All Ceramic Crown and Bridge	Composite Bonding	Dental Appliances
Dental Braces	Dental Implants	Dental Veneers
Dentures	Gum Treatment	Root Canal
TMJ(Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

 

All Ceramic Crown and Bridge

In this day and age, the treatment of choice involves dental restorations that provide natural beauty, strength and improved oral health. Our dentists offer a range of all-ceramic, metal free dental crowns and bridges that offer just that.

Natural Beauty- All ceramic metal free dental crowns and bridges are made up on a biocompatible framework. Our associated dental specialist ceramist’s build-up the core framework with many layers of the highest quality porcelain, producing a restoration with outstanding translucent aesthetics and that has both natural appearance and feel.

Strength-Ceramic porcelain provides strength levels that are significantly higher than many other dental restorations and both clinical and scientific tests have confirmed its mechanical strength and the many years of use that are guaranteed with it.

Improved oral health-Being all ceramic, they are non-metallic and biocompatible, reducing the chances of any allergic reactions. The precise marginal fit ensures increased resistance to staining and decay, resulting in a longer lasting restoration.

Why choose all Ceramic Restoration:
* Natural appearance and feel
* Ceramic conducts light better than metal, providing a natural translucency
* No grey edges around gum line 
* Ceramic provides proven high strength and performance
* Non-metallic and biocompatible, reducing the chances of any allergic reactions
* Low thermal conductivity, reducing uncomfortable hot and cold sensations

Composite Bonding

Given the opportunity and choice, more and more patients are choosing white dental fillings, even though they are more expensive than traditional amalgam fillings. The key reasons for this are, some view the mercury in amalgam as potentially harmful, but for most white dental fillings are more aesthetic and natural looking.
 
Composite dental fillings are made from powdered glass quartz, silica or other ceramic particles added to a resin base. The dentist will choose a composite shade to match your existing teeth, after the tooth is prepared; the dental filling is then bonded onto the area and then set with a light.

Why choose white composite fillings?
* Composite fillings restore the natural appearance of the tooth. 
* Although composite fillings may not be as hard wearing as amalgam fillings, today’s composite fillings can easily withstand the stress applied when placed in a back tooth. 
* Composite fillings are bonded to the tooth, restoring most of the tooth’s original strength.
* Teeth restored with white composite fillings are often less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with amalgam.
* Composites fillings are mercury-free.
* Composite fillings often require less removal of tooth structure, especially with new cavities.

Dental Appliances

A dental appliance is a special mouthpiece fashioned by a dentist to fit your teeth and jaw. Dental appliances have been used to treat grinding of the teeth and temporomandibular joint problems. Another use for dental appliances is the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). 

What Should I Look For in a Dental Appliance?
Comfort: Devices that pull the jaw forward are usually more comfortable than those that grab the end of the tongue to pull it forward. Custom made appliances using high quality materials are more comfortable than those made of cheaper materials; less bulk is better.

Durability: Over-the-counter devices generally last less than one year. Custom made appliances will require periodic adjustment and last for many years. Usually, the metal portions can be reused if the device has to be remade.

Adjustability and Mobility: The cheaper devices usually have only one size and setting. However, one size definitely does not fit all! Some, but not all custom made devices can be adjusted so that the right amount of jaw advancement is set. Some, but not all custom made devices allow for limited side to side and vertical motion. This increases the comfort to the wearer and prevents the development of jaw problems.

Cost: The price can vary, and your dentist will be in a better position to provide that information. As a basic rule-of-thumb, "You get what you pay for."

Some devices can be adjusted by the wearer. However, it is preferable to have a dentist make the adjustments to insure the maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Is it Safe for Use with my Existing Dental Work:  the cheaper devices should not be used if you have a lot of dental work. Even the more expensive devices can damage dental work. Find out what the material is that comes into contact with your dental work and speak with your dentist about it.

Advantages of Using a Dental Appliance
Dental appliances are:

• Easy to use and maintain once they are properly fitted and adjusted.
• Very portable.

