Galleria Dental Aesthetics | Dental Blog
Northern Virginia, including Arlington and Alexandria
Archive for November, 2011
Can Dental Crowns Fix TMD?
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
If your TMD symptoms are caused by an improper bite, then a dental crown may help alleviate the pain you are experiencing.
When the temporomandibular joint is subjected to excessive pressure, you may experience painful TMJ/TMD symptoms like headaches and tooth pain. Damage caused by decay and trauma can cause your teeth to have uneven surfaces. An unbalanced bite can also cause stress to the TMJ. Placing tooth crowns over damaged teeth will restore these teeth to the normal shape and size, allowing your teeth and jaws to come together in an appropriate manner.
Depending on the severity and underlying cause of your TMJ symptoms, several other treatment approaches may be suggested. For instance, orthodontics may be necessary to correct a misaligned bite. If your TMD symptoms arise from grinding your teeth at night, a mouth guard can be used while you sleep to keep teeth separated.
For experienced neuromuscular dentistry to treat TMD in Northern Virginia, please contact the experienced staff at Galleria Dental Aesthetics to schedule a consultation.
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Why Would I Need A Root Canal?
Friday, November 18th, 2011
The ultimate purpose of a root canal is to save a natural tooth. Root canals stop an infection that could otherwise lead to the loss of your natural tooth and the necessity for a tooth replacement, like a dental implant.
Inside your tooth is an inner chamber that houses the tooth pulp. The pulp contains connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves, and it extends through the tooth root canals. When the pulp becomes infected, an abscess can form at the tooth’s root tip.
The tooth pulp can become infected from:
- Decay
- A crack or chip in the tooth
- Trauma to the tooth that causes a fracture
- Repeated dental procedures, such as large fillings
To stop the infection and allow you to keep the natural tooth, general dentists and endodontists treat the root canal by drilling a hole in the crown of the tooth; the decayed pulp is then removed through the hole and the infection is allowed to heal. The cleaned out tooth is then filled and sealed to prevent future decay.
Some patients choose to repair the lost structure of the tooth with a restoration like a tooth crown. After root canal treatment, the structural integrity of the tooth is weakened, which may lead to fractures later on. A tooth crown protects the tooth from cracking and effectively stabilizes and seals the tooth.
For root canal treatment in Northern Virginia, general dentists Joseph Oh and Chong Lee provide skilled treatment, as well as porcelain crowns. Please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics to schedule a consultation.
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How Long Does It Take To Treat TMJ?
Monday, November 14th, 2011
The length of treatment for TMJ will vary depending on individual cases. The causes of your TMJ symptoms will significantly influence the amount of time it takes to reduce your discomfort and correct the underlying issues.
Several approaches can be taken in treating your TMJ, including:
- Dental orthotic devices
- Nighttime mouth guards
- Dental restorations
- Orthodontics
- Stretching jaw muscles
- Medications
A combination of these approaches may be used to treat you, so the time required will vary. If your TMJ pain is caused by grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep, exercise or work, a mouth guard can stop the grinding or clenching. The mouth guard can be worn while you sleep, exercise or work for as long as you continue to grind or clench your teeth.
Dental orthotic devices, or “splints,” are also worn in the mouth, but these devices are usually worn 24 hours a day to alleviate headaches, neck and back pain, and muscle soreness and tension. Some patients wear splints indefinitely to help reposition the jaw and associated muscles.
Some treatments may offer immediate correction of the cause of TMJ pain. If the pressure on your TMJ is caused by uneven tooth surfaces or missing teeth, then dental restorations like dental fillings and dental implants can realign your bite and relieve TMJ discomfort.
For TMJ treatment in Northern Virginia, please contact the experienced neuromuscular dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics to schedule a consultation.
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How Often Do Dental Crowns Come Off?
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
Crowns are used to restore tooth structure that has been damaged by decay or fractures. They are normally used when more that 2/3 of the natural tooth structure is missing, and are an exceptional restoration to stabilize and restore the remaining tooth structure.
In some rare cases, dental crowns can become dislodged from the restored tooth and fall out. A crown is bonded to your tooth with dental cement, and a cementing error can be the cause of the crown falling off. Another reason may be if the crown is not fitted properly to the remaining part of your natural tooth.
If your tooth crown falls out, you should schedule a dental appointment immediately. Keep the dental crown clean by placing it in a sealable plastic bag. Depending on the situation, the crown may be cemented again or a new crown may be made.
Improperly fitted crowns are rare, as is possible inadequate cementation. Properly fitted and adequately cemented crowns can last at least 10 to 20 years. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we use all-porcelain crowns in McLean, Virginia, for the most natural, metal-free look. Please contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
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