Answering Common Questions on TMJ Disorders

You have probably heard a lot of people talk about TMJ disorders, but do you know what it all means? How do you know if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder?

Below are answers to some common questions about TMJ disorders.

What is a TMJ disorder?
First, we should explain that TMJ actually refers to the Temporomandibular Joint, which is the formal name for your jaw joint(s). TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorders, which is the correct name for the muscle and/or joint symptoms that commonly arise when there is TMJ pain and dysfunction. You may have heard people refer to the actual disorder as TMJ, but this name is incorrect.

When I experience TMJ pain, what exactly is happening?
Let's first understand all of the parts that play a role in your pain. The temporomandibular joints connect your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull on both the left and right sides, which makes the lower jaw the only bone in the body with completely symmetrical joints at both ends. There is a ball-and-socket relationship between your jaw and your skull on both sides, but the unique part is the presence of a cushioning disk between the two surfaces in each joint. Each TMJ has a disk between the ball (condyle) and socket (fossa), and this sometimes ends up being an especially important area when trouble arises.

So, how do I know if I have TMD?
You can never be absolutely sure, but here are some symptoms you should be sure to share with us during your examination:

• