Cosmetic Dentistry in North York, Toronto a Dentist with Focus on Teeth Whitening, Dental Implants, Porcelain Veneers.
TMJ and Bite Problems
Bite Problems:
Occlusion describes how our teeth fit together and how we chew or function with our teeth. Each patient undergoing a routine clinical exam will be evaluated for occlusion, as well as the health of the jaw muscles and the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint).
Healthy biting patterns result in minimal tooth wear, comfortable jaw position and teeth that stable and pain free. Without healthy biting patterns, the jaw muscles and joints may become a source of pain or discomfort.
All too often patients find that their jaw muscles are sore at varying times or that they may have limited mouth opening or even that they have tooth wear or find that they are often clenching their teeth. These painful or annoying conditions are also often associated with chipped, worn, or loose teeth.
Healthy biting patterns result in minimal tooth wear, comfortable jaw position and teeth that stable and pain free. Without healthy biting patterns, the jaw muscles and joints may become a source of pain or discomfort.
All too often patients find that their jaw muscles are sore at varying times or that they may have limited mouth opening or even that they have tooth wear or find that they are often clenching their teeth. These painful or annoying conditions are also often associated with chipped, worn, or loose teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Bite Problems:
Signs:
Worn Teeth:
With normal chewing, biting surfaces of teeth wear ever so slightly during the course of our lives; However "Bruxism" which describes the grinding of your teeth with greater forces than normal chewing may result in excessive tooth wear and chipping. Bruxism can destroy healthy teeth and lead to sensitivity and eventual tooth loss.
With normal chewing, biting surfaces of teeth wear ever so slightly during the course of our lives; However "Bruxism" which describes the grinding of your teeth with greater forces than normal chewing may result in excessive tooth wear and chipping. Bruxism can destroy healthy teeth and lead to sensitivity and eventual tooth loss.
Loose Teeth:
With normal chewing, biting forces do not cause teeth to be loose unless there is an infection of periodontal disease (gum disease and bone loss).Clenching or excessive biting forces can loosen teeth that have healthy bone. In addition, teeth that do not fit together properly may become loose even during normal chewing. These conditions may lead to discomfort and premature tooth loss.
With normal chewing, biting forces do not cause teeth to be loose unless there is an infection of periodontal disease (gum disease and bone loss).Clenching or excessive biting forces can loosen teeth that have healthy bone. In addition, teeth that do not fit together properly may become loose even during normal chewing. These conditions may lead to discomfort and premature tooth loss.
Muscle/Joint Pain (Temporomandibular Disorder-TMD)
TMD is a collective term that describes clinical problems in the chewing muscles, temporamandibular joints or both. It can elicit acute facial pain. TMD can be constant or intermittent and symptoms can vary greatly between individuals.
TMD is a collective term that describes clinical problems in the chewing muscles, temporamandibular joints or both. It can elicit acute facial pain. TMD can be constant or intermittent and symptoms can vary greatly between individuals.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of Bite problems include sensitive teeth, pain or cramping in the jaw muscles and joints, aggravated popping or locking of the jaws or even head aches.
Treatment for Bruxism:
Nightguard Therapy:
If Dr. Waldman determines that you in fact do grind your teeth (Bruxism), she may recommend the use of a custom fitted night guard to be worn on the upper or lower teeth to protect the biting surfaces of your teeth and minimize and excessive forces in the jaw muscles and joints.
If Dr. Waldman determines that you in fact do grind your teeth (Bruxism), she may recommend the use of a custom fitted night guard to be worn on the upper or lower teeth to protect the biting surfaces of your teeth and minimize and excessive forces in the jaw muscles and joints.
Treatment for Joint and Muscle Pain: The Kois Deprogrammer
A deprogrammer is a removable diagnostic appliance similar to an orthodontic retainer that is worn over the teeth to prevent them from biting together. It is specifically designed to diagnose the cause of problems related to the bite.
Both Clenching and many forms TMD may both be simply diagnosed and treated through the use of a "Kois Deprogrammer" and bite correction. Though not all patients are candidates for a deprogrammer, (and only a comprehensive examination will determine the best course of treatment) the majority of patients with TMD respond well to this treatment.
Trained by Dr. John Kois himself, in Seattle Washington, Dr. Waldman applies his techniques for diagnosis and treatment of simple bite problems, all painlessly and through the technique of muscle relaxation and correct mandible (lower jaw) positioning and bite correction.
Both Clenching and many forms TMD may both be simply diagnosed and treated through the use of a "Kois Deprogrammer" and bite correction. Though not all patients are candidates for a deprogrammer, (and only a comprehensive examination will determine the best course of treatment) the majority of patients with TMD respond well to this treatment.
Trained by Dr. John Kois himself, in Seattle Washington, Dr. Waldman applies his techniques for diagnosis and treatment of simple bite problems, all painlessly and through the technique of muscle relaxation and correct mandible (lower jaw) positioning and bite correction.
How does the deprogrammer work?
The deprogrammer creates a little platform between the front teeth that prevents the back teeth from touching (biting) together. This action allows the muscles and jaw joints to relax into their physiologically ideal resting position without any interference from maximum intercuspation (the patients' habitual "bite").
In short, the deprogrammer serves as both a diagnostic tool and a way to temporarily relax the jaw and reduce muscle tension, headaches and excess wear on the teeth. Once the cause of the bite problem has been determined by Dr Waldman , necessary treatment options will be presented to you for consideration.
In short, the deprogrammer serves as both a diagnostic tool and a way to temporarily relax the jaw and reduce muscle tension, headaches and excess wear on the teeth. Once the cause of the bite problem has been determined by Dr Waldman , necessary treatment options will be presented to you for consideration.
