Why TMJ Specialists Sometimes Turn to Botox® Injections to Treat Your Jaw Pain and Tension

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

One of the more modern, non-surgical treatments used for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders is BOTOX® injections. They are often used when other treatments have not worked or when you don't want an invasive treatment such as jaw surgery. Typical TMJ treatments may include taking pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants.... Read more »

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Posted by & filed under Sleep Apnea.

Do you find your days filled with chronic sleepiness or fatigue? When you wake up, do you have a dry mouth, sore throat, or headache? Does your sleep partner mention that you snore? If so, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep apnea. You... Read more »

Cavity-Fighting Dental Habits Can Save Your Child’s Smile

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

February traditionally rings in Valentine's Day with hearts, chocolate, candy, flowers, and stuffed animals, but it is also National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)! Long after Valentine's goodies are gone, your child's healthy smile can last a lifetime. NCDHM is sponsored by the American Dental Association, and each year the... Read more »

Start New Year’s Off by Teaching Brushing and Flossing

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

This time of year, your child is likely consuming lots of sugary treats like candy canes, cookies, cupcakes and more. While you know sugar is bad for your child's smile, convincing them of that might be a little harder. Instead, focus on teaching them how taking good care of their... Read more »

Safeguard Your Mouth This Winter by Limiting Cavity-Causing Sugar, Eating Healthy and Wearing an Athletic Guard

Posted by & filed under Endodontics, General Dentistry, Holistic, Oral Surgery, Periodontics.

Winter is here and if you are exposed to the harsher weather, you could find yourself experiencing more cold and canker sores, chapped lips and dry mouth from the colder, drier conditions of the season. The good news is, there are steps you can take to protect your mouth, teeth,... Read more »

What Are Periodontists and What Can They Do for Your Gums?

Posted by & filed under Periodontics.

Dentists who concentrate in the areas of the mouth specific to the gum, bone, and tissues that protect and support your teeth are called periodontists. Periodontists immerse themselves in an additional three or more years of in-depth, graduate studies after dental school. It allows them to graduate with knowledge of... Read more »

Set Up Your Child’s First Dental Visit Today

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

As a parent, it is an exciting time when your child's first baby teeth erupt, signaling that their smiles are developing right on time. Even though these primary teeth will eventually fall out to make room for their permanent adult teeth, these baby teeth are important to your child's dental... Read more »

Taking Care of Your Retainer and Your Aligned Smile

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

Once the hard work of straightening your teeth is completed, the next phase of your orthodontic treatment begins: keeping your teeth aligned with a retainer! You don't want any setbacks after taking the time to get them straightened. This means wearing your retainer as prescribed by our orthodontist. It will... Read more »

Can Massage Therapy Help You Find Relief From TMJ Symptoms?

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

Patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) will have issues stemming from the joint that connects the jaw to the temporal bones in the skull. When it comes to temporomandibular joint disorder (and its accompanying pain, soreness and stiffness in your neck, face and jaw), a common treatment might include... Read more »

Weight Loss Can Help You With Sleep Apnea

Posted by & filed under Sleep Apnea.

General health is a result of all the body systems working together, so when one area is suffering, it affects others. People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have trouble getting a good night from blocked airways collapsing and end up with disrupted breathing and snoring excessively. OSA affects anywhere from... Read more »

Orthodontics Awareness Month: How Orthodontic Treatment Can Help You

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

October brings visions of ghosts, ghouls and goblins for children, but for adults, it is also National Orthodontic Health Month. Orthodontists around the country (including us) like to celebrate this time by spreading awareness about the benefits of straight teeth and an aligned bite. Orthodontic Fun Facts - There are... Read more »

Special Care Is Often Needed During Post-Operative Recovery

Posted by & filed under Plastic Surgery.

The human body is a biological marvel rich with dynamic processes that integrate tissues, organs and systems that allow you to live a hopefully long life. However, the vicissitudes of growing older can start to affect its function as well as appearance. Changes in body composition, skin health and developing... Read more »

TMJ Disorders: What Causes the Jaw Joints to Malfunction?

