Understanding TMJ Symptoms and Pain

If you’ve experienced symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction — sometimes referred to as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) — you may already have discovered that the symptoms and causes of the condition are often not well understood. That occasional lack of clarity adds considerable frustration to a condition that is already potentially painful and debilitating.

Common causes include arthritis in or around your jaw, a misaligned bite or an injury such as a dislocated jaw. Other risk factors for experiencing the symptoms of TMJ disorder include clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth as you sleep (sleep bruxism) and experiencing high stress.

What are common TMJ symptoms?

People living with TMJ disorder often suffer a range of symptoms that includes some or all of pain in or around your ear(s); neck aches and headaches; tender jaw muscles; pain while chewing and yawning; an inability to open your jaw completely without pain, or at all; and even a clicking or popping sound in your ear when you open and close your jaw. In some cases, people with TMJ dysfunction even suffer hearing loss, something that makes more sense when you consider just how close your TMJ is to your ears and how interconnected all the tissues of your face and head are. 

One of the many frustrating and mystifying things about TMJ disorders is how these symptoms will sometimes seem to disappear on their own. We totally understand the relief you’ll feel when the symptoms ease but want you not to let down your guard. The absence of symptoms does not mean that the underlying dysfunction has disappeared. You’re at risk of continuing damage to your TMJ and of the sudden and unexpected re-emergence of symptoms and pain. 

What are the treatment options?

There is a wide range of options for TMJ treatment in Davie. Which option is right for you and your symptoms depends on the severity of your symptoms and any identified underlying cause. Here are some of the available options for treatment in Davie (ranging roughly from least to most invasive):

Mild symptoms of TMJ dysfunction not explained by any underlying dental or medical condition that could contribute to jaw pain are often eased simply by eating softer foods and using ice packs when symptoms are at their worst. 

If your symptoms may be related to — or worsened by — stress, stress management techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises and even gentle soft tissue massage in the affected area may provide some relief. 

Wearing a mouthguard while you sleep at night can realign the position of your jaw and adjust the way your teeth meet. Doing so can reduce some of the tension placed on your jaw for the hours you’re sleeping. This is especially important and potentially effective if you experience sleep bruxism, the condition where you clench your jaw and grind your teeth. Bruxism places extreme pressure on all the muscles and tissues in your face, including your TMJ. 

Prescription medications to relieve pain, relax your jaw muscles and help you sleep can also provide some relief from TMJ symptoms. 

For people with TMJ symptoms that do not respond well to those less invasive treatment alternatives, more invasive options for more severe or persistent symptoms include injections and surgery to alter the shape and alignment of your jawbone and facial muscle structure. 

If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms of TMJ disorder, be sure to let a dentist near you know as soon as possible. Providing you with some relief may be a simple and quick process. Even in more complex and persistent situations, a dentist in Davie can help you obtain effective TMJ treatment near you as soon as possible. 

You Should Start Thinking About Getting Dentures If…

No one is in a rush to think about getting dentures, but it’s an issue that is worth considering early rather than late. Living for long without teeth is unhealthy, uncomfortable and damaging to your self-esteem. There’s no magic date when any particular person should think about getting dentures, of course, but there are a few indications that some sort of tooth replacement will be in your future and that the time is nigh to turn your mind in that direction. 

If you’re having any of the following five experiences, it might be a good time to get in touch with a  dentist near you to discuss your options for getting complete  or partial dentures in Davie. 

… you suffer from severe toothaches

You may have a tooth infection that has penetrated the interior of a tooth and is affecting the tooth’s nerve. Even serious infections can be treated via root canal without requiring an extraction, but the worst infections may require that the tooth be pulled and replaced with partial dentures near you. 

… your gums are bloody, red, tender and swollen

You should arrange an appointment with a dentist near you as soon as possible. Mild gum disease in the form of gingivitis can be treated effectively and reversed but periodontal disease that has progressed to the point of periodontitis will destroy gum tissue. At that point, your tooth will lose much of the protection and support they need. Your teeth may become loose and fall out or need to be extracted.

