I have headaches and a clicking jaw, what could be wrong?
TMJ/TMD, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction has many signs and symptoms. Some of which you would not think are dental related. Headaches, neck aches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, clicking and popping jaws, jaw pain and others. For more information click here.
A common question we get is what are veneers?
Veneers or Porcelain Laminate Veneers are the strongest way to repair a broken portion of your tooth. They are used to correct the same things as bonding does. They can cover up discoloration, repair a damaged tooth or change the shape or size of your teeth. They are much stronger than bonding. They will not pick up stain like bonding does. They will retain their luster, unlike bonding. They will usually last 4 or more years. I have seen them last 20 years.
Some veneers can be made with little or no preparation of the teeth. This will increase the thickness of the teeth and not everyone is a candidate for this no-prep veneer. Ask your dentist if you are.
Ideally, models of your teeth can be waxed-up so one can see the size and shape of the final product before any preparation has been started. This is a two appointment procedure. The first appointment is the preparation phase. A small amount of enamel is removed off the front of the tooth and an impression is made. The impression is sent to the lab and the lab makes a front of the tooth, much like a false fingernail, out of porcelain. The dentist tries in, bonds, trims and polishes the veneers at the next appointment. The seating is usually a time consuming appointment and can last for hours. But usually quite worth the wait.
Compared to crowns, veneers are a more conservative method for restoring a moderately fractured tooth. They average from $750 to $2000 per tooth. Make sure you select a dentist that has the proper training to do an excellent job. Make sure your dentist shows you photos of actual cases that they have performed to see the quality of their work.
Welcome to Dentistinfo. One question we receive consistantly is why should I replace a missing tooth?
Once a tooth is lost the teeth start to shift, this make take some time to notice but it happens fairly rapidly. After a few years the size of the opening has closed dramatically. What used to be a fantastic smile is a gapped hole smirk. Some just prefer not to smile big anymore because they are self-conscious of their looks. The cheeks or the lips can appear sunken in. You may speak differently and sound differently. What once was a stable bite is now changing.
What once was a self cleansing tooth arrangement is now a plaque trapping nightmare. Chewing can be more difficult and tooth decay becomes more prevalent. These are just some of the effects of losing a tooth. This situation can cause TMJ problems and can cause headaches and other discomfort. Furthermore, bone starts to shrink away were the tooth once was, causing a defect in the bone and making restoring the tooth much more difficult. Only a natural tooth or an implant will preserve the integrity of the bone. To minimize the possibility of problems the missing tooth should be replaced promptly. There are a many ways to replace that missing tooth or teeth. Click on replace a missing tooth to see the options on replacing missing teeth.