June 17th, 2010
TMJ, also commonly known as TMD or TMJD, is short for temporomandibular disorder and is a condition that affects the jaw, muscles in the neck and head and the TMJ joints next to each ear. The TMJ joint is responsible for coordinating movements that lead to eating, drinking and talking so any complaint in the area can have a significant impact on the life of the patient.
The main symptom of TMJ is unfortunately pain. This usually occurs when the patient is chewing or yawning, or any other extended movement of the TM joint. There may also be a painful ringing or tinnitus in the ear. Other major symptoms include swelling around the joint, a change in the bite and profile and trouble swallowing.
One of the major problems when diagnosing TMJ is that a lot of these symptoms can be caused by manifold other conditions, some of which are far more likely to occur. This means that TMJ is often far down the list of diagnoses. Your West London dentist, if they suspect TMJ, will conduct something called a clench test. This involves clenching the jaw to assess whether there is a structural disorder that could be TMJ.
In most cases, treatment of TMJ will involve some level of orthodontics. In some severe cases, there may be a need for surgery but most bite misalignments can be cured with orthodontic treatment. During treatment, it may be necessary to wear a mouth guard to protect the lower teeth. There are various other treatments your dentist will be able to explain upon diagnosis of TMJ. If your jaw joints hurt or are swollen, then contact a dentist and ask for a test for TMJ.
May 2nd, 2010
One of the most common ways to replace missing teeth is to construct a dental bridge. Dental bridges are made using two dental crowns, attached either side of the vacant tooth space supporting an artificial tooth called a pontic. This creates the appearance of a full set of teeth, restoring the cosmetic appearance and also the functionality of the tooth.
It is important to replace missing teeth for a number of reasons. Missing teeth leave hollows in the gums, which can be breeding grounds for bacteria. This can cause further damage to the other teeth, resulting in further tooth loss. Missing teeth also encourage the remaining teeth to lean into the gaps and also rotate. This can cause interruptions in bite that can cause bruxism and painful jaw conditions such as TMJ.
One or more missing teeth can also cause problems with facial tissue. The teeth act as rigid supports for the facial muscles and if they are missing can cause unattractive sagging. A dental bridge will restore the support offered by real teeth and prevent other teeth moving around in the dental arc.
Although dental bridges are usually made using dental crowns, if the adjacent teeth are in good enough condition then a City of London dentist may choose to attach the pontic using resin bonded strips. This will remove the need for any unnecessary enamel removal which is often needed before fitting a dental crown. There are other dental restorations available in the form of dental implants and partial dentures but many patients opt to have bridges because they are affordable and involve minimal surgery. If you have suffered a missing tooth and are keen to replace it, ask your dentist about the possibilities of dental bridges.
December 20th, 2009
TMJ is a disorder affecting the temporomandibular joints, or jaw joints, located in front of each ear, connecting the jaw to the skull. This joint is responsible for all movement of the jawbone including eating and talking so any disorder can be particularly serious. Approximately one in ten people in the UK suffer from a TMJ disorder of some description, although many may have no idea that’s what is causing the pain.
The exact cause of TMJ is not known but many contributing causes include stress, arthritis and hormonal change. However, it is likely that one of the key causes is an interruption of bite in the mouth leading to irritation and sub-conscious teeth grinding. This can cause tension to build up in the joint leading to painful TMJ.
Diagnosing a TMJ can be very confusing but will usually involve a dentist conducting a clench test to see if the joint hurts when clenching the teeth. Further diagnostic tests can be carried out if the cause of the problem is not clear. Unfortunately for sufferers, the most prevalent symptom is pain. This can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers and heat packs. More permanent relief can only really be sought from a dentist fitting a dental appliance to prevent any bite misalignment during sleep.
West London dentists are fully trained and equipped to diagnose and treat the pain of TMJ. If you are suffering from a painful face, jaw or neck and have been unable to get to the root of the problem with conventional diagnoses, make an appointment to see a dentist and ask about TMJ.
November 16th, 2009
Temporomandibular disorder, more commonly know as TMJ, affects the tempromandibular joint, a part of the head that includes the hinge of the lower jaw and the temporal bone of the skull below the ear. This is the area of the head that controls chewing, biting and all other movements of the jaw. This means that TMJ can cause pain when carrying out the simplest of activity such as eating and talking. This pain can range from mild to severe and intermittent to constant.
It was commonly though that TMJ was caused by emotional or psychological disorders such as stress, but common opinion seems to favour a wider variety of causes. One of the most common causes is a problem affecting the bite. This is the way the top and bottom teeth sit together and can be caused by any alterations caused in either dental arc. For example, a knocked out or chipped tooth could alter the way the teeth sit together. This can cause muscular problems in the areas around the jawbone which lead to TMJ. In other cases it is believed that TMJ is caused by a head trauma such as a sudden jolt. This can cause misalignment of the joint that affects its movement.
Unfortunately, the most common symptom for TMJ is pain. Diagnosis usually follows a period of pain in the patient, which can spread to the neck and shoulders. The dentist will conduct a clench test, which sees whether the teeth and jaw hurt when the top and bottom teeth are clenched together. If diagnosed, the dentist will make moulds of the teeth and bite and mount them on an instrument called an articulator. This mimics the movement of the jaw so that the dentist can ascertain what is causing the pain.
Temporary relief can be had from TMJ by taking over-the-counter pain medication. Hot and cold packs also provide some relief from muscular pain. The dentist may also advise preventative measures such as limiting jaw movement and staying away from crunchy or chewy foods.
Long-term treatments are usually in the form of physical therapy and medication, although it is increasingly being found that dental appliances such as a mouth guard or splint can be used to improve bite and limit the causes of TMJ.