… you have loose teeth

Loose teeth may mean that gum disease present in your mouth may have progressed beyond the gingivitis stage. Unless a dentist near you is able to remove all sources of infection quickly, the gradual loss of gum tissue may end up with lost teeth and a need to obtain partial or complete dentures in Davie. 

… you have lost teeth

Even if you have plenty of teeth left, forcing those fewer and fewer teeth to do all the work of two full jaws is unhealthy and will cause significant pain and discomfort. While you may not be eager to bid adieu to your remaining natural teeth, extracting them and replacing them with complete dentures near you may be the best option for your health. 

… eating hard and chewy foods is getting difficult or painful

The remaining teeth that you do have may be damaged or decayed. Some of that damage may be attributable to overworking those remaining teeth to compensate for the loss of others. Or the tooth decay and gum disease that contributed to the loss of your first few missing teeth may be about to claim some more. In either case, get in touch with a dentist and let them know that your tooth loss is progressing to the point that dentures may be a necessary next step. 

There comes a point when dentures, even with their admitted limitations, are a healthier and safer option than living with less than a full complement of healthy teeth. To find out whether you have reached that point of no return, contact a dentist near you who will examine the health of your remaining teeth, gums and jaw to identify all your options going forward. There’s no deadline for doing this, but here’s our best advice. If you’re going to err at all, err by beginning to think about dentures from a dentist near you too early rather than too late. 

Tips On How To Heal After Dental Implants

Congratulations on the successful transformation of your smile, now you can flaunt the white pearly stones in peace without feeling self-conscious. The next important thing to do is to hasten your recovery, not just because it feels good to be healthy, but also because it is not pleasant to have to avoid certain foods, drinks, and even activities just because you went for dental implants near you.

Of course, the most important thing is to follow the advice of the dentist near you. They should contain instructions on how to minimize swelling and the right medications to use.

What Comes After Surgery

The implant surgery usually comes with discomfort in the following days. Experiences like minor bruising, gum and facial swelling are very much expected. You should also note that recovery time differs from one patient to the other, but so long as there are no complications, it should be over in a few days. A complication that may arise is; requiring a bone graft. This is done when the jawbone is too weak to hold the implant, however, even this does not mean doom as ninety-eight percent of dental implant procedures have been reported successful, especially if you trust our dentist in Davie. At Regency Square Dental, we take proper and detailed care of the process to give you a healthy oral condition, while still giving you comfort.

Here are certain things to pay attention to so your recovery can be as fast as possible:

1.Stay away from hot foods and drinks

You are very likely to have super-sensitive gums after the procedure. Stay away from any edible that is very hot, to prevent any undue pain.

2.Don't use a straw

You might not pay attention to this, but it is unhealthy for you after implant surgery. The suction from drinking with the straw could disrupt the wound and slow your recovery down.

3.Keep your body well hydrated

Just like it is with most surgeries, you should keep your body well hydrated with clean and clear water. Avoid any food, drink, or activity that might dehydrate you. 

4.Soft foods only

You should avoid the stressful movement of the jaw caused by chewing, and the way to do this is to eat only foods that do not really require chewing. Any kind of motion could irritate the wound and delay the healing process.   

5.Limit strenuous activities

Hold off on your exercise routine a little and rest instead. This gives your implant the space to heal without the risk of being dislodged. To be specific, the strenuous activity includes talking in the first few hours after surgery.

6.Quit smoking, caffeine, and alcohol.

Smoking, alcohol, and caffeine can hinder a quick recovery by withholding oxygen from your body. Remember it is important to remain hydrated.

7.Use ice packs to keep the swelling down.

You will feel very much better if you can minimize the bruising and swelling. An ice pack will come in handy for that, but if you don't have one, wrapping ice cubes or frozen vegetables in a tea towel works.

8.Saltwater rinses

Wait until the second day of the surgery, then use a salty mouthwash regularly to prevent bacteria.

Also, ensure you take the pain medication given to you by your dentist and practice good dental hygiene, by brushing the teeth around the implant.

