TMJ specialist Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Can Dental Crowns Treat My TMJ?

Posted on December 15, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I wear a custom nightguard for TMJ. It helps with jaw clicking and migraines. My teeth grinding has worn down my molar teeth. One tooth cracked last week. The TMJ specialist recommended adjusting my bite with inlays or crowns on my lower teeth to alleviate TMJ discomfort. Are putting crowns on my teeth a way to treat TMJ, or is it a waste of money? – Thanks. Max from Fort Lauderdale

Max,

Treating TMJ disorder is common and acceptable by using dental crowns to rebuild your bite and change how your teeth come together. Sometimes, a full-mouth reconstruction involving crowning all the teeth is recommended. Sometimes, a dentist may recommend full-mouth reconstruction or dental crowns on all teeth.

Although people may use the term “TMJ specialist,” TMJ treatment is not a recognized dental specialty.

What Kind of Training Does a Dentist Need for Complex TMJ Cases?

Comprehensive TMJ treatment often requires advanced training beyond standard dental school education. Because jaw movements are intricate, this typically involves post-graduate training in complex restorative dentistry.

Dentists seeking advanced training in TMJ treatment often attend renowned institutions such as:

Piper Education and Research Center
Spear Education
The Dawson Academy
The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
The Pankey Institute

Completing the entire curriculum from one of these institutes helps a dentist achieve optimal expertise.

Based on your description, your current dentist may understand TMJ treatment well. The effectiveness of your mouthguard suggests that your current treatment plan is showing positive results.

It may be beneficial to discuss your treatment plan with your dentist, including any specific training they have received in TMJ treatment.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie

Will Jaw Pain and Popping Recur with a New Bridge?

Posted on September 21, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I had jaw pain and popping with my last dental bridge and had to see a TMJ specialist to correct it. I got that bridge in 2001, so it is time to replace it. I relocated and switched dentists in 2014. Three weeks ago, I asked her about a new bridge, and she recommended a zirconia bridge. The pretreatment estimate includes a porcelain upgrade, which my dentist did not explain. I’ve had a billing issue in the past with this practice, so before I call, can you explain the porcelain upgrade? Is this related to my previous TMJ issues? Or should I be concerned that the jaw pain and popping will recur? Thanks, Hannah

Hannah,

We understand your concerns about a new dental bridge, especially if you’ve had TMJ concerns that required a specialist to resolve.

Will Jaw Pain and Popping Recur with a New Dental Bridge?

X-ray side-skull view of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Get a second opinion to prevent or resolve temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complications

Jaw pain and popping will not recur with a new dental bridge if your dentist has advanced occlusion and bite training. A dentist with post-graduate occlusion and bite training understands how your teeth should meet when you close your mouth or chew. Also, the contact force between your teeth affects your facial and jaw muscles.

Are TMJ and Zirconia Crowns Related?

Online articles about zirconia crowns have varying opinions about how zirconia crowns affect your TMJ (jaw joint) risks. Your dentist must take accurate impressions of your mouth and ensure your bridge fits well and is in harmony with your lips and bite.

What Is a Porcelain Upgrade for Your Bridge?

The dental office’s terminology of a porcelain upgrade is not a term that dentists commonly use. You should call the office and ask for an explanation of the terminology. You can check the insurance company for their opinion on the upgrade if you have dental insurance. Your pretreatment estimate will help you anticipate out-of-pocket costs.

Although we are unsure of what “porcelain upgrade” means, below are possibilities:

Your dentist may be planning for premium crowns if the bridge affects your front teeth.
The framework for your crowns may be a more expensive metal or metal-free.

However, ensure your dentist gives you a thorough explanation before you agree to treatment. If you are uncomfortable with the answer, we suggest getting a second opinion from a dentist with TMJ training.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Learn more about TMJ symptoms and treatment.

My Gums Are Too Swollen for a Dental Bridge

Posted on July 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dentist was supposed to take impressions of my mouth this week, but we had to delay it again because my gums and mouth are still swollen after extractions. I had gum disease, and my doctor prescribed an antibiotic before and after the extractions in December. The infection was getting better, then got worse again. My dentist extended the prescription. I take ibuprofen for discomfort, but the swelling is not improving. The right side of my face is warm and feels hard. My doctor asked me to wait until late next week to see what happens, but this doesn’t feel right. How long does it take for an infection to clear so that I can get a dental bridge? I have taken extra time off work because I am embarrassed to go in without any teeth. Thank you for your help. Milton from Lansing, MI

Milton,

Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your mouth and X-rays, it sounds like the infection is not improving. It would be best if you talked to your dentist again.

What If a Mouth and Gum Infection Won’t Go Away?

