorders be treated?

Yes, TMJ disorders can be treated. Initial treatments to relieve pain typically include heat or ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Slowly and occasionally opening and closing the jaw, with massages along the lower jaw will also greatly decrease pain and increase the range of motion and strength of the joint. Your dentist may also fit you with a splint – a mouth guard worn at night to help reduce jaw clenching and teeth grinding. As a last resort, surgery may be recommended.

How do you know if you have a TMJ Disorder?

A complete medical and dental evaluation is necessary to evaluate patients with suspected TMJ disorders. Be sure to visit with your dentist or physician to learn about treatment options.

Treatment Planning

Whether your cosmetic dentist calls it a full mouth reconstruction or a smile makeover, the process is typically the same. The first step is for you to meet with your dentist for a consultation. The dentist will not only exam your teeth, but also ask you what desired results you hope to achieve. Following this discussion and exam, your dentist will work with you to develop a treatment plan. Depending on the extensiveness of your needs, your dentist will most likely create a multi-step plan, since it may take several visits to complete a full mouth reconstruction.

Customized Procedures

If you have issues with your bite or with headaches caused by a misalignment of your jaw, your dentist will most likely focus on that problem first and will administer TMJ disorder treatments, which could include dental splints or mouth guards. For missing teeth, your dentist will work with you to decide if you should get fitted for dentures, have a bridge placed, or have dental implants placed by an implant dentist. If you have a crooked smile, your dentist could suggest traditional braces, Invisalign® aligners, or porcelain dental veneers. Dental veneers may also be a solution for gapped, discolored, or chipped teeth. In addition to veneers, dental bonding and teeth whitening may be used to treat your smile.

Exceptional Results

Once your dentist completes your cosmetic and restorative dental procedures, you will have a new smile that not only functions properly, but also looks beautiful.

Enhancing Your Smile

A smile makeover can correct cracks, chips, discoloration, crooked teeth, missing teeth, visible fillings, misaligned bites, flawed gum lines, and other imperfections. These and other dental problems that can impact the look of your smile and overall appearance can be remedied through a comprehensive smile makeover.

Customized Treatment Options

If you plan to have a smile makeover, you can work with your cosmetic dentist to customize the procedure exactly as you would like. The dentist will evaluate the overall condition and health of your teeth as well as their color, shape, and bite alignment. Once these factors have been evaluated, your dentist will recommend to you a combination of procedures.

A dentist may suggest porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns or caps, porcelain fillings, bridges, bonding, or teeth whitening. If missing teeth are a concern, you may also need to meet with an implant dentist to discuss your candidacy for dental implants or other restorative treatments. These procedures can be used in different combinations depending on your individual needs and goals.

To get started on the path to a brilliant new smile, contact your cosmetic dentist today to schedule a smile makeover consultation.