NTFOS Blog
Causes of TMJ Disorder
16 May 2012 | No Comments | posted by admin | in TMJ
Though the term “TMJ” stands for temporomandibular Joint, the dysfunction that frequently occurs in this area involves more than just the joint. The muscles, ligaments, and cartilage that comprise the joint are all involved. As a matter of fact, as TMJ disorder progresses, the entire head, neck, and mouth can be affected.
Patients who suffer from the condition typically notice chronic or intense headaches and neck aches upon waking in the morning, or at the end of the day. Other common symptoms include sensitive teeth, gum recession, bone loss, popping or clicking in the jaw joint, and difficulty opening the mouth.
Identifying and eliminating the cause of TMJ disorder is the best way to prevent the uncomfortable and destructive side effects. Discussing your symptoms with your oral surgeon can help you to move towards a solution and find relief.
One of the most common causes of TMJ disorder is prolonged clenching and grinding of the teeth. Many patients are unaware of this habit, as it tends to happen during sleep. Rather than risk damage to the teeth and the jaw joint, a protective mouth guard may be prescribed for nighttime use.
It is likely that disorders of the jaw joint may be caused be poorly aligned teeth. Teeth that are out of alignment can produce undue force on the jaw joint during biting and chewing. The stress imposed on the joint can be painful and even harmful if left unaddressed.
Trauma or accidental damage to the face or mouth is an often overlooked source of TMJ dysfunction. Car accidents, sports accidents, a fall, or a fist fight can damage the joint to the degree that it no longer functions properly. Orthodontic treatment, oral surgery, or a combination of both may be recommended to help you achieve relief.
Patients who are forced to endure high levels of stress, due to physical or emotional stimulation, are particularly susceptible to TMJ disorders. As stress is manifested in the way of clenching or gritting of the teeth, the joint pays the price or the teeth suffer irreversible damage.
Schedule a consultation with our experienced oral surgeons, serving Dallas TX and the surrounding areas, to determine both the cause and proper treatment for your TMJ disorder.
Dental Implants: A great investment into your health
2 May 2012 | No Comments | posted by admin | in dental implants
Your teeth, though they may seem small, are an important part of your body. They are also essential to your physical and emotional health. Within your mouth, each tooth has special duties, and much like a team, they work together for a good cause.
When a tooth is missing, your team is incomplete. Your chewing capacity is compromised, your jaw joint has to overcompensate, and the neighboring teeth become unsupported. In time, shifting, crowding, and bone loss become more evident. You may even notice that your confidence begins to decline as you grow increasingly insecure about your smile.
Replacing your missing tooth is imperative. In most cases, replacing the missing tooth as soon as possible is the best way to reduce the consequences of tooth loss. But, which tooth replacement is right for you: Dental implants, a bridge, or dentures?
Since all methods of tooth replacement require an investment of your time and money, you want to ensure that your investment is well spent. Research has shown that dental implants are indeed the best investment for your health. Your oral surgeon can help to determine if an implant is the best choice for you.
A permanent tooth replacement that is designed to function like a natural tooth and last for a lifetime is the best way to protect your health.
Since an implant is essentially an artificial tooth root, it is strong enough to withstand a normal degree of chewing force. Regaining proper chewing function is critical in relieving undue stress on the jaw joint.
By occupying a permanent position at the location of the missing tooth, your implant is able to provide adequate support for the neighboring teeth. The risk of shifting, drifting, and crowding is immediately eliminated. Even the bone loss that is normally associated with a missing tooth is dramatically reduced.
No other tooth replacement alternative can offer the advantages of a dental implant. As you decide on the best treatment option for your health, consider selecting the option that provides the best return on your investment. Talk to our oral surgeons at Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery today about dental implants. Call our Irving TX office at 972-401-8301, or contact any of our three locations for more information.
Treating Sleep Apnea
25 Apr 2012 | No Comments | posted by admin | in oral surgeon
It’s a fact that most people snore whilst asleep at some point in their life. Snoring can affect a person’s quality of sleep – and those around them – but can also be harmful to the person’s health.
Frequent, loud snoring can be a pointer to something more serious – a condition called ‘sleep apnea’, in which the patient’s breathing frequently stops and starts during sleep.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can interrupt the person’s breathing for a few seconds at a time and these interruptions can occur many times throughout the night. Sleep apnea is a treatable condition, so if you suffer from or know someone who suffers from sleep apnea, contact our oral surgeon to learn about your options.
There are typically 3 types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea –occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the patient’s throat relaxes during sleep and causing a blockage of the airway
- Central sleep apnea – occurs when the patient’s central nervous system fails to properly control the patient’s breathing
- Complex sleep apnea – a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea
Once sleep apnea has been diagnosed, the oral surgeon they may recommend any of the following treatments. There are a range of solutions available to help alleviate the causes and symptoms of sleep apnea, both non-surgical and surgical.
Non-surgical treatments include:
- Change in diet, as excess weight can be a contributory factor in sleep apnea
- Avoiding alcohol as this can relax muscles in the throat
- Modifying the sleeping position, including elevation of the head and sleeping on one’s side
- Quitting smoking
- Wearing a dental appliance designed to prevent OSA, or a CPAP device to supply regular oxygen
Surgical treatments include:
- Surgery, including to the nasal passageways, tonsils, adenoids or removal of excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose
- Enlargement of the jaw to increase the space of the upper airway
Sleep apnea has been linked to other health issues such as heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke and other potentially dangerous health conditions.
If you are affected by sleep apnea in the DFW area, contact our team at Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery to find out which treatment option is best for you.