TMJ issues can result from a dental bridge that doesn’t fit well.

When a mouth and gum infection linger, let your dentist know that the antibiotic is not working. Although a dentist may use a standard antibiotic like amoxicillin for an infection, it is ineffective for every patient. When your body does not respond to the medicine, it usually means the bacteria is resistant.

What to do next:

Ask your dentist for a prescription for another antibiotic.
Act quickly to avoid further inflammation and discomfort.
Take the medication as prescribed and finish it all, even if you improve.

Your dentist can take accurate impressions of your mouth after all the swelling resolves and your gum tissue is healthy. Rushing impressions will affect your dental bridge’s fit, disrupting your bite and causing jaw pain and other TMJ symptoms.

Contact your dentist promptly for a new prescription. If your infection lingers, see a periodontist (gum specialist).

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Why Does One of My Three Dental Crowns Hurt?

Posted on April 4, 2023 by AllSmiles.

One of my upper left molars has been hurting for two months. My dentist thought the tooth might be fractured and covered it with the crown. It hurts even when I chew soft food. When I put pressure on the tooth with my finger, it feels better, but the pain returns when I lift my finger. This is so weird.

My dentist adjusted the crown, but the teeth still hurt. I’ve had other crowns with no problems like this. Is something wrong with my bite? What could be causing my tooth pain? – Thanks. Carlton from Gatlinburg, TN

Carlton

Thank you for your question.

Your description sounds like your bite is still off.

Why Does Your Dental Crown Hurt?

A poorly placed crown can push your teeth out of alignment and cause pain. Pain from decay or infection in your teeth will not improve if you push down on them, so decay or infection is not the problem. Either your gums or the crown is causing your symptoms.

Untreated concerns with dental crowns can lead to TMJ discomfort

If your dentist adjusts your bite correctly, you can clench your teeth and put pressure on them without discomfort. Your dentist might need to adjust other teeth, too. She may be hesitant about adjusting your teeth if she only worked on the tooth that has the crown. Sometimes small shifts in one tooth affect others, and adjusting adjacent teeth is the only way to align your bite correctly.

A misaligned bite can cause problems like these:

TMJ disorder
Headaches
Neck pain
Nighttime teeth grinding
Jaw pain

Get a second opinion if your dentist is unable to correct your bite. You can look for a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

How Long Does TMJ Last?

Posted on February 23, 2023 by AllSmiles.

How long does TMJ last? Since late October, I have had horrible jaw pain and clicking when I open my mouth or eat. I also have very painful and clogged ears. Sometimes, they ring, which affects my sleep. I am concerned that I feel tired when I wake up after pain and ear-ringing episodes. My dentist said surgery would just make it worse, and the medicine would help, but it is not helping. Will the pain eventually go away? – Morgan

Morgan,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental. We understand your concerns about your TMJ discomfort and other symptoms. Although Dr. Delaune would need to perform a comprehensive exam to identify the source of your discomfort, we will explain the basics about how long symptoms can last.

How Long Does TMJ Last?

TMJ can last a few days to a few weeks or longer depending on several factors, including:

The severity of your case
The cause of your symptoms
Whether you get treatment, including self-help or professional care
Your compliance with treatment recommendations

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

TMJ pain and discomfort sometimes go away with self-care, including TMJ exercises, alternately applying heat and cold to the side of your face, and using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, you may not be completely relieved of the symptoms, but they can improve. Some cases require professional care. If you have lingering symptoms, we suggest an appointment with a dentist with training and experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ. You may need to wear a custom night guard to relax your jaw and relieve the TMJ joint and facial muscles while sleeping.

Schedule an appointment with a dentist experienced in this area. They will evaluate your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

Did My Fall Cause a TMJ Flare-up?

Posted on November 28, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I’ve been ill for almost two weeks, and my balance has been off. Four days ago, I fell in my bedroom and hurt my face and knee. The impact was not severe, but I have bruises on my left brow, cheek, and knee. Since I fell, I noticed some jaw pain that I hadn’t felt for five years. I previously had TMJ issues, but could a fall cause a flare-up? Khloe

Khloe,

We are sorry to hear about your fall! Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your jaw for an accurate diagnosis, we can provide some insight.

Can a Fall Cause a TMJ Flare-up?

A fall or any impact on your face or jaw can cause a TMJ flare-up. The facial implications can result in these jaw injuries:

Sprained muscles
Fracture
Dislocation

Any injuries can affect the jaw joint, muscles, or bone.

What Can You Do to Sooth a TMJ Flare-up?

If you are experiencing a TMJ flare-up, you can try at-home remedies. See your dentist or doctor immediately if your symptoms are severe or worsen.

