TMD and Complicating Conditions

Everybody’s been under a lot of stress lately, and at greater risk of developing a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). But some people, such as those with autoimmune disorders, were already at higher risk, and may especially be familiar with jaw pain. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs don’t want any of our patients to suffer or to underestimate the damage jaw clenching can do to their teeth, so we wanted to discuss how it works and what we can do.

 

Our lower jaws are connected to the skull by the temporomandibular joints. These joints are complex, needing to be able to exert a great deal of force and move in all directions. In people with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joints may be swollen. This would create difficulty opening the mouth and may cause a person to clench their jaws or grind their teeth in their sleep, which is a habit called bruxism. However, other people may also develop TMD if they are under psychological strain or they have obstructive sleep apnea, in which case they would move their jaw forward in an attempt to widen their airway.

 

TMD may cause pain to radiate to the ear or down to the shoulder, and teeth can crack under extreme pressure. If the cartilage of the joints is worn away, it will be much more difficult and uncomfortable for them to function. But we can provide patients with custom-fitted night guards, which are a removable oral appliance similar to a retainer that is worn during sleep. Night guards keep the jaws separate, shield the teeth, and can help to keep the jaw in a position that will leave the airway unrestricted and the joints under less stress.

 

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Dental.

Bite Checks

As a family practice, we at Southern Cross Dental carefully monitor the dental development of our pediatric patients. While we use the latest technology to predict where children’s permanent teeth will come in, biannual check-ups are chances for us to ensure the teeth they already have are comfortable and healthy. If we see a problem, we can refer them for orthodontic work, although we’ll remain an important part of each child’s health team.

We’ll ask children to close their teeth together and whether they’ve experienced any pain while chewing or when they wake up. This will help us to establish whether they have an issue with misaligned teeth (also known as malocclusions) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). If they have TMJD, they may be clenching their jaws subconsciously or grinding their teeth in their sleep. This would result in distinctive wear patterns in their enamel and could further exacerbate malocclusions.

Although the wisdom teeth usually do not erupt until late adolescence, orthodontic work is usually done during late childhood and early adolescence. This is because children’s jawbones have not solidified as much and more extensive orthodontic work can be done on them without the need for surgery. It’s normal for children to get their first orthodontic assessment when they’re about seven, but work would only start at that age in extreme circumstances. An orthodontist may still prefer that we do any necessary extractions, and we will continue to provide cleanings and sealants while orthodontic work is ongoing.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  At Southern Cross Dental, we help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services provided at the practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Vertical Dimension Loss

Teeth serve many functions, one of the most underappreciated of which is supplying the face with vertical dimension. Put simply, this means that without teeth, the face shortens, resulting in all sorts of problems. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, our doctors are experienced providers of dental prosthetics and are determined to help patients avoid the horrors of bite collapse.

When teeth are removed, the jaw bone tissue that surrounded their tooth roots recedes. As a result, the face looks shrunken, with the skin between the nose and lip becoming wrinkled and the mouth looking too small for the chin. Besides this aged appearance, patients also develop pain in their jaws which can radiate to their heads and shoulders. The loss of teeth also impacts the function of the remaining ones, since the front teeth are not held in place as firmly as the molars and are unable to take on the pressures of chewing.

If a patient still has some teeth, our dentists can use them to estimate how large to make the replacements. In cases of full-mouth restorations, our dentists will fabricate dentures using the latest software to determine a good fit. As part of the restoration process, patients will wear temporary crowns, which will give us a better idea of whether their new teeth are the right size to restore the shape of their faces.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Panorex

At the Southern Cross Dental, we use panoramic digital radiography to provide high-quality care to our patients in Fullerton and the surrounding area.

 

Panorex is an X-ray machine that is capable of capturing more of the mouth structure than a traditional, dental X-ray and can, therefore, identify many issues. To take the X-ray, you will sit in a chair with your chin on a small ledge. Once positioned, the machine will rotate 360 degrees around your head, capturing X-rays of your teeth, head, sinuses and bone, which gives our team the ability to see any potential problems and ensure that everything is functioning properly. The panorex can also view specific types of structural problems, including infections or asymmetry.

 

In addition to clearer and more comprehensive images, the panorex and other digital X-rays also produce up to 90 percent less radiation than traditional dental X-rays. This is because the digital sensor is much more sensitive to radiation than film, so less is needed to form an accurate image. While traditional X-rays are considered safe by professionals, those who receive X-rays frequently or who are concerned about radiation will feel more comfortable with digital radiography.

 

With our team here at Southern Cross Dental, we want you know that you will receive the best dental care available with state-of-the-art technology in Fullerton. Panoramic, digital X-rays are only one way that we act with our patients’ best interest in mind. Schedule an appointment by calling (719)471-1717. For more information, visit www.Southerncrossdental.com.

Night Guards

If you or your sleep partner is suffering from teeth grinding, you know how it can interfere with getting a good night’s rest. At Southern Cross Dental, we offer solutions for teeth grinding using custom-made mouth guards.

 

Teeth grinding involves clenching the jaw and gnashing the teeth unconsciously during sleep. The exact cause of teeth grinding is not known, but it is very common and occurs in both children and adults. It some instances, grinding the teeth can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain and headaches. We offer custom fit night guards in order to treat teeth grinding. The night guard acts as a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, which prevents grinding and gnashing of your teeth.

 

The process of making a night guard is easy. We start by taking an impression of your teeth, and the guard is then made in a dental lab. Since your night guard is made specifically for you, it fits comfortably and allows you to breathe normally. In addition to night guards, we offer a variety of services including periodontal treatment, bonding, extractions and other services.