If you are experiencing unexplained pain in the jaw, head or neck, make an appointment to see a London W1 dentist. There is an end to this painful condition with the correct diagnosis and treatment form a trained dentist.
November 13th, 2009
For patients who have lost teeth and are looking for an artificial dental substitute, the most realistic and sturdy option is a dental implant. This takes the form of a screw implanted into the jawbone to act as an anchor for a dental crown. This provides a more authentic level of rigidity when compared with other dental substitutes.
Losing a tooth, either from a head trauma or as the result of tooth decay can be a painful and embarrassing experience. A missing tooth can cause patients to be reluctant too smile or make eye contact and could be the underlying cause of a loss of confidence. But a missing tooth also has more long-term physical consequences. AA build up of bacteria can occur in the hollow left by the tooth. This hollow is difficult to clean and can lead to unpleasant infection sin the mouth. Vacant space in the dental arc can also encourage the remaining teeth to shift about and lean. This can cause painful jaw conditions called TMJs and lead to unpleasant and sub-conscious teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.
Therefore, it is important to replace missing teeth for physical reasons as well as cosmetic. There are other dental substitutes available such as partial dentures and dental bridges but many patients find that these do not provide the necessary degree of stability. Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular with both dentists and patients as a long-term solution to a missing tooth.
The procedure is usually carried out in three visits to the dentist. During the first visit the dentist will implant the screw, usually made of titanium or other non-harmful and strong metal, into the jawbone using a drill. Once in place this will be left for several weeks to fuse with bone and tissue in a process called osseointergration. Once the screw is firm enough, the dentist attaches a post and temporary crown. The final visit will be the fitting of the permanent crown.
Dental implants are as close to real teeth as are available. Because the root of the implant is secured to the jawbone like a real tooth, it acts and feels like a real tooth. If you have a missing tooth or are looking to replace an earlier dental substitute, make an appointment to see a London W1 dentist.
November 11th, 2009
Having a tooth knocked out or losing it to dental decay can be a very painful experience but people rarely consider the pain and anxiety that comes as a result of a missing tooth. Firstly, a missing tooth can be very embarrassing, especially in the teeth visible when smiling or talking. This can have serious repercussions for a patient’s self-confidence and esteem. It can cause people to be reluctant to smile and make eye contact, two of the most important ways we have of communicating.
But a missing tooth can have more than just psychological effects on a patient. A missing tooth in the dental arc can create a breeding ground for bacteria. Because the soft tissue is difficult to clean with a regular brush, it needs special attention to keep the hollow clean and prevent the spread of dangerous infections. A vacant space in the arc can also cause the remaining teeth to lean and shift about. This can cause irritating alterations to bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together when the mouth is closed). If left untreated this irritation can develop into a painful jaw condition called TMJ. It can also be the cause of sub-conscious teeth grinding known as bruxism. In cases where more than one tooth is lost, the loss of the rigid teeth structure can cause the facial tissue to sink, a process which becomes irreversible of not addressed in sufficient time.
It is therefore important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. One of the most common artificial dental substitutes is called a dental bridge. This involves making a bridge from an artificial tooth attached to existing teeth on either side of the gap. If teeth are healthy and strong, the artificial tooth, known as a pontic from the Latin word for bridge, is attached with resin-bonded strips. If the teeth are not of sufficient quality the pontic will be attached to crowns cemented over the adjacent teeth.
Dental bridges are effective substitutes for real teeth. They are fixed substitutes unlike partial dentures or dental plates, so patients do not have to worry about the embarrassment of them falling out. If properly cared for and cleaned, a dental bridge can last for more than ten years. If you have suffered the pain of a knocked out or decayed tooth, ask a West London dentist about a dental bridge and you could restore your teeth to full functionality and restore their cosmetic appearance.
October 22nd, 2009
Patients who have missing teeth can sometimes suffer with painful jaw disorders called TMJ. This happens because the remaining teeth lean into the gap left by the missing teeth. This alters the way the top and bottom teeth sit together, known as the the bite, and can cause painful alignment problems.
Tooth loss is just one cause of TMJ and there is some argument about what can actually lead to this painful disorder. Many physicians think it may be caused by stress and the related unconscious teeth grinding, or bruxism as it is also known. This may well be the cause of TMJ but it is undoubtedly caused by some of the more common dental issues such as tooth loss.
TMJ is a disorder that affects the major bones and joints in the head, specifically the jaw which is also known as the temporomandibular joint (this joint lends its name to the condition). Because the joint is so regularly in use, it is vital for talking and eating, TMJ can be a particularly irritating condition rendering the most mundane of tasks excruciating. Sufferers of TMJ complain of pain that covers the whole spectrum from minor to severe and intermittent to permanent. As anyone who has experienced pain in the jaw will tell you, it is no joke and can be extremely unpleasant if not properly treated.
Unfortunately for sufferers of TMJ the main symptom is pain. This usually manifests itself in the jawbone but can also appear in the neck and face and, in severe cases, in the ear causing temporary hearing loss. Dentists can test for TMJ by performing the clench test as part of your regular check up. The test involves fully clenching the teeth together to ascertain if it is causing any pain. This may indicate a change in bite which could lead to TMJ. If TMJ is suspected the dentist can carry out further inspection of the teeth and jawbone and possibly refer you to a surgeon should he suspect TMJ.
Patients can get short-term relief from TMJ with over the counter pain relief. The use of hot and cold packs can also minims the swelling and pain caused by TMJ. If you are suffering unexplained pain in the neck, face or jaw ask a West London dentist to perform a test for TMJ at your next appointment.
