Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry Blog
January 27th, 2012
Headaches. Jaw tension. Neck pain. Ringing ears.
These are merely a few of the symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD), a painful condition concentrated in the region where your temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw to your skull. Because the symptoms of TMJ are shared with a number of other ailments ranging from arthritis to sinus problems, it’s important to consult with an experienced neuromuscular dentist to properly diagnose the source of your discomfort and devise a custom treatment plan to relieve your pain.
People who suffer from TMJ often experience multiple symptoms, including:
- Difficulty biting, chewing or swallowing
- Earaches
- Face, shoulder and back pain
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw sticking or locking
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
In preparing for a TMJ examination with the Maryland dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry, you may want to consider the following questions:
- What symptoms do you experience?
- When did you begin experiencing these symptoms?
- Did the symptoms begin individually or at different points?
- Does a particular activity seem to trigger your discomfort?
The answers to these questions in addition to a thorough exam that includes an analysis of your bite, teeth alignment and the determination of your correct jaw position can help us accurately diagnose the cause of your discomfort and outline treatment options that will relieve your pain and leave you smiling.
For more information about TMJ/TMD treatment, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, neuromuscular dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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January 25th, 2012
Laser dentistry offers the ability to safely and comfortably conduct a wide range of general and cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Some dental lasers are used for diagnosing conditions such as tooth decay, while others are used in various types of dental surgery. Laser dentistry is currently used in procedures including:
- Cold sore/mouth lesion treatment
- Gum recontouring
- Gum scaling
- Oral surgery
- Plaque removal
- Root canal treatment
- Smile makeovers
- Teeth cleaning
- Tooth decay diagnosis/removal
In addition to its versatility in diagnosing and treating dental conditions, laser dentistry offers other benefits including:
- Allows faster recovery
- Eliminates the need for anesthesia in some procedures
- Eliminates the need for stitches in some procedures
- Is less invasive than many surgical options
- Leaves more healthy gum tissue and tooth structure than some surgical options
- Minimizes bleeding and swelling
- Reduces the risk of infection
- Reduces treatment time in many procedures
The Maryland laser dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry use the latest technology to provide you an array of painless, anxiety-free treatment options. For more information about laser dentistry, please visit our Laser Dentistry FAQ page.
If you would like to learn if laser dentistry can benefit you, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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November 22nd, 2011
When properly matched and bonded, porcelain veneers should be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the fronts of your teeth and are used to treat a variety of minor cosmetic imperfections including:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Gap teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Short teeth
Porcelain veneers can be perfectly matched to the color and shape of your existing teeth to provide you with an attractive, natural-looking smile.
During the first of two visits necessary to craft and place your porcelain veneers, an impression will be taken of the teeth to be treated. This impression will be the foundation for your porcelain veneers, which will be custom crafted in our dental lab.
The resulting veneers can be further refined during placement to align with adjacent teeth. The porcelain can also be tinted to blend with your natural teeth and provide you with a seamless smile.
To see examples of the difference porcelain veneers can make, please see our Before & After page.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of porcelain veneers, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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November 15th, 2011
Both versatile and durable, porcelain veneers are an increasingly popular option for masking a number of minor tooth imperfections.
Porcelain veneers can be used to treat:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Gap teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Short teeth
An examination with one of the accomplished Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry will determine if you have a healthy dental foundation to support porcelain veneers and that porcelain veneers are the best option for your specific condition.
In addition to treating cosmetic imperfections, porcelain veneers are resistant to staining and help protect your teeth from additional damage.
The procedure to place porcelain veneers requires two office visits. During the first visit, a small amount of enamel will be removed from your teeth to compensate for the additional thickness of the veneers. Then, impressions of your teeth will be made; these impressions will serve as the basis for creating your custom-made veneers, which will be crafted in a dental lab using high-quality porcelain.
After the impressions are taken, you will be fitted with temporary veneers. When your permanent porcelain veneers are finished, they will be bonded to your teeth. The color of your veneers will be tinted to match your natural surrounding teeth.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of porcelain veneers, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
Posted in Porcelain Crowns, Porcelain Fillings, Smile Makeover | No Comments »
October 25th, 2011
The skilled Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry provide a wide range of services to give you the beautiful, functional smile you desire.
Our cosmetic dentistry treatments include:
- Dental implants – A long-lasting option for replacing missing or badly damaged teeth
- Laser dentistry – A safe, painless method for recontouring gums
- Porcelain crowns/bonding – Coverings meant to protect and strengthen damaged teeth
- Porcelain fillings – A durable, natural-looking option for treating cavities
- Porcelain veneers – Thin, porcelain shells affixed to the surface of your teeth to cover dental imperfections
- Smile makeovers – A series of procedures designed to give you a healthy, natural-looking smile
- Teeth whitening – Treatment designed to remove stains from and brighten discolored teeth
Although your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and its aesthetic values are important, we focus on functionality as well as appearance. Even seemingly minor cosmetic imperfections such as cracked or misaligned teeth can eventually lead to progressive dental problems.
A cosmetic dentistry consultation will allow us to understand your goals and develop a custom treatment plan to give you a smile that’s as healthy as it is attractive.
If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry options, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
Posted in Porcelain Crowns, Porcelain Fillings, Smile Makeover | No Comments »
October 13th, 2011
Porcelain fillings offer a number of advantages over other cavity-filling options such as metal fillings or dental composite fillings.
Among the benefits of porcelain fillings:
- Match your natural teeth
- Protect the integrity of the tooth
- Resistant to breakage
- Resistant to stains
Unlike metal fillings, which are compressed into your teeth, or dental composite resin, which is shaped and hardened over and around your teeth, porcelain fillings are bonded to the surface of your teeth. Porcelain fillings are custom made to match your specific tooth and fit within your bite to offer durability and functionality.