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

Approximately 10 million people in America have experienced or currently have TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) with a higher percentage of women than men. This disorder often involves pain in the jaw and the muscles in the face that control it and are known as temporomandibular disorders (or TMD). This discomfort... Read more »

Keep Your Teeth and Braces Safe With the Foods You Eat

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

When you are wearing braces, nothing feels quite as important as what kinds of food you can eat. The wrong food can damage your braces or stain your teeth, particularly berries, curry sauce or grape juice. Protecting your new bands, archwires and brackets along with your teeth and gums quickly... Read more »

What Does It Mean When You Need a Tooth Pulp Capped?

Posted by & filed under Endodontics.

Endodontists have one essential goal – to save teeth. One method we use to save a distressed tooth is called pulp capping. If our endodontist determines that your damaged tooth requires a pulp capping, this root canal alternative isolates the decay from attacking the tooth's pulp chamber to keep the... Read more »

What Kind of Treatment Will Your Dental Infection Require?

Posted by & filed under Oral Surgery.

Tooth decay resulting in cavities should be treated as early as possible to prevent complications like dental infections. This is why regularly seeing your dentist is so vital, as cavities can be detected before they grow and damage teeth. Symptoms that might indicate having an infected tooth include intense toothaches,... Read more »

Using Scaling and Root Planing to Treat Gum Disease

Posted by & filed under Periodontics.

Have you been diagnosed with gum disease or periodontal disease? If so, you are not alone. A 2015 study affirmed that chronic periodontitis afflicted 47.2% of adults who were over 30 years old in the U.S. This oral condition, which is a result of the harmful effects of plaque –... Read more »

Protecting Your Children and Their Smiles

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

As your children and teenagers are headed back to school, you might be giving them a pep talk concerning the choices they make and avoiding influences like alcohol, drugs and tobacco. We all know there are multiple reasons why these items are not good for your children, but how does... Read more »

Head Back to School With the Right Tools!

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

It is that time of year again where your children are headed back to school with their new backpacks, notepads and pencils! If they have braces, they will need some extra items in their backpack and locker. Our team wants to make sure your children are equipped with the tools... Read more »

How Do Dental Checkups Impact Your Oral Health?

Posted by & filed under General Dentistry, Holistic.

We learn at a young age that brushing and flossing are vital to keeping your smile healthy. We need to continue these daily habits in our ongoing quest to maintain healthy smiles for strong teeth and gums. Seeing your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups at least twice a... Read more »

Now May Be a Good Time for a Denture Realignment

Posted by & filed under Dentures.

When you wear dentures as a tooth replacement option, the appliance can shift as your mouth adjusts to them. Even after you have been wearing your dentures for some time, as the gum tissues and jawbone supporting them changes, the denture can loosen and shift. When this happens, you will... Read more »

What Happens When Your TMJ Symptoms Are Not Addressed?

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

If you are experiencing TMJ, a medical disorder in the temporomandibular joint which connects your jaw to your skull, you may be feeling pain in the chewing muscles and joints or have trouble opening and closing your mouth. You might also be hearing clicking, popping or grinding noises in your... Read more »

How to Know If You Need Endodontic Therapy

Posted by & filed under Endodontics.

Did you know that endodontic therapy could save your life? Studies have shown that an infection from an abscessed tooth can cause serious health problems. This problem is preventable with root canal treatment to prevent the abscess or a simple tooth extraction. When getting to the root of tooth decay,... Read more »

What Do You Know About All-On-4™ or Teeth-in-a-Day® Implants?

Posted by & filed under Oral Surgery.

For many years, dentures were considered the only solution for replacing multiple or all missing teeth. But thanks to modern technology and advances in the dental implant dentistry, you have the choice of having All-on-4™ or Teeth-in-a-Day® restorations. This surgical and prosthetic process gives you dental implants and replacement teeth... Read more »

You Can Have Your Tooth Extracted With Confidence

Posted by & filed under Periodontics.

When it comes to your oral health, we want to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy so that you can preserve your natural teeth as long as possible. Although you do everything you can to keep up your smile, sometimes a tooth ends up needing to be extracted.... Read more »

Does Your Child Need a Dental Crown?