Do you want to have dental implants in Davie? We here at Regency Square Dental will not just see you through a blissful teeth implant procedure, we will also stand beside you to see to it that your recovery is without any unnecessary hassle or pain.

Three Sedation Treatment Options to Consider

Have you heard of the term dental anxiety? It consists of a phobia of anything related to the dental area. To the dentist, the dental office, procedures, and especially, being afraid of the unknown. If you think about it, you don’t really know what is happening during dental treatment.

For decades, people have suffered from it. Fortunately, there are options to deal with it.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

If you are one of these people, you may benefit from sedation treatment in Davie. 

Sedation dentistry consists of administering a sedative to calm you before and during a dental appointment. Our dentist in Davie may offer you multiple types of sedation, and you may choose the one that suits you the most, depending on your level of anxiety and your expectations.

So, before you look for sedation treatment near you, we will explain to you the most common types to orient you and debunk any misinformation you may have about this situation.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

1. Laughing Gas

Nitrous oxide is the famous laughing gas. It is perfect for people with mild anxiety or for children who need to undergo short procedures.

Your doctor will place a mask over your nose for you to inhale a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide. The effects are immediate, and once they remove it, they wear away at the minute. It is safe to drive back home on your own after undergoing a procedure with laughing gas, and you don’t need to wait a day to resume your activities. 

2. Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is perfect for patients with moderate to severe anxiety. Your doctor will prescribe a pill (the sedative) the night before treatment and a half-hour before the appointment. In some cases, they may only prescribe one dose thirty minutes to an hour before.

You will feel drowsy during the treatment, and you may even fall asleep, but do not worry. It will be easy for us to wake you up because you will not be unconscious. You must not confuse this form of sedation with a general anesthetic.

Since effects remain some hours after treatment, you must arrange your drive back home. Also, we suggest taking it easy during the rest of the day.

3. IV Sedation

It is the most severe type, excellent for patients with severe dental phobia. You will not be fully asleep but will lose awareness of what is happening. You probably won’t remember a thing about the dental treatment, and you will feel calm right after your doctor administers the sedative through your vein (hence the name, intravenous sedation).

It is perfect for very anxious patients that need extensive dental work done.

Recommendations for IV Sedation

1. Do not drink or eat anything eight hours before the sedation.
2. Arrange your drive back home.
3. Postpone your daily chores until the next few days.
4. If you are taking any medications, consult with your doctor if they interfere with the sedation. You may need to stop taking them the day before or a couple of days before.
5. Avoid drinking alcohol for the next 24 hours.

Dentistry is not one-size-fits-all. Perhaps the best sedation type for you is not the one that suits another patient. You may schedule a free consultation visit with a dentist near you to discuss your expectations and make the right decision.

Our goal is to make you feel at home. We will do our best to help you relax before your dental appointments so you can take care of your oral health without any fears.

Straighter Teeth With Invisalign: One Step at a Time

There are several problems with crooked teeth. They can detract from your appearance. They can undermine your confidence and self-esteem. Crooked teeth can contribute to or worsen headaches. You’ll experience more jaw and mouth soreness and pain, and may even be more prone to unhealthy gums. As if those problems weren’t serious enough, crooked teeth can even make it more likely that you’ll snore. If you’re looking for a way to avoid, minimize or eliminate those issues, ask your dentist whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Here’s an outline of the steps in a typical Invisalign treatment plan to help understand what to expect. 

First Step — An initial consultation

This consultation step consists of a conversation and some investigations. The goal of the conversation will be to answer all your questions and to explain what to expect during treatment with Invisalign’s clear aligners near you. The investigation stage of the consultation is when we gather all the information needed to confirm you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and to develop a treatment plan. Your dentist in Kendall will capture images of your teeth to help us understand your current condition and to simulate your progress. They’ll also take digital impressions of your teeth that will be provided to Invisalign’s laboratory electronically. 

