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Misalignment of the jaw can often cause painful headaches and other bothersome symptoms.  Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on correcting misaligned jaws to help alleviate the many symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD/TJD).

Misaligned jaws can create severe headaches, jaw pain, clicking and popping of the jaw, as well as neck and shoulder pain.  Many Americans suffer from these symptoms as a result of a poorly aligned jaw.

Neuromuscular dentists have studied and thoroughly understand the muscular mechanics of your face and jaw and how pain in one area may be related to pain in another area.  They work to find the cause of the pain and alleviate it through restoring proper jaw joint alignment.

What Are the Symptoms of TMD/TJD?

Any of the following symptoms may be indicators that your jaw is poorly aligned:

• Headaches or toothaches.
• Facial, shoulder, or neck pain.
• Earaches or ringing in the ears.
• Pain behind the eyes and dizziness.

These could all be signs that something is not entirely correct with your jaw alignment.

How Does a Neuromuscular Dentist Diagnose TMD/TJD?

Your dentist will use the latest technological and medical advances to help determine whether or not your symptoms are a result of TMD/TJD.  First your dentist will physically examine the muscles of your head, face, neck and shoulder area to determine if there are any trigger points or muscle spasms. Radiographs may be taken to observe the joint components and determine if anything is out of line.

Neuromuscular dentists will also use computer diagnostics to create measurements of and track your jaw’s movement.  By three-dimensionally tracking your jaw’s movements your dentist can get a better idea on how to effectively correct the misalignment.

How is TMD/TJD treated?

The primary objective of treatment for TMD/TJD is to realign the jaw so that the patient’s bite is comfortable and the symptoms listed above are either reduced or eliminated entirely. One treatment option is known as ULF-TENS, or Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. ULF-TENS relaxes the face muscles by using a series of low frequency electric pulses.

The dentist may also design an orthotic that can be worn over the lower teeth.  The orthotic is small and fits naturally in the mouth to help move the jaw to its natural, aligned position. More permanent solutions to TMD/TJD may include:

• Reshaping the enamel of the teeth.
• Bonding an orthotic to the teeth.
• Reconstruction of the teeth with porcelain layering.
• Orthodontic correction, such as braces or Invisalign®.

Neuromuscular dentistry is an important field of dentistry that can help alleviate and cure pain that countless Americans suffer from.  Symptoms of TMD/TJD are generally very treatable- the first step in curing discomfort is finding a neuromuscular dentist who is highly trained and cares about you, the patient.

Your teeth and smile are important.  A great set of teeth is important for many reasons, practical and aesthetical. They ensure that you can properly chew your food, which is the first step in digestion. But a friendly smile is also important in creating great first impressions that can give others an idea about your personality. That is why it is vital to ensure that your teeth are taken care of by professionals who care about you and your mouth.

By making regular visits to the dentist, you can keep your dental hygiene in check. However, there are some tooth abnormalities, such as stains, chips, and unevenness, that can’t be fixed by a general dentist. Cosmetic dentistry varies from general dentistry because it focuses more on the aesthetical nature of your smile.

What is General Dentistry?

General dentistry focuses on the general health of your teeth. It is recommended that patients make regular check ups with their dentist every six months to one year.  General dentists provide patients with quality care while trying to diagnose, prevent and treat diseases that may occur within the mouth. General dentists may also be involved in some of these activities:

• Extraction of teeth.
• Application of sealants.
• Removal of cavities.
• Root canals.
• Polishing and general oral hygiene.

General dentists’ responsibilities extend beyond this list, however, their specialties lie more in the medical and physical spheres of dentistry- checking up with patients to help prevent oral disease or to treat a condition that negatively affects their oral health.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentists provide oral care that focuses on aesthetic improvements to the mouth that are functional, as well as visually pleasing. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the patient’s wishes for a beautiful, illuminating smile, while providing the patient with benefits for better oral health. Cosmetic dentistry may include the following procedures:

• Tooth whitening and laying porcelain veneers are the two most common forms of cosmetic dentistry.
• Dental implants replace missing teeth, filling those gaps in your smile.
• Smile makeovers create that beautiful smile you’ve always hoped for.
• Gum recontouring.
• Dental bonding for minor chips and cracks in your teeth.
• Invisalign® orthodontics to make your smile straighter without braces.

