Here’s a little bit more detail on our sedation dentistry, also taken from my website www.dentalwellnessarts.com:
“Dr. Glenn L. Boyajian and his dental team are experts in IV Sedation Dentistry. Together, they help patients overcome their dental fears through Conscious Sedation Dentistry (IV Sedation Dentistry). IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what’s going on. The drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. Dr. Boyajian will let you know how long the drugs will take to clear from your body. Until they are cleared, you will be asked to not drink alcohol, drive or work machinery.
“An IV sedation is administered by injection, either in the back of your hand or in your arm. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and the length of time it will take to complete. The onset of action is very rapid, and the sedation drug dosage is safe and tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs. If you have a fear of injections, you will not be numbed until the IV sedation has fully kicked in. Dr. Boyajian will wait to begin any dental procedure until after the anesthetic has taken effect.
“Dr. Boyajian and his staff are trained to recognize and notify applicable patients of all contraindications/health concerns.
“Dr. Boyajian and his assistant have a Conscious Sedation Dentistry License from USC Dental School.”
I also have previous posts about my grandchildren, and how I was able to use IV sedation with them safely and effectively. If you have any kind of fear of going to the dentist, or fear of the whirring tools and any pain involved, try this. The appointment will whiz by!
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
Mercury-Free vs Mercury-Safe Dentistry
One quick thing I learned at the IAOMT meeting was the difference between mercury-free and mercury-safe dentistry. This is important for me to specify. Mercury-free dentistry is a good thing, but it only implies that materials and equipment a dentist is using don’t contain mercury.
What if someone already has amalgam (silver) fillings, bringing them into the office to be removed? Removal of amalgam fillings causes microscopic particles of mercury to be released in the air, and very careful measures must be taken so that inhalation or skin exposure is prevented. This is definitely the case in my office and with my staff; the term just needed specification. Mercury is extremely toxic and destructive to our health. Once it’s in your body, it’s very difficult to detoxify and remove all traces.
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
Changes Are Coming!
This last weekend, I attended the IAOMT Silver Jubilee Annual Meeting seminars in Las Vegas, NV. I was overwhelmed with the amazing discoveries made lately about mercury-safe dentistry, and some pretty nifty gadgets were introduced. I was like a child in a giant toy store. There was so much to see and learn, and I was able to make some great connections that are going to bring even healthier, more efficient changes into my office. Keep your eyes peeled!
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
TMJ and Cosmetic Dentistry
Are these two related at all? They are in some ways!
The biggest correlation between the two that comes to mind is TMJ ruining teeth or the alignment of teeth, therefore creating unsightly gaps, crookedness, chips, scratches, wearing, or even tooth loss. Cosmetic dentistry is to the rescue; but if these issues were caused by TMJ, they will continue as they have been and cosmetic repairs, such as implants or veneers, will be at risk for damage. TMJ may take a long time to treat, and it might be more practical to wait to “pretty up” until the root problems are solved.
However, if you have or think you have TMJ, always, always, always consult your dentist or a TMJ specialist before doing ANYTHING. It will save you great amounts of time, money, and hassle. Who knows? Maybe your case isn’t terribly severe and you can get that crooked tooth fixed faster than you anticipated! Yet if cosmetics are on hold because of undergoing surgery, the rewards of a beautiful, functionable smile are wonderful, even if you must wait a bit for the healing process to run its course.
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
TMJ and Gum Disease
How does TMJ relate to periodontal disease (gum disease)? TMJ actually never quite causes gum disease, but worsens an existing case.
A prime example would be one who bruxes, or grinds, his teeth because of TMJ, but doesn’t maintain good oral hygiene. If even an “insignificant” bit of gum disease develops, the teeth-grinding, and possibly other results of TMJ — such as not being able to open the mouth all the way or swollen joints and sensitive spots in the mouth — will only increase the speed at which the disease develops and turns into something serious.
You really have no excuse if you’re just plain lazy about brushing and flossing your pearly whites; but if something like severe jaw and neck pain is preventing you from brushing and flossing regularly or correctly, then you must see a TMJ specialist immediately. Gum disease is common, and therefore doesn’t sound very serious, but it is.
TMJ is difficult enough to treat on its own; that AND gum disease would be extremely painful!
