Before & After


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Problem & Solutions

Ramesh’s teeth were crooked, worn down & yellow from years of neglecting and grinding his teeth.  Not only were his teeth chipped and broken he was also suffering from jaw soreness and discomfort.  He wanted a younger looking smile that was straight and brighter.  With his busy schedule, he wanted results that would take months not years.  His grandchildren also commented on his discolored and Misshapen Teeth, which prompted him to get his smile done.

Dr. Patel straightened and whitened Ramesh’s teeth using a combination of porcelain veneers and crowns.  Dr. Patel also helped stabilize his bite using Neuromuscular Dentistry to help relieve his jaw soreness and discomfort.

Testimonial

“I’m so glad that my smile looks and feels so much better, I should have done this along time ago!”

Procedures Performed

For health. For beauty. For you.

  1. What is TMJ?

    TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, commonly known as the jaw joint. TMJ syndrome is a collection of symptoms that result from the malocclusion or misalignment of your jaws.

    Our jaw joints are in almost constant movement, given how much of our lives we spend in eating, chewing and talking. The repeated incorrect movement of the lower jaw creates strain in the attached muscles and irritation in the nearby large facial nerves.

    The result is pain. It can radiate throughout the face and neck, even down to the shoulders and down the arms. There might also be:

    • Numbness or tingling in the arms
    • Popping or clicking in the jaw
    • Chipped and broken teeth
    • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
    • Locking of the jaw

  2. How do I know if I have TMJ?

    Neuromuscular dentists can do a number of TMJ tests to diagnose your condition. They’ll use special instruments to observe your jaw in its resting position, to determine how it moves, and to map any misalignment of your bite.

    Electromyography measures the jaw’s muscle function and determines if there is any structural imbalance in the jaw-to-skull relationship.

    TMJ is often misdiagnosed and confused with migraines, as one of its most common symptoms is severe headaches. But migraines have a different cause.

    If you have any of these TMJ symptoms, don’t delay in consulting a neuromuscular dentist, because that pain can be dealt with.

  3. How will a neuromuscular dentist treat my TMJ?

    The first step is to alleviate the pain. To do this, your neuromuscular dentist may use electrical stimulation to gently massage the muscles. This helps to relax them by increasing blood flow and stimulating endorphin production.

    • You may also be fitted with a removable device that will help guide your teeth into better alignment.
    • After the pain has been substantially reduced, a more long-term treatment is done, which varies with the individual case. It may include:
    • Coronoplasty/equilibration (a procedure for smoothing and reshaping the teeth), and
    • Reconstruction of the bite using crowns or traditional orthodontics (braces)

  4. My friend told me that ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can indicate TMJ. Is this true?

    Yes. Ringing in the ears may be a result of jaw malocclusion (a bad bite), meaning that the jaws are not aligned properly as they close. An experienced neuromuscular dentist can determine whether the tinnitus is a symptom of TMJ or not, and will then plan a treatment program to realign the bite. When the jaw works properly there’s no pain in that area and the tinnitus should fade.

  5. My jaw frequently makes a popping sound. What does that indicate?

    That popping, clicking or snapping noise is the most common symptom of TMJ. It is usually caused by a displaced disc of cartilage in the ball and socket joint of the jaw.

    When your bite is misaligned, the cartilage may be pulled out of the joint, causing the ball and socket to rub against each other. Your neuromuscular dentist can restore your jaw to its proper position, eliminating both the noise and the pain that often accompanies it.

If you’re interested in the world-class neuromuscular dentistry performed in Dr. Patel’s office, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Patel, through our treatment coordinator.