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

If your child has a badly decayed primary or "baby" tooth that can't be fixed using a dental filling, our pediatric dentist may recommend placing a dental crown. These are "caps" that are created to fit over the top of a tooth that has been damaged and will restore its... Read more »

Problems That Can Arise From a Misaligned Bite

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

Did you know there is a lesser-known cause for headaches that can be attributed to malocclusion? Malocclusion occurs when the jaws and teeth are misaligned due to abnormal positioning of the teeth when the jaws close. This can cause an overbite, underbite, crossbite or teeth crowding. While people often try... Read more »

Going Mercury-Free With Holistic Dentistry

Posted by & filed under Holistic.

Holistic dentistry is an option that is becoming more prominent in the dentistry world. What this means for our patients is forgoing mercury amalgam fillings and restorations which use mixed metals that might react negatively to the body. Mercury-silver amalgam dental fillings emit mercury vapor, which is then inhaled into... Read more »

A Dental Crown Can Beautifully Restore Your Tooth

Posted by & filed under General Dentistry.

If you have recently learned that you have a badly broken, damaged, or infected tooth, our dentist may recommend having a dental crown placed. A crown or tooth-shaped "cap" is a fixed prosthetic cemented onto a tooth to restore its appearance, form and function as well as strengthen the tooth.... Read more »

Take Good Care of Your Dentures and They’ll Take Good Care of You

Posted by & filed under Dentures.

Wearing removable partial or full dentures effectively replace missing teeth to restore your smile beautifully. And while your dentures will never succumb to decay like your natural teeth, your new false teeth still need to get the care and attention they require to serve you properly. Well cared for dentures... Read more »

Self-Care Treatments for Relieving TMJ/Jaw Pain

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

When it comes to treating TMJ pain, a lot depends on the severity of the symptoms. If the symptoms are mild and come and go, most of the time they will just go away on their own in a few weeks or sometimes months. In the meantime, there are some... Read more »

Better Sleep Can Help Your Smile

Posted by & filed under Sleep Apnea.

If you often find yourself waking up gasping for breath feeling like you can't breathe, or have been told you snore like a bear all night, you might have a common sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This happens when the throat tissues collapse and block your airways while you sleep.... Read more »

Teaching Your Child About Dental Health

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

Getting your child involved in his or her own dental health could be a challenge initially. You might struggle with getting them to understand the importance of brushing their teeth or even trying to make them care. Beginning your child’s dental health education early can help get them involved and... Read more »

Traditional Braces for Your Teeth

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

Traditional braces have come a long way when it comes to straightening crooked teeth. In fact, they are ideal for a variety of tooth issues, not just crooked teeth. They can effectively close gaps for crowded or overlapping teeth, fix misaligned or protruding teeth, align a bad bite, and match... Read more »

A Simple Frenectomy Can Make a Big Difference in Your Mouth

Posted by & filed under Periodontics.

Our periodontist commonly performs frenectomies on patients of a variety of ages, and this minor surgical procedure alters the oral structure for the better. The frenum is connective tissue in the mouth that has three main categories. These include the buccal frenum connecting the gum tissue to the inside of... Read more »

Did You Know That May Is Save Your Tooth Month?

Posted by & filed under Endodontics, Oral Surgery.

There is no tooth substitute that looks, feels or functions exactly like your own teeth. This is why the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is committed to creating awareness for saving your natural teeth, dedicating the month of May to root canal awareness as well as recognizing endodontists, the people... Read more »

Are You Aware of the Health Problems From Sleep Apnea?

Posted by & filed under Sleep Apnea.