Dental Braces

 

Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces or simply braces) are devices used in the orthodontic industry that helps align and straighten teeth and help to position them with regard to a person’s bite, while also working to improve dental health. They are often used to correct under bites, as well as, malocclusions, overbites, cross bites, open bites, deep bites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the teeth and jaw. Braces can be either cosmetic or structural. Dental braces or orthodontic braces are often used in comparison with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws. While they are mainly used on children and teenagers, adults are also big contributors to this type of treatments.

How braces work
The application of braces moves the teeth as a result of force and pressure on the teeth. There are four basic elements that are needed in order to help move the teeth. In the case of traditional metal or wire braces, one uses brackets, bonding material, archwire, and ligature elastic, also called an “O-ring” to help align the teeth. The teeth move when the archwire puts pressure on the brackets and teeth. Sometimes springs or rubber bands are used to put more force in a specific direction. Braces have constant pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Occasionally adults may need to wear headgear to keep certain teeth from moving. When braces put pressure on your teeth, the periodontal membrane stretches on one side and is compressed on the other. This movement needs to be done slowly otherwise the patient risks losing his or her teeth. This is why braces are commonly worn for approximately two and a half years and adjustments are only made every three or four weeks. This process loosens the tooth and then new bone grows in to support the tooth in its new position which is technically called bone remodeling. A tooth will usually move about a millimeter per month during orthodontic movement, but there is high individual variability. Orthodontic mechanics can vary in efficiency, which partly explains the wide range of response to orthodontic treatment.

Types of braces
Modern orthodontists can offer many types and varieties of braces:

• Traditional braces are stainless steel, sometimes in combination with nickel titanium, and are the most widely used. These include conventional braces, which require ties to hold the archwire in place, and newer self-tying (or self-ligating) brackets. Self-ligating brackets may reduce friction between the wire and the slot of the bracket, which in turn might be of therapeutic benefit.
• Clear braces serve as a cosmetic alternative to traditional metal braces by blending in more with the natural color of the teeth or having a less conspicuous or hidden appearance. Typically, these brackets are made of ceramic or plastic materials and function in a similar manner to traditional metal brackets. Clear elastic ties and white metal ties are available to be used with these clear braces to help keep the appliances less conspicuous. Clear braces have a higher component of friction and tend to be more brittle than metal braces. This can make removing the appliances at the end of treatment more difficult and time consuming.
• Gold-plated stainless steel braces are often employed for patients allergic to nickel (a basic and important component of stainless steel), but may also be chosen because some people simply prefer the look of gold over the traditional silver-colored braces.
• Lingual braces (Incognito Braces) are custom made fixed braces bonded to the back of the teeth making them invisible to other people. In lingual braces the brackets are cemented onto the backside of the teeth making them invisible while in standard braces the brackets are cemented onto the front side of the teeth. Hence, lingual braces are a cosmetic alternative to those who do not wish to have the unaesthetic metal look but wish to improve their smile.
• Titanium braces look just like stainless steel braces but are very light weight and strong. People with allergies to the nickel in steel often choose titanium braces, but they are more expensive than stainless steel braces.
• Progressive, clear removable aligners (examples of which are Invisalign, Originator, ClearCorrect) may be used to gradually move teeth into their final positions. Aligners are generally not used for complex orthodontic cases, such as when extractions, jaw surgery, or palate expansion are necessary. These braces are the most recent type of braces. These are good choices for people who have slight orthodontic problems, but can also be used in severe cases. The main attraction of these braces is they are virtually invisible making them hardly noticeable on the teeth. They work to gradually move the teeth into their right position just like traditional braces, but without the constant help of wires that need tightening.
• Smart brackets: are the latest concepts under investigation. The smart bracket contains a microchip that measures the forces that act on the bracket and subsequently, the tooth interface . The aim of these braces is to reduce the duration of orthodontic therapy and the related expenses and discomfort to the individual.
• A-braces: are another new concept in dentistry. In the shape of a capital letter A, A-braces are applied, adjusted, removed and completely controlled by the user. At the ends of the A’s arms are angled knobbed bits that the user bites down over. The width between the bits is adjusted by turning the crossbar, housed across the arms. A user never has to experience pain because the pressure is so easy to control. A-braces may serve as self-adjustable retainers and palate expanders.

