What You Should Know About TMJ

Jaw pain and jaw surgery

Most people think dental problems primarily affect the elderly population (or those who fail to follow a strict daily oral hygiene regime). However, despite your age, and your best efforts to maintain a healthy smile, you can still develop some problematic dental issues.

Research from Colgate suggests you may be at an increased risk of developing issues with your temporomandibular joint. What is your temporomandibular joint, and how can you identify problems with it with your family dentist before they become a major concern? Knowing that may be the key to getting you back to enjoying days that are carefree (and painless).

TMJ 101

Feel with your index fingers on the sides of your face right in front of your ears and you’ll discover a bony protrusion. This is your temporomandibular (TMJ, in short) joint. It connects your jaw bone to the skull and enables you to talk and chew food.

This joint is surrounded by cartilage and features a disk between which your skull and jaw bone meet, which absorbs the shock of its impact. This disk or cartilage can cause painful grinding in the joint if damaged.

Identifying TMJD Early

TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorders) is another commonly identified cause of trauma to the jaw. The many activities that you engage as a teenager (including sports) can increase your risk of experiencing such a trauma. Yet how do you tell if you develop TMJD? The initial symptoms and signs could include:

  • Jaw pain
  • Trouble chewing food or talking
  • Struggles in opening your mouth wide
  • Hearing a clicking sound in your jaw

While these may seem like little more than a daily nuisance at first, they can quickly progress into more serious issues like chronic headaches and neck pain, earaches, vertigo (dizziness) and a perpetual ringing in your ears. If left untreated, TMJD can ultimately lead to serious problems with jaw alignment and chronic facial pain.

You may not be able to avoid developing TMJD but there’s something you can do about it. Dr. Wewel offers a wide range of treatments to overcome the daily distraction of TMJ problems. Call us today at  (402) 800-1268 to schedule an appointment at our offices in Omaha, NE where you and your parents will have the opportunity to discuss the many options available.

 

How Tooth Lost Can Alter Your Appearance and What You Should Do About It

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants

It’s painful to lose a tooth, but leaving a lost tooth untreated may have longer-lasting consequences than just temporary discomfort. In reality, failing to replace missing teeth will actually alter your appearance and cause your face to suffer structural and cosmetic damage. 

For these reasons, the trusted doctors at Midwest Oral Surgery & Dental Implants recommend any patients with missing teeth in Omaha, NE, seriously consider receiving dental implants

What Happens When a Tooth Is Lost

That tooth in your mouth is connected by a root that is covered with a thin layer of bone to your jawbone. The root strengthens the jaw regularly and helps preserve bone density and strength. 

When a tooth and its roots are lost, the jawbone in the area begins to degrade as it does not receive the stimulation it needs any more. As bone degradation occurs, the face structure may be altered in a negative manner. The face may start to look sunken and aged over time, as the jaw bone changes slowly.

How to Protect Your Appearance

Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants is one of the most effective ways to protect your appearance and to avoid structural damage due to tooth loss. Implants are not placed on top of the gums, unlike other strategies for removing the dents. 

Instead, every implant’s post is inserted into the jaw where it serves as an anchor to the implant’s crown. The implant post mimics a tooth root due to its location in the jawbone by stimulating the bone and preventing degradation. Healthy bone tissue is preserved as a result of this stimulation, and the appearance of the face remains intact.

Schedule Your Consultation

There is no better time than now to be proactive about your appearance and replace your missing teeth. The doctors at Midwest Oral Surgery & Dental Implants are highly experienced in replacing missing teeth in Omaha, NE, with reliable dental implants. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wewel, call us today.