These are just a few of the procedures that cosmetic dentists may specialize in. Cosmetic dentists should be chosen based on a variety of factors, not just their patients’ before and after pictures. Careful attention should be paid to where the dentist was trained, what sort of technology they use, a friendly and caring personality, and affordability.

Discolored teeth can be disheartening. They can be a source of embarrassment, they can cause a drop in self-confidence, and feelings of insecurity may develop because you may not feel like you are projecting the right image to those around you.

Tooth discoloration is a common occurrence that usually is the result of food and drink habits. Certain types of food and beverages can stain the tooth enamel. In addition, a lack of constant dental hygiene can also contributed to stained teeth.

Is Tooth Whitening a Good Option for Me?

If the only thing about your smile that dissatisfies you is the shade of your teeth, then tooth whitening is an easy solution to fix this problem.  Teeth may need to be whitened for a variety of reasons:

• Teeth that are affected by fluorosis (which can look like white or brown streaks on your teeth).
• Discolored due to wear and tear.
• Stained from smoking.
• Stained from food and beverages, such as coffee.

Tooth whitening is a simple, painless procedure used to dramatically enhance the whiteness and radiance of your smile.  There are generally two ways to whiten your teeth:

• At-home tooth whitening
• Professional tooth whitening.

Visiting a cosmetic dentist is the first step in determining which method is best for you.

At-Home Tooth Whitening

For more gradual results, you might consider an in-home tooth whitening technique.  This technique involves a custom-fitted tray, formed to fit you mouth.  Every day, bleaching gel is placed into the tray and fitted to the teeth for a brief amount of time.  Sometimes you may sleep with the tray in your mouth and the bleaching agents will work overnight.

This process usually takes about one to two weeks for full results and may be for people who prefer a slower process.

Professional Tooth Whitening

For quick whitening results, you may consider having your teeth professionally whitened at a dentist’s office.  These procedures typically only take one visit to your dentist. Your dentist will isolate your teeth using a rubber dam, apply a small amount of bleaching gel to your teeth that is then activated by a powerful beam of light, or laser. The gel absorbs the light, causing the tooth enamel to noticeably brighten in about two hours. The process is painless and can produce stunning results, with your teeth transforming up to ten shades whiter.

Once you have undergone your tooth whitening procedure, whether it is the at-home or professional whitening, it is vital to maintain good dental hygiene and stay away from foods and beverages that may stain your teeth and cause them to revert back to their original color. It is also a good idea to stay away from cigarettes- not only is smoking bad for your lungs but it can also stain your teeth. It is possible to periodically touch-up your teeth if they do start to lose some of their bleached shine.

When you feel the pain in your teeth while using the cold or hot drinks or food, it means that your teeth have become sensitive. The pain may be little, moderate or severe. Sometimes even breathing the cold air can cause the pain in the teeth. This depends on the severity of the teeth sensitivity.

But how the teeth sensitivity is caused? Actually the teeth roots are covered and protected by a layer of tissues. When this protective tissue layer is damaged or removed the, underlying layer of the teeth is exposed.  This part of the teeth contains the nerve endings that are feel the cold, hot and other stimuli. Now when this area have become exposed to the outer environment of your mouth, your feel the pain while taking the cold, hot, sour or sweet food or drinks.

There are various factors which may cause the damage to the protective layer of teeth roots. Some of these are discussed here.  The very common reason is the hard brushing. Using the toothbrush with very hard fibres or doing the brushing with great force will damage the tooth enamel and thus cause the sensitivity.  So, if you have the sensitive teeth then you must use the toothbrush with the soft fibres and should brush gently. Some people have habit of clenching and grinding of the teeth. This action may remove the teeth enamel thus causing the teeth sensitivity. There are various teeth whitening products in the market and are so called the best teeth whitening products. Some of these products contain the excessive quantity of baking soda and peroxide. These two ingredients are the main factors of causing the teeth sensitivity. So only use the toothpastes with the right quantity of these ingredients.