Second Step — Crafting your aligners

The image scans and digital impressions taken at our first appointment will be sent to Invisalign where technicians will prepare a draft treatment plan for your dentist to review. Before any aligners are manufactured, the dentist will review that treatment plan and make any modifications deemed appropriate based on your needs and goals. Once any modifications have been made, the dentist will authorize Invisalign’s professional technicians to make your set of aligners. Approximately three weeks later, that set of aligners will be sent to your dentist. 

Third Step — Getting you ready

The third step is an appointment with a dentist near you once your aligners are in hand. The appointment will end with you walking out the door with your first aligners, but there are a couple of other preparatory steps that need to be taken. First, many Invisalign treatment plans require the placement of attachment buttons on your teeth. Your aligners will connect to those buttons to attach to your teeth tighter and to produce pressure where required to achieve your goals.

In rare cases, the second step taken at this stage is Interproximal Reduction. That rather intimidating phrase simply describes the process of gently and painlessly sanding the sides of your teeth to make sure your aligners will fit smoothly and comfortably between them.

Fourth Step — Twenty-two hours a day and one day at a time

This is probably the part you’re anticipating the most when you imagine Invisalign treatment with a dentist near you — wearing your aligners. Your treatment plan will be based on wearing your aligners for 22 hours daily and removing them only to eat, drink anything other than cool water, brush and floss. Every couple of weeks or so, you’ll switch to the next aligner in sequence. Every few weeks, you’ll return to your dentist in Kendall for a follow-up appointment to confirm all is going as expected. 

Fifth Step — Finishing up

Once you’ve completed your treatment plan, your dentist will review the position of your teeth. In some cases, your dentist will recommend some refinements and, if necessary, will requisition refiner trays from Invisalign. If not, or once the refinements are completed, your dentist will remove your attachment and recommend that you wear a retainer at night on an ongoing basis. Wearing a retainer will prevent your teeth from shifting out of their new positions. After all, you’ve worked hard for your new smile and will want to keep it.

If you have questions that haven’t been addressed here, get in touch with a dentist near you to get all the information you need to decide if Invisalign treatment may be right for you. 

All About Amalgams and Composite Resin

Dental fillings are perhaps the most typical dental procedure that people undergo. You probably know someone who has one, or you do. 

Our family dentist in Davie will tell us everything there is to know about tooth-colored fillings near you, as well as metal fillings. However, you must consult with a dental professional before deciding what is best for you.

Metal Fillings

Metal fillings, also known as amalgams, were very popular decades ago. Some doctors still use them; however, aesthetics has gained much value these days, and many individuals opt for tooth-colored fillings in Davie.

Nevertheless, they do work and have benefits. Let’s review them and their cons as well.

Pros of Amalgams

Durability – They may last for many decades and even up to a lifetime.

Quick procedure – Placing an amalgam is simple because the dental piece doesn’t need to be completely dried, which makes the process faster and easier.

Safe material - We want to list the safety of these fillings among their benefits because today, many people believe that the mercury amalgams contain is harmful to their health. It is a misconception, and the amount of mercury that remains in the tooth is minuscule and even swept away later. You may find out more about this on The American Dental Association (ADA) website.

Cons of Amalgams

Aesthetics – They don’t look natural at all. On the contrary, amalgams darken your tooth, not looking pleasant to the eye.

You cannot repair them – Your doctor will replace the whole amalgam in case of a crack, unlike tooth-colored fillings that are repairable in some cases.

More invasive – Your dental professional will remove a larger área of healthy tooth structure before placing the amalgam to ensure that it stays put.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

As their name suggests, they are fillings that match the unique color of your teeth. They are made of composite resin, and a dentist near you may restore your dentition using these if the cavity is not extremely large.

Pros of Composite Resin

Less invasive – The procedure is less invasive, as the doctor doesn’t need to remove tooth structure beyond the decayed area. 

Natural look – You won’t even notice which part of the tooth is your natural structure and which one is composite resin. These fillings come in many shades, and your dental professional will ensure to select the one that matches your tooth perfectly. You will look and feel natural afterward.