TMJ home remedies may include:

Apply a cold pack or moist heat to the side of your face
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or a muscle relaxer
Temporarily change your diet and eat foods that require minimal chewing
Wear a custom night guard
Perform TMJ exercises

Schedule an Appointment for an Exam

If your discomfort persists, your doctor may decide to take x-rays to determine whether you fractured any bones when you fell or if your teeth alignment is causing your symptoms. If your jawbone is intact, your doctor may recommend therapy, trigger-point injections, or other treatment to soothe the TMJ flare-up.

If your dentist still needs advanced TMJ training, schedule an exam with an experienced dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Dr. Delaune attended The Dawson Academy for TMJ training.

My Jaw Is Sore from a New Dental Implant Bridge

Posted on August 4, 2022 by AllSmiles.

After getting a new implant bridge in late June, my upper and lower teeth don’t meet when I chew on the right side of my mouth. Also, my jaws are sore when I wake up in the morning. After getting the bridge, I felt jaw soreness, and my dentist adjusted my bite, but something is still wrong. I am anxious about whether I need more dental work or a new bridge. Will you please tell me what my dentist might recommend for the problems with my bridge so I can anticipate it or know whether to get a second opinion? Thank you. Nichelle from SC

Nichelle,

Thank you for your question.

A new dental bridge should not misalign your bite. It takes advanced training for a dentist to restore dental implants with a bridge and achieve a balanced bite.

Why Is a New Implant Bridge Causing Jaw Soreness?

When a new implant bridge causes jaw soreness and your bite is off, the implants are in the wrong position, or your dentist incorrectly placed the bridge.

Bridge placement – Your dentist may have placed the bridge incorrectly or not secured it well.
Incorrect implant placement – Highly skilled restorative dentists make a surgical guide for the oral surgeon or periodontist to place your implants precisely. Without the guide, a surgeon may place the implants in the wrong position, and the crowns or dental bridge will not fit. Miscommunication with the surgeon can lead to a misaligned bite.

Schedule an Implant Bridge Second Opinion

We recommend finding a restorative dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite for a second opinion on your implant bridge. The dentist will examine your implants and bridge to determine if they are mismatched.

If your dentist cannot resolve the issue, you can request a refund for these reasons:

Your dental bridge does not function well.
Your jaw soreness suggests you are beginning to experience TMJ disorder
An advanced implant dentist gave you a second opinion and found the cause of your discomfort.

Request your dental records before switching dentists. Your new dentist may be willing to help you get a refund if your current dentist is uncooperative.

Metairie, Louisiana dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

What Foods Should I Eat or Avoid for TMJ Pain?

Posted on April 29, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I’m trying to decide if I really need to see a dentist or if I can manage what I think is TMJ on my own. My friend researched online and found a site that says if I eat whole foods, my TMJ symptoms will improve. It didn’t promise the symptoms would go away, but it said they would get better. I’ve had mild jaw pain for the past three years, but it’s getting worse. Within the last three weeks, my jaw has locked during my sleep. That is a painful and scary feeling. Can you tell me what foods I should eat to improve TMJ? Anias from Vancouver, WA

Anias,

Whole foods can nourish the body and improve many different conditions. But TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues may not be related to what you eat. Nerve and muscle tension cause TMJ. Jaw muscles can get strained, injured, or sore. An accident, bruxism (teeth grinding), or facial trauma can provoke symptoms.

What Foods Can You Eat to Improve TMJ?

The foods you can eat to improve TMJ symptoms are related to food texture. The TMJ Association gives this advice on food choices:

Choose soft or blended foods to give your jaw muscles a break.
Try soup or pasta.
Eat soft fruits like bananas and soft steamed vegetables.

What Foods Should You Avoid to Improve TMJ?

Avoid these food to improve TMJ symptoms:

Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, such as carrots and nuts.
Avoid chewy foods and snacks, including taffy and chewing gum.
Avoid foods that require you to open your mouth wide to bite them, such as apples.

How Can You Relieve TMJ Discomfort?

Visit a dentist with advanced TMJ training

You can relieve TMJ discomfort by following these suggestions:

Alternate warm and cold compresses on the side of your face where you feel discomfort.
Use anti-inflammatory medication (unless it conflicts with other medicines you are taking or is otherwise not tolerable).
Get a dental exam to determine whether you grind your teeth and will get relief by wearing a custom mouth guard at night.

Schedule a consultation with a dentist with advanced TMJ training. You will eventually need an exam and x-rays to identify the source of your discomfort.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

tmj and sleep apnea

Posted on August 31, 2019 by writeradmin.

