Tag Archive for: jaw pain

I figured I’d end the series on correcting malocclusions with “pretty” thoughts… thoughts about the visible benefits of occlusal correction.

What makes your smile natural also makes it beautiful. A correct bite will show in a smile that looks exactly how it was designed to look, not only displayed by straight teeth, but by the rest of your face as well. Your jaw moves in a way that is no longer detrimental to the surrounding muscles and joints in your face; your teeth no longer inhibit that movement or acquire further wear-and-tear; and you’ll be feeling better overall, because unusual tightness or tiredness in your mouth area will be gone. Add to all of that the confidence of a pretty smile!

A different kind of analysis, called a functional and aesthetic analysis, may be performed during the therapy in order to ensure the longterm health and beauty of your teeth.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

This type of therapy for occlusal correction is temporary, but does a lot of good things over a period of time to protect your bite and its bad effects on your whole chewing system — even your whole head, down to your shoulders.

I’ve mentioned the MAGO way back when, and how I use it to treat TMJ cases. This is just about identical. It is basically a hard plastic mouthguard designed to fit your mouth in such a way that provides a stable bite and prevents further clenching and/or grinding of your teeth. The splint also relieves jaw and muscle pain caused by malocclusion problems. The kind of treatment you’ll need after using an occlusal splint will determine how long you wear it, and may even change the course of negative effects again caused by your malocclusion.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

There are so many reports, complaints, misdiagnoses out there for/from people who do not have the slightest clue as to what is causing their headaches or jaw problems. Years of switching from doctor to doctor and medication to medication can really bog one down; it becomes his/her lifestyle, always taking medical tests and trying to find out what is going on with his/her body!

This should not be considered “normal”, especially when a solution to all of that jaw pain, neck pain, ear pain, damaged teeth, and uncomfortable, ineffective mouth movement can be easily achieved.

Bioesthetic dentistry is based on aligning the teeth to work in harmony with the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) of the jaw to promote a naturally cooperative and functional chewing system. When your teeth are out of their places (which is often the case) — even slightly rearranged from growing up with a habit of grinding them, for example — minor adjustments are made in the mechanics of your chewing system, but major repercussions can ensue. Crookedness, wear and tear, unexplained pain and migraines, and discomfort are all symptoms of this problem.

However, bioesthetics is to the rescue. Treatment is usually easily carried out, realigning teeth and jaw joints to their proper positions, and allowing time for the muscles and tissues to strengthen and turn the correct movements into your habitual movements. Goodbye headaches, restricted/noisy jaw movement, and crooked, worn teeth; hello straight smile, comfortable chewing, and freedom!

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

(Taken from my website:)

“Bioesthetic dentistry takes the remedial treatment of each tooth to the comprehensive treatment of the entire body. Our diagnosing methodologies show us why you have broken down or worn teeth. Then we provide the means to regain the length, shape and appearance of your teeth, before they became worn or broken down.

“Based on the natural biologic form, Bioesthetic Dentistry works by arranging the teeth to function together with the alignment of the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ). Recognized world-wide as the “non-surgical face lift”, bioesthetic dentistry affects the eyes, facial muscle posture and overall facial form. The final result is a naturally beautiful smile.

“If you have any of the common complaints listed below, Bioesthetic Dentistry may be what you need.

Migraines
Jaw popping
Worn or cracked teeth
Jaw pain
Unsightly smile
Limited opening of the mouth with restricted range of motion
Unable to chew food properly
Poor digestion
Gum disease with recession of the gums
Sensitive teeth
Tired-looking or -feeling jaw”

Dr. Boyajian, Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

Always be paying attention to signs and signals your body gives you. If you’re hungry, eat something nourishing. If you’re tired, get some rest. If you don’t feel well, try to cut out habits that might be detrimental to your health. Make time to take care of yourself.

This includes your dental health as well. If, for some reason, you are in good health but still experience headaches, neck aches, ear pain, jaw pain, jaw clicking/popping/crookedness, bruxing, stiffness or pain while chewing, or any other unexplained symptom in your jaw/neck area, talk to your dentist. You may have TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint…the joint in each side of your jaw) disorder. If your dentist cannot give you very much information, find a TMJ specialist and call him for an examination. TMJ can grow into a severely restricting, delicate problem and is best treated when in the early stages of development. You won’t have to keep swallowing painkillers if the source of the problem is fixed!

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

TMJ disorder, or TMD (both acronyms for the temporo-mandibular joint….the joint in your jaw), is a common ailment that causes a wide range of symptoms from occasional ear pain or jaw clicking/popping, to major aches in the entire head, tooth wear from frequent bruxing (teeth-grinding), migraines, neck pain, and jaw crookedness or tiredness. I specialize in treating TMJ, so if you think TMJ has been a problem for you, contact me (or another TMJ specialist, if location is a problem). It’s important to find one who treats TMJ bioesthetically, aesthetically, and with the healthiest, most natural options available. Your TMJ disorder will grow worse over time if it’s not taken care of. Don’t wait any longer to prevent problems that are bound to happen!

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com

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

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

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

If you read any of my previous posts concerning TMJ, I’m sure you’ve made some sort of connection between that and bioesthetic dentistry. There is, in fact, a grand relationship between the two!

TMJ stands for “temporo-mandibular joint,” (or, more plainly, your jaw joint). “TMJ” itself, or even “TMD” (temporo-mandibular disorder), both refer to problems with the jaw joint that affect your chewing system. It also involves your surrounding facial muscles, and even your whole head or neck. It is important, if you seem to be experiencing unexplained headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when chewing, crooked jaw movements, grinding or clenching teeth, or limited opening of your mouth, to see a dentist immediately, as TMJ in the long run will become much worse if it isn’t treated.

Bioesthetics comes in handy here. Bioesthetic dentistry restores the original, genetic bite that functions perfectly and is most comfortable and efficient. That lists everything that TMJ is not! Bioesthetics is absolutely perfect for treating TMJ, as it targets correcting the jaw muscles and alignment, where the root problem is. Not the chipped teeth (yet), or the mysterious grinding on one side of your mouth (yet), but the deep-down muscles that control every single movement your mouth makes. It’s wonderful! And everyone who undergoes treatment is enamored with the fact that they can stop taking pain medications, wearing mouthpieces at night, or crashing hard underneath an unexplained migraine.

Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles

www.dentalwellnessarts.com