How Important Is a Gorgeous Smile?

By Jeffrey L. Brown, DDS

Sleep & TMJ Therapy

. http://sleepandtmjtherapy.com/

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How Important Is a Gorgeous Smile?

In the world of TMJ disorders, having a gorgeous smile can sometimes be a rare event. When a person has a TMJ problem, they really do not feel well, do not sleep well, and can be generally quite cranky all the time. Many TMD patients have headaches that do not quit and take medication on a regular basis to control the pain.

In many cases, identifying the source of the pain can also help improve sleep. When a person has less pain and they sleep better, that is when a gorgeous smile can come through. By taking the time to listen to the patient, get an idea of how long the pain has been there and where it starts and ends, and what triggers it, oftentimes an MRI of the TM joints can figure out if there is a displaced disc causing all that pain and reducing your ability to sleep well.

When it comes to sleep, a simple study done in the privacy of your own home can help determine if poor sleep is present and can help determine what to do about it. Sometimes if there is really bad apnea, a CPAP is indicated, but in many cases the patient can wear a simple dental appliance that opens the airway very nicely. And in some cases, the airway can be opened even more by using laser therapy—it is painless, no anesthetic is needed, and no post-op meds are required.

Some new technology that might help put an even bigger smile on your face is the EMFACE device. What this does is pulse warming energy through the tight muscles of the face to calm down clenching and grinding behavior. But it also relaxes those tight muscles, which reduces wrinkles and lines in the face. None of this hurts, there are no injections needed, and the results are immediate. The FDA has cleared the EMFACE for TMJ disorders and one side effect is that the treatment actually reduces facial wrinkles and lines as these muscles learn to relax. It only takes a few sessions to feel and see the results and if you do the EMFACE treatment a couple times a year, it is much less expensive than many other modalities like drugs or surgery.

Patients often want to feel better without harsh chemicals, surgery, or medications. Laser therapy and EMFACE are treatment options designed to address these concerns and may help patients achieve the gorgeous smile they deserve.