Advanced Dentistry Blog

TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a source of chronic pain for many, and can result in severe tooth wear, fractures of your teeth and restorations, and tooth loss.

TMD sufferers experience different types of head and face pain, including:

• Headaches and migraines
• Neck pain
• Jaw pain and soreness
• Jaw or neck stiffness
• Facial pain
• Forehead pain
• Cluster headaches
• Sinus-like headaches
• Scalp tenderness
• Mouth, face, cheek, or chin pain
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Tongue pain

The cause of these symptoms is often a misaligned bite that requires diagnosis and treatment using neuromuscular dentistry to find the best, most relaxed position for the upper and lower jaw, then re-teaching the jaw how to rest in this more efficient position. Neuromuscular dentistry uses sophisticated computer analysis to diagnose TMD, treat the symptoms, and relieve the pain. Diagnosis begins with Electromyograph, tracking jaw muscle activity to find the perfect position and establish the correct bite. Other TMD treatments include:

• Physical therapy
• Surgical remedies
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Oral appliances
• Medication
• TENS electrical stimulation

Do you wish your head, neck and face pain was nothing more than a faraway memory? At Rochester Advanced Dentistry, we understand. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffery Haddad and Dr. Kurt Doolin, experienced neuromuscular dentists who have helped hundreds of patients just like you get back to enjoying life again pain-free.

What causes snoring and what are the treatments?

Snoring occurs when airflow is constricted at the back of the mouth and nose. Typically, the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse during sleep. This causes vibrations that create the sound of snoring.

Individuals who snore might also suffer from:

• Poor oral muscle tone
• Large tonsils and adenoids
• Being overweight
• Rarely, a cyst or tumor is the problem
• An opening between the nose and throat that is too narrow
• A uvula (the ‘bell’ in the back of the throat) is too long
• Chronic ‘stuffy’ nose from hay fever, a cold a sinus infection, etc.
• Deformities of the nose or nasal septum

Snoring Treatments

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

The CPAP machine uses a mask worn over the face during sleep, into which pressurized air is blown to keep your airway from collapsing during sleep

• Dental Devices

Dental devices resemble an athletic mouth guards and assists in opening the airway by gently repositioning your lower jaw or tongue in a more forward position during sleep.

• Surgery

Certain surgeries can help by surgically removing tissues in the throat or correcting throat abnormalities to increase airway size.

Some of the surgeries are:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
• Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP)
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy

If your snoring has become more than a minor annoyance to you and your family, perhaps surgical or other medical intervention is needed. Begin by scheduling an appointment with a physician or dentist qualified in diagnosing and treating this disorder. In Rochester, Michigan, Rochester Advanced Dentistry assists snorers with getting the help they need. Our professional team would welcome your visit. Please contact Drs. Doolin and Haddad for a private consultation.