Often mistakenly attributed as a symptom of a wider condition, TMJ is the collective name for a series of muscle and joint complaints that affect the temporomandibular joint around the face and mouth. TMJ limits movement of the jaw and causes pain. The condition is poorly understood which often leads to misdiagnosis and patients having to wait many months or even years before they are properly treated.

TMJ can affect as many as one ten people at some level but only a tiny fraction of these people receive the treatment that they need for the condition. Unfortunately, the main characteristic of TMJ is pain. Other symptoms include limited or difficult movement of the jaw, ringing in the ears, dizziness and stiffness. In most cases TMJ will only be mild and the symptoms temporary. It will often clear up on its own and require no further treatment but for those patients affected by a chronic case of TMJ, life can become very difficult. It is necessary, if you think you are suffering from TMJ to make an appointment to see a Central London dentist as soon as possible.

Even though there is no standard diagnostic test for TMJ, Central London dentists will be experienced enough to spot the tell-tale signs and make a diagnosis. In most cases TMJ is caused either by genetic predisposition or as the result of a minor misalignment of the teeth. The dentist will attempt to correct the alignment and alleviate the pain to allow for a speedy recovery.

Misaligned teeth are very common and can really spoil the appearance of the smile. This can lead to self-confidence and self-esteem issues if not corrected. As you are probably aware, the treatment for misaligned or crooked teeth involves using dental braces. However, you probably aren’t aware of the many different types of orthodontic braces there are on the market and how each has its own very distinct advantage.

For many years, the only treatment option that was really available was the traditional train-track fixed metal braces. These were effective but let’s be honest, they weren’t the most attractive things to look at and treatment time could be as long as three years, which is quite a sacrifice. Modern orthodontic treatments have aimed to reduce this treatment time as well as addressing the aesthetic issues that also came with conventional braces.

Straighteners such as the Inman aligner and Invisalign have been specifically designed to be far more discreet than fixed metal braces. Particularly the Invisalign treatment, which involves a series of clear plastic retainers that are virtually invisible in the mouth. The Inman aligner offers treatment times up to three quarters shorter than the average treatment with fixed braces.

Other modern braces such as Six Month Smile and Damon aim to provide a more comfortable treatment free of the painful tightening appointments that were common with train track braces. The Damon brace’s revolutionary self-ligating wires mean that fewer appointments are needed which is far more convenient. You can find out more about the various orthodontic treatments by asking a Central London dentist at your next check up.

Teeth grinding (i.e., bruxism) has been treated in the City of London Dental Clinic for some time. You may be unaware that you are grinding your teeth as it usually occurs while you are asleep. There are several reasons why you may grind your teeth, including mal-positioned teeth and teeth and/or skeletal discrepancies between your upper and lower teeth. You are usually more aware of your children grinding their teeth due to being awake while your child is sleeping. Teeth grinding in children usually occur due to their primary teeth arrangements (i.e., edge-to-edge) and the development of their secondary teeth. When the adult teeth come into the mouth, this grinding usually subsides. Your City of London dentist will perform a complete examination of your teeth and gums complete with X-rays and study models of your teeth. Then they will recommend the proper course of action for you and/or your child.

Teeth grinding may not be a large problem, however may eventually lead to mouth, jaw, face, neck, and even back pain. Missing and/or misaligned teeth, faulty fillings, crowns/bridges, and removable full or partial dentures, can alter your normal bite and cause you to grind your teeth. Your City of London dentist will examine your mouth and teeth both inside your mouth and using your study models in order to determine if wear and grinding patterns exist. If wear patterns exist, an occlusal equilibration may be performed by your dentist. In addition, your dentist may have an acrylic mouth guard fabricated so that you no longer damage your teeth. These mouth guards can also serve as a diagnostic aid for your dentist. Since the acrylic is softer than teeth enamel, your dentist will be able to detect the wear patterns on the appliance. Your City of London dentist may decide that a specialist in the field can help and you will then be referred to this specialist. Visit your City of London dentist to get the help you need with teeth grinding!

Bruxism is the term used by dentists referring to the act of teeth grinding. This problem has been successfully treated in London for many years. Bruxism usually occurs when you are sleeping, and there are numerous causes, including but not limited to: a discrepancy in jaw position when the teeth meet upon biting creating a slip when the teeth are clenched together; malposition or misalignment of teeth; and stress. Bruxism also occurs in children, usually because their teeth are not touching each other properly during their development. This will not usually last when the adult teeth develop and are biting together in the mouth. However, it is important for both children and adults to visit the dentist when teeth grinding occurs, and to also have their regular dental check-ups.Although bruxism is not a major health problem, it may initiate problems, such as mouth, jaw and facial pain. Bruxism can also occur because of faulty dental restorations, ill-fitting partial or full dentures, missing teeth, teeth prematurely biting together, etc. Your dentist can place a thin piece of carbon-like paper between your teeth to see if you are biting prematurely on certain teeth. There are also numerous other tests that can be performed by your dentist to see where the problem may lie. Your dentist may fabricate either a customized soft rubbery appliance or hard clear acrylic appliance for you to wear as both a diagnostic aid, or as treatment for your teeth grinding. If your regular dentist is unable to help you, you may be referred to the proper specialist for help.

There are several common therapies for bruxism. One of these is stress management, and referral to the proper professional. However, this may not be easy to accomplish, because some people do not readily see the mouth-mental health connection. As previously mentioned, an acrylic appliance can help both diagnose and provide dental therapy to people that grind their teeth. Also, a soft rubbery appliance can be manufactured. These appliances should be custom made for each individual, using a mold of their mouth that is taken by a licensed dentist. Dental procedures that restore the proper bite and functioning of the patient’s teeth may also be necessary, along with bite adjustments where the dentist marks the teeth and properly adjusts the patient’s bite. Perhaps helping the patient to overcome some long-developed bad habits such as improper teeth, mouth and jaw positioning would help. Sometimes dentists will use short-term medications to help to relax their patient, but this could lead to dependence on these medications and this is not highly recommended.