TMJ

Many times patients will come to me with a complaint of TMJ pain.  The truth is that most often times the pain is not directly related to the joint but rather the muscles surrounding the joint, sometimes described as myo-facial pain dysfunction (MFPD).   Most commonly this pain is related to instability in the bite.  The good news is that most times this is treatable either with appliance therapy,  bite adjustments, orthodontics or restorative procedures.  One of the tools I frequently use is called the T-Scan.  The T-Scan is a pressure sensitive bite recorder.  It records your bite in real time and then allows us to slow it down for review on a computer to show areas that may either be hitting too hard or prematurely.  Both of these can cause your jaw muscles to spasm, leading to MFPD.

All About Implants

During the last 20 years, dental implants have become a desirable alternative to other methods of replacing missing teeth. Excellent success rates and a range of available options give dentists a variety of new ways to treat and replace lost teeth.

Your dentist can evaluate your case and tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants. Structurally, a dental implant is a titanium-based cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a period of time, other parts are placed on the implant to enable your dentist to eventually place a crown (cap) on the implant. Implants can also be used to support full or partial dentures, dramatically improving denture retention and stability.

Most patients with adequate bone mass can have implants, although it varies among individuals. Typically an x-ray and CT-scan are performed to determine if you have enough bone to place the implant, as well as to verify the size and kind of implant that should be placed.

Make an online appointment with Dr. Griggs today or call 732-613-9898 for more information.