Advanced Dentistry Blog

Not everyone pays attention to the mechanism behind our ability to bite and chew. However, neuromuscular dentistry requires detailed knowledge of the nerves, muscles, joints, and bones that work together in the process of mastication (chewing). We have to know exactly how this system is supposed to work so that we can identify and fix any issues that arise, such as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). Here is some information for you to learn a little more about the science behind the bite. Names to know:

• Mandible – Jaw bone
• Maxilla – Upper dental arch
• Cranium – Skull
• Trigeminal nerve – Controls chewing, delivers pain signals from head and face
• Occlusion – How top and bottom teeth fit together
• Malocclusion – Overbite or underbite
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – Connects mandible and temporal bone of the cranium

The TMJ is one of the most complex joints in our body, and is absolutely essential to proper jaw function and mastication. Unfortunately, most of us have some degree of malocclusion, which forces facial muscles into a stressed position.

Malocclusion causes the articular disc of the TMJ to become displaced, which we call TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). TMD might seem like something minor at first, but it comes with painful symptoms that are not limited to the mouth and jaw area. This is because the stress of malocclusion and TMD can impact the trigeminal nerve, which carries pain signals from all over the face and head in addition to its motor functions. If you have chronic headaches, muscle pains, or other symptoms, contact Rochester Advanced Dentistry right away to find out if TMD is the cause.

Thousands of people suffer from symptoms caused by temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. Neuromuscular dentistry concerns itself with restoring the alignment of your bite in order to treat TMD and relieve your symptoms. Over the last several years, technological advances in TMD diagnoses and treatment have given neuromuscular dentists much more accurate and effective tools to help determine and restore your ideal jaw alignment. In many cases, people who suffer from common symptoms of TMD do not realize that they may be related to misalignment of the jaw. The temporomandibular joint works as a hinge and is the only joint in the body that has two sides. When one side gets out of alignment, many problems may occur.

• Cluster headaches
• Sinus headaches
• Tinnitus or ringing of the ears
• Neck pain
• Facial pain
• Dizziness
• Migraine headaches

Using muscle relaxation techniques and advanced diagnostic tools like the electromyograph, Dr. Haddad and Dr. Doolin can determine what your natural jaw alignment should be and develop a treatment plan to restore your ideal alignment to eliminate your symptoms. Depending on your specific situation, Dr. Haddad or Dr. Doolin may use one or more of the following treatment options to restore your jaw alignment:

• Physical therapy
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Oral appliances
• TENs electrical stimulation for muscle relaxation
• Surgery

Many people see a reduction in pain almost immediately, and as your treatment progresses, complete elimination of pain is possible. If you suffer from chronic pain, even if you do not feel it may be related to TMD, seek a neuromuscular dentist trained in the latest technological advances in TMD treatment to diagnose and treat your pain. To find out more, please contact Rochester Advanced Dentistry to schedule a consultation with our skilled neuromuscular dentists.

Looking for a great Holiday Gift Idea? Consider a Teeth Whitening Gift Certificate. There are two different Whitening Procedures used in our office to achieve the best possible results! The tray whitening procedure allows the patient to take custom trays home and wear over a small period of time to brighten their smile. We also perform the Zoom whitening in office, Which is done right here in the office and takes approximately two hours to complete. We provide a high quality 8.5 x 11 certificate. It looks great and is sure to make your loved one "smile"! Call us at 248-656-2020 to reserve your certificate today!

By replacing older dental restorations, such as silver fillings, you can improve the health of your gum tissue. Bacteria gathers around these poorly fitting margins and makes it very hard to keep the area clean. The newer materials can "seal" up these areas and promote healthier gum tissue.

Knowledge of dental benefits that are available to you as a patient is important. The annual maximum refers to the amount of dollars that the insurance company will pay each year. This maximum is individual to each person on the policy. If your maximum has a calendar year renewal, it is crucial to know what benefits you have remaining as the year comes to a close. If these benefits are unused, they will not rollover to the new year. Therefore, if you have any unscheduled treatment with us, it is best to schedule before January 2010 to minimize your out of pocket expense. It is also important to keep in mind what you may have available through any flexible spending plans that could be utilized. Our business team can help you maximize your benefits remaining for the year by coming up with the most beneficial and cost effective treatment plan. We will be happy to assist you and to help you schedule an appointment before the year is over.

Chronic facial pain that has no clear physical connection to trauma or disease can often be associated with temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. This loosely associated group of maladies is tied to problems with the temporomandibular joint. Many physicians who are not specially trained to treat your facial pain may simply prescribe pain medication. A neuromuscular dentist, however, is trained to diagnose and treat any of the causes of TMD to help permanently relieve facial pain, jaw, neck and shoulder pain. There is no one cause of TMD, but the underlying problem is a misalignment of one or possibly both sides of your jaw. The jaw joints are meant to work in unison; if one side is out of alignment, a chain reaction can be caused leading to inflammation and various other problems. Some causes of TMD include:

• Malocclusion
• Trauma
• Arthritis
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Stress

Once the underlying cause is determined, fixing the underlying cause of the problem treats the disorder. If you are missing teeth on one side of your mouth and it is causing your bite to be off, a dental implant, or instant orthodontics may be used to straighten things out again. Bruxism and stress that causes you to constantly clench your teeth or set your jaw can be relaxed with physical therapy or dental appliances in order to reduce the stress on the TMJ. Chronic facial pain sufferers should seek an experienced neurological dentist for a consultation even if the facial pain does not seem to be related to TMD. Only a trained TMD physician is able to pinpoint and accurately treat TMD. Please contact the TMD specialists at Rochester Advanced Dentistry today to find out more about your TMD treatment options.

A great service that our office offers are life changing smile make overs. One story that sticks out in my head was that of a patient that was told by one of her previous dentists that she looked like a "porpoise."Susan had very flaired teeth that made her lip stick out. She has been a long term patient of ours and we have discussed redoing her teeth many times. It wasn't until recently that she finally decided to have her teeth done. We addressed Susan's upper teeth and gave her a new beautiful smile. Susan and her husband were thrilled with the results, and both had wished that she had done it much sooner. Susan now can not stop smiling .