Reparable – If your tooth-colored filling has a chip, it may be possible not to replace the entire composite resin but only repair the damaged area.

Cons of Composite Resin

Longer procedure – For proper bonding, your dental professional needs to condition the tooth before placing the composite resin, which takes more time than placing an amalgam. Also, the work area must be dried, which can be difficult in some cases, such as patients who cannot widely open their mouth or produce many salivae.

Not for larger cavities – If the cavity is large, it’s best to opt for other types of tooth-colored fillings, such as porcelain dental crowns, as composite resin may crack if the natural tooth structure is too small.

Not stain-resistant – Composite resin will get stained due to consuming colored foods and drinks in time. Porcelain fillings, on the contrary, are stain-resistant.

Selecting the correct tooth filling will depend on the wants and needs of every patient. Remember that every case is different, and dentistry is not one-size-fits-all. 

If you have any other questions, feel free to visit our dental clinic. Our team of experts will evaluate you and advise on the best dental filling for your case. 

How Clear Aligner Therapy Works

Do you know someone using clear aligner therapy (CAT) to straighten their teeth? Don’t be so quick to say “no.” After all, one reason so many people opt for straightening their teeth with clear aligners in Davie are clear. There are lots of people out there using transparent aligners to straighten crooked teeth without anyone knowing a thing about it. What do you need to know about this sometimes under-the-radar approach to fixing crooked and misspaced teeth?

How does clear aligner therapy work?

CAT involves wearing a sequence of clear and removable aligners to gradually shift teeth from their crooked positions to their properly aligned and spaced locations. Each aligner is slightly different than the one that came before based on dental imaging and simulations to plan the transitions in the teeth’s positions.

Those aligners apply controlled pressure to each tooth for a couple weeks at a time before the next aligner in sequence re-targets that pressure to continue their gradual movement. Aligners work differently than traditional wire and metal braces.

Traditional wire and metal braces pull your crooked teeth into position using brackets and archwires strung between those brackets. Unlike braces, clear aligners near you work by pushing your teeth. The push force is more gentle and therefore more comfortable than the pull force exerted by braces, but no less effective. Aligners work so effectively that teeth begin to move into their new position in a little as 24 hours. Does that mean that you’ll only wear an aligner for 24 hours before switching to the next one? No. In fact, you typically wear aligners from a dentist near you for one to two weeks before moving to the next aligner in sequence.

What needs to happen for teeth to be relocated?

Your teeth’s roots are covered with a substance called cementum. Cementum is connected to the socket of your teeth by a ligament called a periodontal ligament that anchors each tooth in its socket. Moving a tooth permanently requires influencing that periodontal ligament by gently but persistently guiding it through bone tissue. That is not a process that happens instantly.

As each aligner pressures a tooth in a new direction, the periodontal ligament on the opposite side of the tooth is stretched (the periodontal ligament on the side of the tooth in the direction it is being pushed is compressed). On the compressed side of your tooth, osteoclasts break down bone to allow the tooth to pass through. On the stretched side of your tooth, osteoblasts develop new bone cells to fill in the space left behind by your gradually shifting tooth. If you were to stop wearing your aligner immediately after movement began, the stretched periodontal ligament would not be strong enough to hold your tooth in its new (interim or final) position right away.

That ligament and those osteoclasts and osteoblasts need time to cement your teeth in their new (interim or final) position while the tooth continues to be supported and pressured by the aligner. You won’t switch to the next aligner until the ligament, osteoclasts and osteoblasts have worked together to be capable of holding the tooth in its (new albeit temporary) position without it slipping back into its familiar former position.

The cumulative repetition of this cycle under the gentle influence of clear aligners straightens your teeth. The best part? It all happens invisibly and comfortably while you are free to eat, brush and floss as if you weren’t wearing braces or undergoing orthodontic treatment at all.

Are you curious about whether you’re a good candidate for clear aligner therapy? It’s an ideal solution for many people with crooked or unusually spaced teeth. To find out if it’s an ideal solution for accomplishing your goals, make an appointment with a dentist in Davie for an assessment of your teeth.