Braces and your temporomandibular joint

Most people believe that when teeth are crowded, braces will fix everything. While technically that is true, braces can also create much more serious problems if not done correctly. Braces are designed to correct turned or tipped teeth when compared to the remaining teeth in your upper or lower jaw. However, much more care must be taken to align your upper and lower jaws with each other. At Manoa Dental, we find this occurring much more frequently as braces become more popular, especially in adults. If your upper and lowers jaws do not close together correctly, it can lead to a breakdown of the teeth by grinding, fractures, or clenching. Your chewing muscles could also develop tenderness or constant aches in the morning or throughout the day. Your TMJ could also develop symptoms including sounds or ear discomfort among many others described in our previous blogs. Feel free to call us at any time to meet with Dr. Keri Do and see what she can do for you. 

TMJ symptoms

Temporomadibular joint symptoms may seem harmless at first. They commonly present as noises in front of your ear when opening or closing your mouth. You could also have stuffiness or ringing in your ears among many other symptoms that may not feel related to TMJ disorder. However, these symptoms should best be viewed as a warning sign that the joint is dislocating on a regular basis and a full evaluation should be your priority. We have seen too many patients that have said these symptoms occurred a long time ago but since it didn’t hurt, they never sought treatment. Don’t wait for a simple annoyance to become a larger and more costly problem. Dr. Keri Do is always available at Manoa Dental to give you a full evaluation.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening has never been easier. There are two main options to whiten your teeth which are in-office whitening and at-home whitening. At-home whitening produces good results but may take longer to obtain a dramatic change. In-office whitening can create a quick change, but works most effectively in addition to at-home whitening. In either procedure, there is no permanent damage to your teeth and is very easy to obtain your desired whiteness. At Manoa Dental, Dr. Keri Do will always strive to give you the best results and ensure your happiness.

Missing Front Tooth

Missing a front tooth?  You have numerous options to replace it and even make it better than your original tooth. A dental implant replaces the root of your original tooth, and a traditional crown is attached to the implant. This procedure is done without treating the adjacent teeth. Another option would be placing a bridge in the same area, however the adjacent teeth must have a crown made. Either method creates a tooth that is fully functional like your original tooth. An implant provides much more.