TMJ/TMD
What is TMJ/TMD and why does it matter to you?
Temporomandibular Disorder is a condition in which the joints in your jaw become sore and movement is restricted. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic face and neck pain as well as recurring headaches. These can all be signs of a TMJ/TMD condition that may require treatment.
Temporomandibular Disorder
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull. Pain in this area is characterized as Temporomandibular Disorder. This joint is similar to many others in the body, and as such, is susceptible to conditions like ankylosis, arthritis, and dislocations.
TMD Symptoms Include:
- Biting/chewing difficulty or discomfort
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
- Headaches/earaches in the morning
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Reduced ability to open/close the mouth
Should you notice any of these symptoms, please contact our office. Dr. Dischinger can diagnose and provide you with treatment options.
ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL SMILE WITHOUT THE METAL MOUTH!
Frequently Asked Questions:
The consultation typically lasts about 80 minutes.
The first 15 minutes of the consultation is dedicated to taking full orthodontic records including photos and x-rays at no charge which will assist our orthodontists in planning you or your child’s treatment.
During the next 30 minutes you will meet our orthodontist and have a 1-on-1 discussion with our treatment coordinator about possible orthodontic treatments. During this time, you will have the opportunity to discuss any orthodontic and dental problems you may be concerned about.
There are 5 essential questions that we will cover during the consultation:
- Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
- What treatment options are available to you to correct the problem? (i.e. braces, Invisalign, expander, etc.)
- What is the estimated length of treatment?
- What is the total cost of treatment?
- What payment options are available?
No, the consultation is completely FREE. This includes an examination, all photos and x-rays (orthodontic records), and a 30 minute consultation with our treatment coordinators and orthodontists.
We want you to be completely comfortable and well-informed in your decision making process.
There are no hidden fees. The entire consultation, including all photos, x-rays and the assessment by our orthodontist are completely free.
The cost of your treatment will vary depending on your specific dental requirements. Once we complete a new patient exam and create a treatment plan for you, you will meet with a treatment coordinator to discuss the costs and payment plans available to you. We will work with you to create a payment plan that is tailored to your needs and budget.
Yes! Kindly give us a call and we will try our best to accommodate you. If our schedule permits, we may be able see multiple family members back to back.
Of course! Second opinions are welcome! We hope that at the end of the consultation, you are educated, informed and able to make the best decision for you and your family.
Our services are provided by orthodontists. Orthodontists are dentists who, after finishing 4 years of dental school, then went to orthodontic school for another 3 years for extensive training with braces, Invisalign, expanders, bite correction appliances, etc. The only thing our doctors do – all day, every day – is straighten teeth! Our orthodontists will straighten teeth on hundreds of patients per year and thousands of patients in their lifetime.
On the contrary, most general dentists don’t do any orthodontics. The few that do treat only a handful of cases per year, and usually these cases are very simple cases (ie. retreatment of a patient who previously had braces but stopped wearing their retainers and teeth shifted slightly).
Orthodontics is something you only want to go through and pay for once, so trust your smile to a specialist 🙂
If you are in need of treatment, an orthodontist will recommend an appliance specific to your dental needs. Some of the treatment options available include: traditional braces, clear braces and Invisalign.
Treatment times vary depending on your specific course of treatment, but with the new cutting-edge technology, the average treatment time is 18-24 months.
Brush your teeth by using a regular soft toothbrush. Brush down from the top and then up from the bottom on each tooth; always brushing away from your gums. Use a gentle sawing motion to work the floss on each side of the two teeth the floss is between. Be careful not to pull with too much force around the archwire.
That varies per patient but there is new technology that uses memory shape, heat activated wires that work without needing painful adjustments, decreasing the amount of office visits necessary to complete treatment. The average time between visits can range from 6-8 weeks. As you come close to finishing treatment, the doctor may want to see you more often, typically between 4-6 weeks during your last few months, to fine tune your final tooth movements.