Exceptional Smiles -Summer 2007
- Page 1 - TMD
- Page 2 - Fight Oral Cancer
- Page 3 - In a Heartbeat
- Page 4 - Screening for Oral Cancer
- View PDF Version
TMD
TMD Temporomandibular joint disorder
Do you suffer from tenderness in the jaw muscles, limited jaw opening, jaws that get stuck, unexplained facial or head pain, joint grating or clicking? You may be one of the sixty million North Americans you have a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). In most cases TMD can be diagnosed and treated in the dental office.
The best way to diagnose a TMD problem is to have us do a thorough oral examination, medical history, and radiographs in the dental office. There's no simple prescription for TMD problems and no single cause.
TMD difficulties can develop because of teeth grinding or clenching, misaligned jaw growth, or a dislocating injury. Other causes of TMD include worn, loose or missing teeth, gum problems, poorly fitting dentures or repetitive habits like pipe clenching and pen and pencil biting.
That's why restoring your jaw's harmony may require several kinds of treatment to reduce muscle tension, regain a stable bite, or rest and heal your jaw joint. Usually the first step is to eliminate the pain and correct the way teeth fit together. We may smooth down your teeth or use a corrective splint.
If you have signs of TMD trouble...relax! Thousands of patients with TMD have been diagnosed and treated successfully with excellent results. The first step is to bring signs and symptoms to our attention during your next visit.
From the Dentist
Good Advice...
Never goes bad
If you think I'm always encouraging you about maintaining your home care routines, well...maybe I am. I worry because gum disease, which is linked with pregnancy problems and systemic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, has recently been linked with pancreatic cancer, a truly deadly disease,
Please read our inside version article called In A Heartbeat. And stay tuned for more articles in the future on the very important topic of how your oral health impacts your overall health. The body of evidence seems to be growing stronger every day, and the accumulated research puts a new urgency into some old advice. Brush. Floss. Rinse. Keep your regular dental hygiene visits. Care for your overall health through diet and fitness,
Yours in good dental health,
Dr. David M. Kaffey
Dr David Kaffey - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and care credit to the areas of Malvern, Wayne, West Chester, King of Prussia, Exton, Devon, Villa Nova, Newtown Square, Berwyn, Radnor, St. Davids, Valley Forge, Main Line, Paoli and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist
12 South Valley Road Paoli, PA 19301 | Ph. 866.930.1921
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