Springtime TMJ Problems on Teenage Patients

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs)  Disorder or TMJ disorder is a problem in your TMJ - the joint that connects the jawbone to the bone of the skull in front of the ears. The TMJ acts like a hinge that allows you to move your jaw up, down and side to side so you can chew, talk and yawn. The TMJ disorder happens when the jaw joints malfunctions. It usually causes head pain, facial pain, and neck pain.

Teens have more TMJ problems in the springtime than in any other times of the year. This is typically due to the extra stress teens experience in the spring from exams, homework, projects, prom, and more. This disorder can also be caused by improper and incorrect posture. A person who suffers from TMJ experiences severe pain that gives them trouble sleeping, eating and concentrating. The following are some of the symptoms that may be experienced by a person with malfunctioning and misaligned muscles and jaw:

• Pain in the head, ears, neck, shoulders, back and along the jawlines.

• Ringing in the ears

• Locking, clicking and locking of the jaw

• Difficulty biting

• Facial inflammation

• Vertigo

Orthodontic Treatment

A teen suffering from TMJ may take pain relievers to help relieve TMJ pain and should get enough rest. When these methods don’t seem to help, the parents must bring their teen to an orthodontist right away. An orthodontist specializes in correcting the misalignment of the teeth and treating jaw problems such as TMJ disorder. Treating TMJ may vary, based on your individual diagnosis. The orthodontist begins with the most conservative corrective treatment before considering the more aggressive TMJ treatments.

Splints

The most common nonsurgical treatment approach for TMJ dysfunction is the use of a jaw splint. A TMJ splint is similar to a mouth guard that protects the teeth from excessive clenching. The splint covers the upper and lower jaws and is most often worn at night. When a splint is worn between the upper and lower rows of teeth, the temporomandibular joint is braced in a more stable position. As a result, the TMJ splint reduces the pressure and damaging effects caused by excessive teeth clenching.

Aside from teeth clenching and teeth grinding, TMJ problems can also be caused by an underbite or an overbite which is termed as malocclusion. In this case, when the symptoms do not respond to the preliminary treatments, the orthodontic experts may recommend braces.

Beecroft Orthodontics - Invisalign - 1st Impressions

Class One

- This is the most common malocclusion where the bite is normal except that the upper teeth slightly overlaps the lower teeth.

Class Two - This form of malocclusion, known as retrognathism (overbite), occurs when the upper jaw and upper teeth severely overlaps the bottom jaw and bottom teeth.

Class Three -Malocclusion, called prognathism (underbite), occurs when the lower jaw noticeably protrudes forward, causing the lower jaw and lower teeth to cover the upper jaw and upper teeth. The length of time it takes to treat jaw misalignment depends on two things:

1) Jaw Growth – In cases such as this, orthodontists recommend a more advanced orthodontic treatment. In some cases, patients have to wait until they are older to be eligible for the right treatment.

2) Individual Correction Needs — Treatment times can vary depending on the amount of work needed to correct the alignment of the jaw.

The TMJ disorder treatment with braces usually takes a few months. During the treatment, the pain that is associated with TMJ problems is minimized.

The Last Resort: TMJ Surgery

Surgery may be advised and is only used when all other treatment options do not help. Remember to get a second or third option from other specialists before undergoing surgery. There are two types of surgery procedures for severe TMJ. The first procedure is similar to orthopedic surgery for arthritic joints. The TMJ is planed down to make it smoother allowing proper motion. The second one is the joint replacement surgery.

Candidacyfor TMJ Surgery

The list below can be used to indicate candidacy for TMJ surgery:

1. Conservative treatments fail to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ. If the splint therapy failed on the first try, it should be repeated using a different splint design.

2. There is a conclusive evidence of a physical or structural problem based on the teen’s complaint. A physical problem can be seen with an MRI, X-rays, or with dye injections into the joint. This may help the orthodontist decide which treatment is best.

3.  The teen must be suffering so much from TMJ pain that their lifestyle has been negatively affected.  In other words, the teen must be so desperate that his/her only hope is to undergo surgery.

TMJ Hope

With TMJ disorders, teens may suffer from frustration, anxiety, and further stress. Fortunately, there is hope for TMJ sufferers. To discuss about the TMJ treatment options and type of payment plans, ask an orthodontic expert who offer precise and effective solution at Stafford. Contact Beecroft Orthodontics now!

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Springtime TMJ Problems on Teenage Patients

Do Braces Make the Roots of Your Teeth Shorter?

One of the many common questions among many orthodontic patients regarding the process of getting braces is whether or not the treatment with braces makes the roots of a person’s teeth shorter.

Braces work by creating tiny cramps around each tooth which cause an old bone to disappear. In turn, a new bone grows and develops taking the place of the dissolved old one. This is an entirely normal process and what mainly causes the teeth to move into the desired alignment.

But, do braces shorten the length of the roots of a person’s teeth? This may be a common concern, but is rarely an issue among patients who undergo treatment with braces. Approximately 1 – 2 % of all the patients experience symptoms of shortening of the roots of the teeth or “root resorption”, as commonly termed. Typically, root resorption happens to patients who are genetically susceptible to such case. In very seldom cases, this condition can also occur when the teeth are moved either too quickly or too slowly.