A friend of mine told me I should talk to a TMJ dentist because I’ve been struggling with sleep apnea. I’m not sure how reliable the source is, but thinking back, I really think my jaw problems and sleep apnea did start around the same time.

Back then, I was told to get a nightguard. I got one and I wore it for a while, but I don’t remember there being any difference and I found it cumbersome to sleep with, so I stopped using it and don’t remember what I did with it. I never got diagnosed with sleep apnea officially—my ex said I had it and that I snored. I figured if the fix for that was a full-on mask, there was no point in doing the sleep study since I couldn’t even tolerate the night guard. But, now I’m wondering if I should make my way back into the TMJ dentist again, just to see if I can have a new guard made that will address both. How viable is this?

Thank you,

Oscar

Dear Oscar,

You’re asking some great questions and are sort of on the right track. Let’s break things down a bit.

Sleep Apnea Involves Breaks of Breathing While You Sleep

There are three main forms of sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: With obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles of the throat relax and block airways. It’s more common with people who carry extra weight, have allergies, take certain medications, and those who drink alcohol, among other things.
Central Sleep Apnea: With central sleep apnea, the brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles which control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea: When someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea, it’s referred to as complex sleep apnea.

All Forms of Sleep Apnea Must Be Treated

When you wake up repeatedly through the night, your body has trouble making it through the various sleep cycles, so you never get a full night of sleep, no matter how many hours you spend in bed. That can lead to things like being grouchy, groggy, tired, and listless. In severe cases, sleep deprivation produces symptoms that are worse than being drunk, which makes it unsafe to drive and engage in a number of activities.

TMJ Dentists Help with Jaw Disorders

Most people refer to the concept of jaw issues as “TMJ,” but the acronym is short for temporomandibular joint, which is your jaw joint. When something’s wrong with it, it’s referred to as a temporomandibular joint disorder or temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

TMD Has Many Known Causes

In most cases, it’s the muscles which support the joint that become problematic. For example, a traumatic injury, like from a car accident, can cause TMD. Grinding, clenching, stress, and arthritis can all result in TMD too.

All Forms of TMD Must Be Treated

People who don’t treat TMD wind up with pain and tenderness, popping and clicking sounds as they open and close their mouths, difficulty opening, trouble chewing, and so forth. When grinding and clenching are involved, teeth issues also set in. Teeth may wear down or become loose. Dental work may wear out or break. The symptoms become worse over time if nothing is done.

If Malalignment is Contributing to Your Sleep Apnea, a TMJ Dentist Can Help

Research shows a huge correlation between sleep apnea and TMD. People who have one usually have the other. That’s not surprising, because if your jaw is not aligned properly, it will cause undue stress to your temporomandibular joint and the muscles which support it, plus cause your tongue to lay in an unnatural way. A doctor who performs a physical exam and takes x-rays may be able to give you a definitive answer, but ultimately, you need treatment for both. Go visit the TMJ dentist for treatment and see if that helps your sleep apnea. If not, then you’ll still want to follow through with your sleep apnea treatment.

This blog is sponsored by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane DeLaune.

Custom mouthpiece for grinding because of meds?

Posted on April 5, 2019 by writeradmin.

My dentist is trying to convince me to get this custom-fitted device to sleep with. He says I’m grinding my teeth because of the medicine I take. First, wouldn’t I know if I happened to be grinding my teeth and second, can medicines really make you do that? Does it even matter?

Clark

Dear Clark,

custom-fitted trays — Custome-fitted mouthpiece’s will protect your teeth.

I promise your dentist isn’t trying to pull one over on you. Everything he said is based in fact. Most patients doen’t realize they are grinding their teeth, because it happens at night while they’re sleeping.

The Consequences of Grinding and Clenching

Griding and clenching your teeth is known as bruxism. When you do that habitually, whether intentionally or not, your teeth begin to wear down. In some cases, I’ve seen them worn down to nubs and the patient had to have all their teeth crowned. This is known as a full-mouth reconstruction and is very costly.

In addition to wearing down the teeth, you can also end up chipping or even cracking them . Cracked teeth will also have to be crowned in order to save them.

A nightguard protects your teeth from the force of these motions. Even though you likely won’t be able to stop doing them, your teeth won’t bear the consequences.

Be on the Lookout for TMJ Disorder

With constant motion of your jaw in grinding, you’re in danger of another kind of problem. You could wear down your temporomandibular joint, leading to TMJ disorder.

Here are some symptoms to look out for:

Jaw Pain
Clicking in the Jaw
Migraines, especially in the morning

If any of these pick up, you’ll want to see a dentist who has some special training in TMJ.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.