Porcelain fillings also offer aesthetic benefits over metal fillings and dental composite fillings in that they can be tinted to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. They are not visible like metal fillings, nor are they prone to expanding and contracting with changes in temperature like metal fillings.
Porcelain fillings are often used to replace metal fillings, and they offer a strength that is unmatched by metal fillings or dental composite fillings, both of which often require touch-up treatment or replacement. With proper dental care, porcelain fillings may last a lifetime.
Despite their benefits, porcelain fillings are not for everyone. An exam by an experienced Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentist at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry can determine whether porcelain fillings are right for you, or whether you may be better served by dental bonding or dental crowns.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of porcelain fillings, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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September 27th, 2011
Although metal fillings, also called amalgam fillings, have long been the standard for treating cavities, porcelain fillings have become increasingly popular thanks to their durability and aesthetic values.
Porcelain fillings, also referred to as porcelain inlays and onlays, provide strength and functionality not matched by alternatives such as metal fillings or dental bonding. In fact, porcelain fillings are often used to replace metal fillings.
Unlike metal fillings, which are compressed into the teeth, porcelain fillings are bonded to the teeth, which helps preserve the integrity of the teeth and allows for a natural appearance. Porcelain fillings are likewise shaped and colored to blend with your existing teeth, providing a seamless smile.
Using CEREC technology, the experienced Maryland cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry can fit and place your porcelain fillings in a single visit.
First the damaged of decayed area of your tooth will be removed, and CEREC is used to image your tooth. This digital imaging will provide the basis for your custom-made porcelain filling, which will be created on site.
To place the porcelain filling, a thin surface layer of tooth enamel will be removed in order to bond the filling to your tooth surface. Once placed, the filling is touched up and tinted to fit your bite and match your surrounding teeth.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of porcelain fillings, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry.
Posted in Porcelain Fillings | No Comments »
September 23rd, 2011
Although temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMJ or TMD) is a common condition, it is also commonly misdiagnosed because it shares symptoms with a number of other conditions including migraines, arthritis and sinus ailments. A neuromuscular dentist can both diagnose the source of and outline a treatment plan to correct the painful symptoms of TMJ.
Severe headaches are the most common symptom of TMJ/TMD, although most people with TMJ/TMD suffer multiple symptoms including:
- Face, neck, shoulder and back pain
- Jaw tension/pain
- Jaw clicking/popping
- Jaw locking/sticking
- Earaches/ringing ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty biting, chewing or swallowing
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the relationship between the muscles and joints that affect your bite. Misaligned teeth and certain bite conditions can put undue strain on these joints and muscles, and lead to chronic discomfort. Untreated, TMJ can contribute to progressive dental problems.
The experienced Laurel, Maryland, dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry use the latest neuromuscular dentistry technology to pinpoint the source of discomfort, determine your correct bite alignment, and devise a custom treatment plan.
Treatment may be as simple as correcting poor oral health habits such as pen chewing or it may require the use of an orthotic device to bring your bite into proper alignment and put an end to the painful symptoms of TMJ.
If you would like to learn more about neuromuscular dentistry or treatment options for TMJ, please contact the Maryland dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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August 10th, 2011
The chronic headaches that accompany temporomandibular joint disorder—also referred to as TMJ or TMD—can be severe to the point of debilitating and are often confused with migraines.
Although the area where your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull is roughly the size of a large coin, it features a concentration of muscles, nerves, tendons and bone. Within that network is the trigeminal nerve, which is integral in biting, chewing, swallowing and registering sensation in your face.
Even a slight misalignment of your jaw can impact the sensitive components in this connective region and cause pain to shoot through your head, face, neck, shoulders, arms and back. A misaligned jaw or bite condition may create excessive pressure on these nerves, muscles and joints, and lead to inflammation, swelling and discomfort.
Left untreated, the painful symptoms of TMJ can worsen and contribute to progressive dental problems including premature wear on your teeth, stress on your jaw and gum disease.
The good news is that TMJ is treatable. The experienced Maryland neuromuscular dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry can diagnose whether TMJ is truly to blame for your discomfort and create a custom treatment plan to correct your individual condition and put an end to your headaches and other nagging symptoms.
If you live in the Laurel, Columbia, Fulton or Silver Spring, Maryland, areas and would like more information about TMJ testing and treatment, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry.
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August 8th, 2011
Because the chronic, nagging symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMJ or TMD) are shared with a host of other conditions, diagnosing TMJ is a difficult—but not impossible—process.
Most people who suffer from TMJ experience multiple symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Facial, neck, shoulder and back pain
- Jaw tension and pain
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw locking or sticking
- Earaches or ringing ears
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
A number of these symptoms also arise with migraines, arthritis, sinus ailments, gum disease and other conditions, which leads to TMJ being frequently misdiagnosed.
The Laurel, Maryland, neuromuscular dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. We utilize a physical examination and the latest technology to pinpoint the source of your TMJ-related pain, determine your proper bite alignment and develop a plan to relieve your pain.
Untreated, TMJ can lead to continuous discomfort as well as contribute to progressive dental problems. A number of treatment options are available, however, and a thorough exam will help determine the best treatment for your condition.
Some TMJ cases are treatable by simply correcting poor dental health habits such as teeth grinding, nail biting, pen chewing or tongue thrusting. Other instances may be treated with the use of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS), which utilizes mild electrical stimulation to relax your jaw muscles and allow your jaw to settle into a comfortable, natural position.
In TMJ cases caused by more severe bite problems, custom orthotics or other procedures may be necessary.
If you live in the Laurel, Columbia, Fulton or Silver Spring, Maryland, areas and would like more information about TMJ testing and treatment, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry.
Posted in TMJ | No Comments »
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