Did you know that problems with your jaw can lead to frequent headaches? Your jaw is operated by your trigeminal nerve, which is also responsible for sensation in your face, neck, and head. If something has upset your jaw joints (technically referred to as your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs), it can lead to chronic discomfort. One possible cause of TMJ problems is bruxism, or routine jaw clenching. This habit can also harm your teeth, even to the point that you may need a dental crown for a damaged tooth. However, this is not the only way to disrupt your TMJ function. If you experience regular discomfort in your face, jaw, or head, you should talk to your dentist. (more…)
How You Can Correct Crooked Teeth Without Braces
Braces may be the most recognized (and recognizable) type of orthodontic treatment, but there are other approaches. If you want to straighten teeth that are crooked, or poorly spaced, you may have other options. Invisalign can correct the positioning of your teeth without having braces placed on them. It should be noted that Invisalign is not something that everyone can use. If your alignment issues are more severe, you may not be eligible for this treatment. However, for milder cases, it can be a discreet way to improve the quality of your smile. In some cases, people can hide mild misalignment with porcelain veneers. (more…)
Different Cavity Treatments For Different Types Of Cavities
Whether it is large or small, your dentist will need to remove active tooth decay from your teeth to protect you from an active cavity. At first, that cavity will only cause problems with your enamel. You may not even feel pain from it. Unfortunately, once a cavity has started, there is not a way to stop it without dental treatment. It will eventually eat through your enamel, and can threaten the living tissue and blood vessels in your tooth. The best way to restore your tooth after that treatment will depend on the severity of that cavity. If removing some enamel is the only step your dentist needs to take, you can expect to receive a filling. However, if more of your tooth has to be removed, you may need a dental crown. (more…)
Find The Whitening Treatment That Works Best For Your Teeth
A professional teeth whitening from your dentist will go beyond the limited effects of over-the-counter products to yield a significantly brighter smile. However, there are different types of tooth discoloration, and not every type will respond equally well to conventional whitening agents. Other cosmetic treatments can improve your tooth color without relying on these agents. If you are unsure if teeth whitening will satisfy your needs, you can work with your dentist to determine what the best method for whitening them will be. (more…)
Repairing Visible Dental Damage
Even if there is not a health risk associated with damage to your teeth, you may be unhappy with its appearance. These types of damages can be chips and small cracks, or discoloration after an accident. Many people opt for bonding to clear up these problems. The type of treatment you need can depend on what state the tooth is in. You should note that your dentist’s first priority is ensuring that your tooth is healthy, and that it can function properly. (more…)
Do You Know What To Do After A Dental Emergency?
If you injured a tooth in an accident today, would you know what to do? Many people know part of how they should respond – avoid touching the root, do not dry or wash the tooth, replace it in the socket if possible. However, this is far from the only relevant information. What should you do about an injury where your tooth stays intact? How should you respond if the tooth cannot be replaced? You may need to fit a tooth with a dental crown, or acquire a prosthetic tooth. Knowing what to do after a dental emergency has occurred can help you return your oral health to good standing. (more…)
Is A Whitening Treatment Right For Your Teeth?
Tooth discoloration can come in extrinsic form, or intrinsic form. Typically, when people think about what can affect the color of their teeth, they think about extrinsic stains. These are the stains in your enamel that can come from certain foods and beverages, as well as from using tobacco products. However, other people suffer from intrinsic discoloration, or discoloration that resides in deeper layers than the extrinsic stains. These issues can result from physical trauma, or from taking certain medications. Teeth whitening treatments eliminate extrinsic stains, but can be less effective when discoloration is intrinsic. Your dentist can examine your teeth and help you know if conventional whitening will serve your needs. (more…)
The Relationship Between Tooth Loss And TMJ Problems
TMJ is a common abbreviation for your temporomandibular joint – these are the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. Your jaw function is controlled by the trigeminal nerve, which is also responsible for processing sensations of your face and head. When you develop TMJ problems, the nerve can become aggravated, and you can experience facial soreness, and headaches. TMJ problems also make it more difficult to properly move your jaw. While many events can lead to trouble with your TMJs, having lost teeth puts you at greater risk. (more…)
Planning A Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
If you have simultaneous issues with several teeth, one treatment may not be the solution for all of your dental needs. Full-mouth rehabilitation is a course of treatments that aims to bring your oral health to good standing. It can be a combination of restorative work, cosmetic procedures, and prosthetic dentistry. Essentially, it is a long-term plan set by you and your dentist, where the end result is a healthy, good-looking smile you can show the world. It can also incorporate the treatment of painful conditions, like TMJ dysfunction. (more…)
Addressing Gaps Between Your Teeth
If you are self-conscious about the presence of a gap between teeth in your smile, remedies are available. Whether the gap is caused by an uneven row of teeth, an abnormally small tooth, or some other condition, you can work with your dentist to have it covered up. Because multiple approaches, like dental bonding, exist for treating this problem, you can talk to your dentist about the procedure that best addresses your needs. Some cosmetic remedies can take longer, or be more involved, but they may offer additional benefits. (more…)
