Dental Specialties in Howell Township, New Jersey
ORTHODONTIC SERVICES
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Orthodontics are used to assist in aligning and straightening teeth in order to not only improve appearance, but to also improve a person’s bite. Orthodontics may be used to correct malocclusions, overbites, underbites, crossbites, deep bites, crooked teeth and other imperfections of the teeth and jaws.
Dental technology has improved over the years to include new options to help correct the above issues, and there are a number of techniques and products available that were not available just a few short years ago. The patient experience has improved and today’s options are less conspicuous than the full braces that were common in the past.
Your visit will begin with a consultation with the doctor to go over the best alternatives for your orthodontic care. The doctor will address any questions you may have regarding your treatment and will provide a plan for orthodontic therapy.
Vital for living a vibrant happy life, normal breathing is effortless and enables our bodies to rest in a restorative, deep sleep that allows us to awake refreshed and ready to take on each new day.
Even with millions of people around the world unable to breathe normally while sleeping, there are still a lot of misconceptions about issues related to sleep and normal breathing. Many do not understand the long-term and potentially life-threatening risks of abnormal breathing during sleep. It is important not to ignore the obvious and not-so obvious warning signs that something may be wrong.
Periodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the hard and soft tissues that support teeth. Periodontal disease refers to gum disease. Periodontal procedures are usually performed to save or rebuild the jaw bone and/or gums in order to save teeth or allow for the placement of dental implants.
Home care is an extremely important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but even excellent home care cannot prevent bacteria and plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden, becoming calculus. We will recommend a periodontal maintenance program that is best for you based on how quickly you develop calculus and your past and current periodontal health. During your maintenance visits we will perform and oral examination as well as a dental cleaning.
During an oral examination, a visual inspection is performed to detect normal and abnormal structures of the entire mouth, head and neck. Along with radiographs, an examination detects cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession and any other abnormal findings within the mouth, head and neck
A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.
TMJ DISORDERS
THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) CONNECTS THE JAWBONE TO THE SKULL. TMJ DISORDERS OFTEN CAUSE DISCOMFORT IN THE CHEEK, JAW, OR EAR AREAS AND CAN AFFECT NORMAL JAW FUNCTION.
In less severe cases TMJ disorders can be treated with self-managed care (eating soft foods, using ice packs, avoiding extreme jaw movement) or nonsurgical treatments (anti-inflammatory medications, Botox injections, or stabilization splints). In more severe cases, surgical treatments (jaw joint replacements) may be necessary.
TMJ CONDITIONS FALL INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES:
1. Myofacial pain - discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function (grinding teeth can result in this type of TMJ disorder)
2. Internal derangement of the joint - a possible indicator of a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle
3. Arthritis - a degenerative inflammatory disorder
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TMJ DISORDERS ARE FREQUENTLY INTENSIFIED BY STRESS AND CAN INCLUDE:
- Headaches
- Pain in or around the ears
- Soreness in the Head and Neck area
- Facial pain
- Tight jaws
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening mouth
- Locking of the jaw
- Difficulty chewing