Seeing that genetics plays a major role in this condition, it is crucial for the orthodontist to know their patient’s family medical history records. Orthodontic experts usually use x-rays to determine the level of susceptibility and possible location of root resorption before the commencement of an orthodontic treatment.  With the help of the Fredericksburg orthodontics experts who are adequately equipped with professional skills and techniques, root resorption can be predicted, prevented, and treated.

If a family member is experiencing root resorption symptoms and for more information and details regarding root resorption, call Fredericksburg Orthodontics and set up a consultation appointment right away. With your Fredericksburg orthodontics professional, regularly monitoring and analyzing your oral status with the use of modern orthodontic technology, root resorption and all other risks of an orthodontic treatment will be prevented and managed well.

Benefits of an Orthodontic Treatment

There are numerous benefits of orthodontic treatments. One of the most obvious physical improvements is the changes in the patient's smile which significantly affects his/her self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as his/her overall self-image. For people who have their teeth misalignment problems fixed by undergoing orthodontic treatment, smiling becomes easy and natural and is no longer a conscious effort. Studies have shown that people who smile more often genuinely enjoy more fruitful social lives and are less likely to get depressed than those who smile less.

Aside from an enhanced smile and general physical appearance, there are also other important benefits orthodontic treatment has to offer including an improved oral health and  prevention of problems associated with bite or jaw irregularities. Patients who suffer from misalignment of teeth and jaw irregularities have difficulty maintaining their dental hygiene making them more susceptible to oral disease.  Improperly positioned and overlapping teeth easily wear and are hard to clean. This increases risks of tooth breakage or injury, tooth decay, gum problems and other health problems.

Beecroft Orthodontics - Invisalign - 1st Impressions

Orthodontic treatments

go beyond giving the patients a beautiful a smile, boosting their personal confidence, and helping them maintain proper oral hygiene. Orthodontic treatments also improve the patient's ability to function, like eating, talking and sleeping. Crooked teeth and incorrect bites can interfere with proper chewing or biting and pronouncing certain words correctly. Another problem associated with having misaligned bite is a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea in which breathing stops periodically during sleep. In worse cases, misaligned teeth and jaw irregularities can lead to Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ disorders which cause severe pain in the head, neck, face and along the jaw lines. Undoubtedly, an orthodontic treatment is also, in many cases, medically necessary in order for a patient to properly perform their routine functions and to prevent problems that could lead to more serious complications later on in life.

Orthodontic Treatment Cost

While orthodontic treatments undeniably yield great results, the cost is a separate issue to worry about. This is what sometimes hold the patients and the parents back from considering orthodontic treatments. However, financial concerns should not stand in the way of an outstanding smile, excellent overall health condition, and exceptional well-being. Crooked teeth and jaw irregularities, if ignored or not treated early, could lead to higher risks of heart problems and more severe symptoms, such as mouth infections, serious gum diseases, and tooth decay or loss. These problems can cost more money than getting orthodontic treatment in the long run. Indeed, investing in orthodontic treatment is an investment in your health - physical, mental, and emotional.

If you have dental condition issues, such as the above-mentioned problems, do not hesitate to visit an orthodontic expert in Fredericksburg who is always committed to help you with your orthodontic concerns. Personally discuss with the orthodontist your dental issues and full medical history in order for him/her to determine the best option suited for you.

Getting the Right Orthodontist

Fredericksburg Orthodontics experts understand how costly orthodontic treatments are. It is our goal to provide our patients with quality orthodontic treatments that fit their budget. While treatment costs vary depending on the severity of the patients’ dental issues, Fredericksburg Orthodontics ensure more manageable and more convenient payment schemes. Call Fredericksburg Orthodontics now to discuss about the best orthodontic treatment for you, the payment methods, dental insurance and plans.

 Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Do Braces Make the Roots of Your Teeth Shorter?

Teeth-friendly Fruits & Vegetables No. 6: Watermelon

If you are interested in finding a teeth-friendly fruit, you'll be happy to know that watermelons are one of them. This is not surprising, considering that watermelons are largely made up of water. It makes sense that they would not be harmful to the teeth. However, it does not make sense that they would do anything more for your teeth, such as straighten out crooked teeth or gaps in the teeth. For this, you would need to go to an orthodontist for help. If you are looking to straighten out your teeth, you will likely have two or more options. The options that most people utilize for this purpose are Invisalign and traditional metal braces. Traditional metal braces are better suited for people who have severe misalignment issues, and they are occasionally accompanied by dental appliances with which they work in conjunction. Invisalign is often the choice of people who have minor misalignment issues, and who really just want to straighten out their teeth for cosmetic purposes. Your orthodontist can tell you which of these options is best for you, and he or she will make this decision based on an assessment of your teeth.

If you are looking for a Stafford orthodontist, or one in King George or Fredericksburg, Beecroft Orthodontics is a wonderful choice. The professionals at this practice are always happy to take on new patients, and they will be enthusiastic to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted, by whatever means that you choose. You can see them in one of their three offices, so you will be able to work with a King George, Fredericksburg, or Stafford orthodontist to straighten your smile. You will then be able to enjoy all the teeth-friendly fruits you want with the knowledge that your smile is just as it should be. If this interests you, contact Beecroft Orthodontics today.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Teeth-friendly Fruits & Vegetables No. 6: Watermelon