Daniel R. Melnick D.D.S

Laurel Dentists Blog

Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Archive for January, 2012

Possible Symptoms of TMJ/TMD

Friday, 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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What can Laser Dentistry do for Me?

Wednesday, 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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