Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Jaw Joint Pain

If you suffer from jaw joint pain, you know how it can interfere with your daily activities. In order to find relief, the first step is to obtain an accurate diagnosis. When the jaw joint is involved, pain is usually due to a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ may develop due to a jaw injury, arthritis, teeth clenching or a combination of these factors.

Dr. Kazi DDS at Lewelling Dental Care can help. Dr. Kazi is experienced in diagnosing jaw joint pain caused by TMJ. Part of the diagnostic process is taking a medical history and completing an exam. In addition, Dr. Kazi may recommend x-rays to rule out other causes of jaw pain.

Once an accurate diagnosis is made, you can discuss treatment options. Dr. Kazi will educate you on ways to decrease symptoms. For example, applying heat or ice may decrease pain. In some instances, special exercises may help stretch and strengthen the jaw and decrease symptoms.

Lewelling Dental Care also offers night mouth guards, which are often used in order to treat TMJ. The guard is worn while you sleep and helps prevent teeth grinding, which often contributes to symptoms of TMJ. Dr. Kazi will be happy to provide you with more information on night mouth guards and determine if you are a candidate.

For more information on jaw joint pain or to schedule an appointment, please call Lewelling Dental Care at (510) 276-6040 or visit us athttp://www.lewellingdental.com.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Dental Implants

Dental Implants
If you’re missing teeth or are in need of an extraction due to disease decay or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While there are other options for replacing missing teeth, bridges require alteration to adjacent teeth and dentures are not permanent. Dental implants, on the other hand, can not only last you a lifetime but also look and feel natural. At Lewelling Dental Care, we can use dental implants to help you achieve a complete smile that you can be proud of.
 
The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step in the process is to implant a titanium screw, which will serve as the replacement tooth root, in your jaw bone through an incision in your gums. The gums are then sutured, and the jaw bone is left to heal around the implant. This process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.
 
Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either fixed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that looks and feels natural.
 
To learn more, call us at (510) 276-6040 or visit www.LewellingDental.com