Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)

Each of us has a temporomandibular joint. This joint is a hinge that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull which lay in front of each ear. Without this joint, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the foods that we love, yawn when we are tired, or speak. If you’ve ever woken up in the morning with jaw pain, or notice a clicking or popping noise when you chew, Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS may need to evaluate you to rule out a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Though there is no known cause of TMD, specialists have some guesses. An injury to the face, grinding the teeth because of bruxism, or stress on the joint can lead to problems. TMD often causes discomfort and pain and may make eating or speaking seem like a difficult task. Once you have been diagnosed with TMD, Dr. Pandya will likely suggest a mouth guard or a night guard to wear during sleep to prevent further complications.

If you have questions or concerns about TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com. 

Crown Lengthening

Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS loves to help every patient experience their best smile.  Even when patients take great care of their teeth, they may think their gums keep them from their perfect smile.  It is normal for some people to have more gum tissue than others and when it results in a gummy smile, we can correct it by a procedure called crown lengthening.  

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the surface of the teeth and sculpting the gum line.  Dentists often do this in order to expose more of a tooth and affix a restoration like a crown. We also offer crown lengthening for cosmetics so that any patient can have their perfect smile.  Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  The procedure only comes with minor discomfort afterwards, and result is a pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile.  Contact us if you think your smile would benefit from crown lengthening!

For more information about crown lengthening, visit www.goinggrin.com. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135.

TMJ

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint TMJ, those disorders are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD is not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. At our practice in New Hyde Park, NY, Dr. Amit Pandya can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.  

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. TMD’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and popping or clicking sounds when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Pandya to relieve symptoms with mouthguards or nightguards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding in New Hyde Park, NY, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 516-233-2135. For more information, visit www.GoingGrin.com.