Did you know that people suffering from sleep apnea are up to five times at greater risk of having traffic accidents? Untreated obstructive sleep apnea doesn't just affect one's breathing and sleep quality but their quality of life with potential health risks. With obstructive sleep apnea (or upper airway resistance... Read more »

Diagnosing and Treating Your Painful Jaw Joints

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

If you have jaw pain when you open and close your mouth, or feel a chronic dull ache around your ears and temple, you may have a TMJ/TMD disorder. This is especially possible if you also regularly grind your teeth while you sleep (a condition known as bruxism). Problems with... Read more »

Boost Your Teen’s Confidence This Summer With Braces

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

Summer is almost here and with it the start of fun recreational activities coupled with a slower pace. For teens today, braces are pretty much a rite of passage. The end result? A straightened smile they can flash proudly! Especially since a smile is one of the first things people... Read more »

Do You Have Missing Teeth in Your Smile?

Posted by & filed under Dentures.

Are you missing one or more permanent teeth? Do you have unsightly gaps in your mouth from tooth loss? If so, our denturist is pleased to offer full and partial dentures for patients who have one or more missing permanent teeth. It's important to replace lost teeth, for several reasons.... Read more »

Are You Looking for Relief From Your TMJ Headaches?

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

Do you regularly experience grinding or clenching of your teeth, or have a sore throat or laryngitis without an infection? Are your back teeth feeling sore or loose? Do you often have trouble swallowing? If you experience chronic pain in the jaw joints (the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, made of... Read more »

Is Sleep Apnea Leaving You With Sore Teeth and Jaws?

Posted by & filed under Sleep Apnea.

Did you know that one of the leading causes of bruxism (teeth grinding) is sleep apnea? When you reach the deep sleep stage, your body's muscles relax, and that includes your neck, throat and the jaw muscles, which keep your airways open as you sleep. It isn't a problem as... Read more »

Protect Your Smile From Damage This Summer

Posted by & filed under Endodontics, Oral Surgery.

Summer will be here soon with more and more people heading outdoors, increasing the risk of dental injuries. Although our team is at the ready to assist you in the event of an emergency, oral injuries can often be avoided and are preventable with good dental habits. Habits to Avoid... Read more »

Taking a Closer Look at Your Teen’s Dental Habits

Posted by & filed under Pediatrics.

Teens can often have poor oral hygiene or crowded/crooked teeth, leaving them more prone to cavities or other dental problems. There’s no doubt a lot is going on for teens, and sometimes their oral health is put on the back burner while they handle all of the other things going... Read more »

Benefits of a Better Aligned Smile

Posted by & filed under Orthodontics.

Spotting and treating tooth alignment issues early on is very beneficial for your teeth. This allows time to make repairs and align the teeth into their correct position. Your teeth are something you use to eat, smile and communicate with others, so it's important to take care of them as... Read more »

Spring Into Summer With a Confident Smile

Posted by & filed under General Dentistry, Holistic.

Spring has sprung, and summer is almost here! The sun shouldn't be the only thing shining bright this season. Your smile is a great feature to show off to friends, family, coworkers, social media, a date and everyone else! Need help to show off your smile confidently? Our team can... Read more »

The Evolution of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Posted by & filed under TMJ Blog.

When it comes to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ or TMJD), over 10 million Americans have it at one time or another, and 90 percent of those seeking treatment are women 30-50 years old. Still, the causes and symptoms of this facial pain are not completely understood, and it can be... Read more »

Can a Mandibular Advancement Device Help Your Snoring?

Posted by & filed under Sleep Apnea.

It's a bad idea to ignore persistent snoring, and not just because it stops those around you (as well as yourself) from getting a restful night's sleep. But while others may complain when you are loudly sawing logs every night, snoring throughout the night can harm your health, quality of... Read more »

Keeping You Comfortable After Oral Surgery

Posted by & filed under Oral Surgery.

Oral surgical procedures, whether dental, endodontic or periodontic are routinely done to help patients receive the care they need. One of the most common procedures for patients between 16-24 years old is wisdom tooth removal. For this and other oral treatments, pain management will be used to keep the patient... Read more »

A Sinus Lift Can Help Support Dental Implants

Posted by & filed under Periodontics.

When patients come in with damaged or missing teeth, dental implants are often an excellent solution. But sometimes implants aren't an option for those with insufficient bone height in the top jaw, or if the sinuses are too close to the jaw. For these patients to receive successful dental implantation,... Read more »