Traditional braces are mostly used in treating children, as well as, adults. They consist of a small bracket that is glued to the front of each tooth and the molars are adjusted with a band that encircles the tooth. An advantage is one can eat and drink while wearing the brace but a disadvantage is that one must give up certain foods and eating habits while wearing them, such as, chewing gum and potato chips. Another disadvantage is they have to be periodically tightened by your orthodontist causing increased amounts of discomfort.

Procedure: the first step is to determine whether braces are suitable for the patient. The doctor consults with the patient and inspects the teeth visually. If braces are appropriate, a records appointment is set up where X-rays, molds, and impressions are made. These records are analyzed to determine the problems and proper course of action. Typical treatment times vary from six months to two and a half years depending on the complexity and types of problems. Orthognathic surgery may be required in extreme cases. About two weeks before the braces are applied brackets are required to spread apart back teeth in order confirm enough space for the bands.
When applying another type of dental brace, such as, invisalign, the process is quite different but there are similarities like the initial steps of molding the teeth before application. With invisalign they send your impressions to the invisalign company for evaluation and viewing who then create your braces. They then send the finished braces back to your orthodontist to be put on like a well fitted mouth guard. The dentist has no need for brackets or wires to be placed on the teeth but does need the appliance, glue, metal knobs, and rubber bands that can help the teeth move more effectively.

Post Treatment Retainers: in order to prevent the teeth moving back to their original position, retainers may be worn once the treatment with braces is complete for the patient depending on their specific needs. If the patient does not wear the braces appropriately for the right amount of time, the teeth will move towards their previous position. For regular traditional braces Hawley retainers are used. They are made of metal hooks that surround the teeth and are enclosed by an acrylic plate shaped to fit the patient’s palate. For invisalign braces an Essix retainer is used. They are similar to the regular invisalign braces have a clear plastic tray that is form fitted to the teeth that stays in place. There is also a bonded retainer where a wire is permanently bonded to the lingual side of the teeth, usually the lower teeth only.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth. Prior to the advent of root-form endosseous implants, most implants were either blade endosseous implants, in that the shape of the metal piece placed within the bone resembled a flat blade, or subperiosteal implants, in which a framework was constructed to lie upon and was attached with screws to the exposed bone of the jaws. Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures.

Composition
A typical implant consists of a titanium screw (resembling a tooth root) with a roughened or smooth surface. The majority of dental implants are made out of commercially pure titanium, which is available in different grades depending upon the amount of carbon and iron contained. Titanium alloy offers better tensile strength and fracture resistance. Implant surfaces may be modified by plasma spraying, anodizing, etching or sandblasting to increase the surface area and the integration potential of the implant.

Surgical procedure

• Planning

Prior to commencement of surgery, careful and detailed planning is required to identify vital structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve or the sinus, as well as the shape and dimensions of the bone to properly orient the implants for the most predictable outcome. Two-dimensional radiographs, such as orthopantomographs or periapicals are often taken prior to the surgery. Sometimes, a CT scan will also be obtained. Specialized 3D CAD/CAM computer programs are mostly used to plan the case.

Whether CT-guided or manual, a ‘stent’ may sometimes be used to facilitate the placement of implants. A surgical stent is an acrylic wafer that fits over the teeth, the bone surface or the mucosa (when all the teeth are missing) with pre-drilled holes to show the position and angle of the implants to be placed. The surgical stent may be produced using stereolithography following computerized planning of a case from the CT scan.

• Basic procedure

In its most basic form the placement of an osseointegrated implant requires a preparation into the bone using either hand osteotomes or precision drills with highly regulated speed to prevent burning or pressure necrosis of the bone. After a variable amount of time to allow the bone to grow on to the surface of the implant (osseointegration) a tooth or teeth can be placed on the implant. The amount of time required to place an implant will vary depending upon the quality and quantity of the bone and the difficulty of the individual situation.

• Surgical incisions

Traditionally, an incision is made over the crest of the site where the implant is to be placed. This is referred to as a ‘flap’. Some systems allow for ‘flapless’ surgery where a piece of mucosa is punched-out from over the implant site. Proponents of ‘flapless’ surgery believe that it decreases recovery time while its detractors believe it increases complication rates because the edge of bone cannot be visualized. Because of these visualization problems flapless surgery is often carried out using a surgical guide constructed following computerized 3D planning of a pre-operative CT scan.