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
Pediatric Dentistry, Children & TMJ
TMJ disorders are regularly found in adults only, as they are the age group whose facial muscles, structure, and bones are matured. Many of these adults, though, probably were showing early signs as children (i.e. grinding teeth in their sleep or ear pain with no infections), but had these symptoms either ignored or dismissed as “normal” by their parents or pediatricians.
Children generally aren’t specifically diagnosed with TMJ when they are young; it’s the “baby symptoms” that show up around this time and will later provide an environment that causes TMJ to develop and thrive.
It’s important to pay attention to your child’s complaints about physical discomforts. Sure, it may be nothing sometimes (kids DO say lots of things….often too many things!). But if you notice something strange with, for example, the way they chew, tired mouth muscles, inability to open their mouths all the way, or random ear pangs, you should take them in for an orthodontic examination. This is the best way to fix and prevent problems that could lead to TMJ disorders in their adult future.
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
TMJ and Neck Pain
It is often a bit discouraging to hear of people’s complaints about neck pain or headaches “with no known cause.” I’ve seen many forums, groups, and online of people who are miserable and not even their doctors can or will diagnose TMJ or suggest that they find a TMJ specialist. TMJ is very common, and it seems there aren’t enough specialists to go around, as these people often are forced to travel to another city or even out-of-state to fix their excruciatingly painful neck-ache or headache flair-ups.
Are you having trouble figuring out why your neck, temples, jaws, or your entire head hurts so much sometimes? It very well could be TMJ. Act now to find a specialist in your area!
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
Dental Treatment for TMJ
All that to say, if you have lately been wondering about unexplained neck pain, headaches, jaw pain, jaws locking up, painful chewing, grinding teeth, or crazy popping/clicking sounds, you probably have TMJ. It is very important to find a TMJ specialist (not all dentists are) and begin treatment, as TMJ will become much more difficult to deal with and will require more complicated surgeries if not handled correctly in the beginning.
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
How TMJ May Start
TMJ may develop slowly over the course of years and years or maybe a few months. Some people might wake up one day, discovering that their face hurts. Or maybe they can’t chew like they used to because their jaw just began popping or locking up. Or even rigorous activity in playing sports, or gnawing on some really chewy candy can set off TMJ problems that had been waiting to happen all along.
TMJ is the acronym for temporo-mandibular joint and, along with TMD (temporo-mandibular disorder), is what refers to problems and malignments in these joints that control your jaw. Physically, as we age or grow up, the natural harmony of the muscles and bones used in the chewing system can move out of place or may be altered. Continuous bad habits, rigorous activity, or just the natural way the body develops can affect the function of “small” details, such as how comfortable and efficient our mouth works when we speak or eat.
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
Tooth Whitening: A Conservative Approach
Here’s a great article on whitening that I found recently on the Dental Tribune. Be aware, there are some big words (have a dictionary handy!), but there is some good detailed information with pictures of the tooth whitening process.
http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/content/scope/specialities/section/cosmetic_dentistry/id/369
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
IV Sedation Dentistry
Here’s a little bit more detail on our sedation dentistry, also taken from my website www.dentalwellnessarts.com:
“Dr. Glenn L. Boyajian and his dental team are experts in IV Sedation Dentistry. Together, they help patients overcome their dental fears through Conscious Sedation Dentistry (IV Sedation Dentistry). IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what’s going on. The drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. Dr. Boyajian will let you know how long the drugs will take to clear from your body. Until they are cleared, you will be asked to not drink alcohol, drive or work machinery.
“An IV sedation is administered by injection, either in the back of your hand or in your arm. The dose will depend on the amount of treatment needed and the length of time it will take to complete. The onset of action is very rapid, and the sedation drug dosage is safe and tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs. If you have a fear of injections, you will not be numbed until the IV sedation has fully kicked in. Dr. Boyajian will wait to begin any dental procedure until after the anesthetic has taken effect.
“Dr. Boyajian and his staff are trained to recognize and notify applicable patients of all contraindications/health concerns.
“Dr. Boyajian and his assistant have a Conscious Sedation Dentistry License from USC Dental School.”
I also have previous posts about my grandchildren, and how I was able to use IV sedation with them safely and effectively. If you have any kind of fear of going to the dentist, or fear of the whirring tools and any pain involved, try this. The appointment will whiz by!
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com