• Healing time

The amount of time required for an implant to become osseointegrated is a hotly debated topic. Consequently the amount of time that practitioners allow the implant to heal before placing a restoration on it varies widely. In general, practitioners allow 2–6 months for healing but preliminary studies show that early loading of implant may not increase early or long term complications. If the implant is loaded too soon, it is possible that the implant may move which results in failure. The subsequent time to heal, possibly graft and eventually place a new implant may take up to eighteen months. For this reason many are reluctant to push the envelope for healing.

• One-stage, two-stage surgery

When an implant is placed either a ‘healing abutment’, which comes through the mucosa, is placed or a ‘cover screw’ which is flush with the surface of the dental implant is placed. When a cover screw is placed the mucosa covers the implant while it integrates then a second surgery is completed to place the healing abutment.

Two-stage surgery is sometimes chosen when a concurrent bone graft is placed or surgery on the mucosa may be required for esthetic reasons. Some implants are one piece so that no healing abutment is required.

In carefully selected cases, patients can be implanted and restored in a single surgery, in a procedure labeled "Immediate Loading". In such cases a provisional prosthetic tooth or crown is shaped to avoid the force of the bite transferring to the implant while it integrates with the bone.

• Surgical timing

There are different approaches to place dental implants after tooth extraction. The approaches are:

• Immediate post-extraction implant placement.
• Delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement (2 weeks to 3 months after extraction).
• Late implantation (3 months or more after tooth extraction).

According to the timing of loading of dental implants, the procedure of loading could be classified into:

• Immediate loading procedure.
• Early loading (1 week to 12 weeks).
• Delayed loading (over 3 months)

• Immediate placement

An increasingly common strategy to preserve bone and reduce treatment times includes the placement of a dental implant into a recent extraction site. In addition, immediate loading is becoming more common as success rates for this procedure are now acceptable. This can cut months off the treatment time and in some cases a prosthetic tooth can be attached to the implants at the same time as the surgery to place the dental implants.

Dental Veneers

In dentistry, a veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and dental porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory, and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement. In contrast, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated.

• Uses
• Veneers are an important tool for the cosmetic dentist. A dentist may use one veneer to restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discolored, or multiple teeth to create a "Hollywood" type of makeover. Many people have small teeth resulting in spaces that may not be easily closed by orthodontics. Some people have worn away the edges of their teeth resulting in a prematurely aged appearance, while others may have poorly positioned teeth that appear crooked. Multiple veneers can close these spaces, lengthen teeth that have been shortened by wear, provide a uniform color, shape, and symmetry, and make the teeth appear straight.
• In the past, the only way to correct dental imperfections was to cover the tooth with a crown. Today, in most cases there are several alternatives: crown, composite resin bonding or porcelain veneer or even cosmetic contouring or orthodontics.

Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable; however there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. There are two main categories of dentures, depending on whether they are used to replace missing teeth on the mandibular arch or the maxillary arch. Patients can become entirely edentulous (without teeth) due to many reasons, the most prevalent being removal because of dental disease typically relating to periodontal disease and tooth decay. Other reasons include tooth developmental defects caused by severe malnutrition, genetic defects such as Dentinogenesis imperfecta, trauma, or drug use.

• Advantages

Dentures can help patients in a number of ways:
1. Mastication – chewing ability is improved by replacing edentulous areas with denture teeth.

2. Aesthetics – the presence of teeth provide a natural facial appearance, and wearing a denture to replace missing teeth provides support for the lips and cheeks and corrects the collapsed appearance that occurs after losing teeth.

3. Phonetics – by replacing missing teeth, especially the anteriors, patients are better able to speak by improving pronunciation of those words containing sibilants or fricatives.

4. Self-Esteem – Patients feel better about themselves.

• Types of dentures

Removable partial dentures: removable partial dentures are for patients who are missing some of their teeth on a particular arch. Fixed partial dentures, also known as "crown and bridge", are made from crowns that are fitted on the remaining teeth to act as abutments and pontics made from materials to resemble the missing teeth. Fixed bridges are more stable than removable appliances.

Complete dentures: conversely, complete dentures or full dentures are worn by patients who are missing all of the teeth in a single arch (i.e. the maxillary (upper) or mandibular (lower) arch).

Gum Treatments

Gum treatment is the treatment of active gum and jaw bone disease. Gum disease treatment can slow or stop the progression of gum disease. Since there are different stages of gum disease (from gingivitis to advanced periodontal disease, there are different levels of treatment. In some cases, the patient may be referred to a specialist. The bottom line is healthy teeth need gums.

Cause: our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless "plaque" on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque.  Plaque that is not removed can harden and form "tartar" that brushing doesn’t clean.  Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

Gingivitis: the longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called "gingivitis."  In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily.  Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.

Periodontitis:  when gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis" (which means "inflammation around the tooth.")  In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called "pockets") that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed.  The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.   

Risk Factors: Some of the things that can cause it are:

• Smoking.  Need another reason to quit smoking?  Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease.  Additionally, smoking can lower the chances for successful treatment.
• Hormonal changes in girls/women.  These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
• Diabetes.  People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including gum disease.
• Medications.  There are hundreds of prescription and over the counter medications that can reduce the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on the mouth.  Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease.  And some medications can cause abnormal overgrowth of the gum tissue; this can make it difficult to keep gums clean.
• Illnesses.  Several diseases and their treatments can also negatively affect the health of gums.
• Genetic susceptibility.  Some people are more prone to severe gum disease than others.

Who gets it: people usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30s or 40s.  Men are more likely to have gum disease than women.  Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease.  Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.

Prevention: is better than cure. Some of the things you can do are: 

• Brush your teeth twice a day (with a fluoride toothpaste)
• Floss every day
• Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning
• Don’t smoke

 Symptoms:

• Bad breath that won’t go away
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

Any of these symptoms may be a sign of a serious problem, which should be checked by a dentist immediately.

Treatment: the main goal of treatment is to control the infection.  The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease.  Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The doctor may also suggest changing certain behaviours, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve treatment outcome.

Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
The dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing.  Scaling is the procedure of scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line.  Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.  In some cases a laser may be used to remove plaque and tartar.

Root Canal

A Root Canal is a dental procedure to fix a tooth by removing the pulp chamber of the tooth and filling it with a suitable filling material. A root canal is usually performed when the tooth cannot be filled or restored any other way because the decay has reached the root of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. Fortunately, with the advent of modern science and technology, the procedure can be relatively painless.

Common Causes: the tiny canals contain the pulp of the tooth also commonly referred to as the nerve, which originates from the pulp chamber. Any trauma or infection of the nerve can result in the need for root canal therapy. Common reasons for root canal therapy include:

• Tooth decay invades the tooth, penetrating through the enamel and then the dentin in to the pulp.
• A tooth has become infected from decay.
• Trauma, such as a chipped or broken tooth, occurs and results in the exposure of the nerve.
• A tooth is slowly dying, due to aging or past trauma that did not result in the need for corrective treatment at the time of injury.

Procedure: root canal therapy can be performed in single or multiple visits. Before the procedure, though, your dentist will advise you as to the number of appointments necessary to complete the canal. If you had an infection or abscess in the tooth, the dentist may choose to have you start antibiotics before completing the root canal. Your dentist will begin the appointment by giving you local anesthetic to "numb" the tooth that is being worked on.
After your tooth is "numb", you may expect the following procedures:

• A dental x-ray of the tooth, displaying the entire tooth in the film (called a "periapical x-ray"), is taken for the dentist to refer to during the procedure.
• The dentist will place a rubber dam over your mouth. This plastic shield, made from either latex or non-latex materials, is used to keep the tooth isolated from your saliva and very dry before the final steps are taken to complete the procedure. The dentist will use different chemical solutions to disinfect the inside of the tooth. The rubber dam is helpful in keeping these solutions from entering your mouth.
• Next, the dentist will begin the procedure by drilling a small hole through the tooth in to the area known as the pulp chamber — this is where the nerve of the tooth is located.
• Your dentist will begin using tiny files, which are designed to remove the nerve from the tooth and any infected tissue. Certain files can be used by hand; others are connected to a slower moving dental hand piece, called a "rotary instrument." The dentist may require another x-ray at this point to determine the length of the root. It is critical that the entire nerve is removed to prevent toothaches after the procedure and re-infection of the tooth, which would result in the need for retreatment or extraction of the tooth. In order to prevent this, the dentist needs to get as close to the tip, or apex of the tooth, to remove all of the nerve. This is usually the longest part of the procedure.
• Once the dentist is confident that the entire tooth has been cleaned out, the tooth is dried with tiny absorbent paper points. When completely dry, the dentist will place a specially designed rubber material called "gutta percha" to seal the inside of the tooth.
• Your dentist will remove any remaining decay from the tooth and will decide to either put a temporary filling on to close the tooth or proceed with placing a permanent filling. If your root canal is performed by an endodontist, he will place a temporary restoration and send you back to your general dentist for the restoration. Chances are, your dentist will recommend having a crown put on to the tooth. Since the nerve and blood supply to the tooth has been taken away, the tooth may become brittle over time, resulting in a cracked tooth. A crown is designed to prevent this from happening.

Recovery: when the local anaesthetic has worn off, your tooth may be sore from the procedure. Your dentist may recommend a pain reliever to take at home, and depending on the circumstances behind your root canal, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear up any remaining infection in the tooth. If you were on antibiotics before the procedure, your dentist will instruct you to finish the remaining medication.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

It is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment. Because the disorder transcends the boundaries between several health-care disciplines — in particular, dentistry and neurology — there is a variety of treatment approaches and the discomfort does not always last long.
The temporomandibular joint is susceptible to many of the conditions that affect other joints in the body, including ankylosis, arthritis, trauma, dislocations, developmental anomalies, and neoplasia.
Symptoms: main symptoms include:

• Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
• Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
• Dull, aching pain in the face
• Earache (particularly in the morning)
• Headache (particularly in the morning)
• Hearing loss
• Migraine (particularly in the morning)
• Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
• Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Pain behind the eyes
• Dizziness (Vertigo)
• Sensitive teeth
• Facial pain

Cause: there are many external factors that place undue strain on the TMJ. Some are:

• Over-opening the jaw beyond its range.
• Unusually aggressive.
• Repetitive sliding of the jaw sideways or forward.

These movements may also be due to perverse habits or a poor alignment of the jaw or dentition. This may be due to:

• Trauma
• Bruxism
• Mal-alignment (poor alignment) of the teeth due to dental defect or neglect.
• Jaw thrusting (causing unusual speech and chewing habits).
• Excessive gum chewing or nail biting.
• Size of food bites eaten.
• Degenerative joint disease.
• Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome
• Lack of overbite

Treatment

Restoration: if the occlusal surfaces of the teeth or the supporting structures have been damaged due to dental neglect, periodontal diseases or trauma, the proper occlusion should be restored. E.g. Patients with bridges/crowns should be checked for improper height of the dental work, which could result in misalignment of the top and bottom teeth. Occlusal restoration reduces TMJ symptoms for some patients.

Splints (Night or Mouth Guard): reduce nighttime clenching in some patients. While splints do prevent loss of tooth enamel from grinding, use of a splint can worsen TMJ disorder symptoms for some people.

Pain Relief: while conventional analgesic pain killers such as acetaminophen based medication can provide relief for some sufferers, the pain is often more neurologic in nature, which often does not respond well to these drugs.

An alternative approach is for pain modification. Biofeedback using EMG (electromyography) is successful in balancing these muscles. A mirror can be used as a biofeedback device: Draw a vertical line on mirror. Relax the jaw by relaxing as you exhale. See the jaw relax in the midline. Practice the breathing and relaxing daily using the mirror. When the jaw does open midline the symptoms should reduce.

Long-Term Approach: before the attending dentist commences any plan or approach using medications or surgery, he would recommend you to perform a thorough search for inciting perverse jaw habits. Correction of any discrepancies from normal can then be the primary goal.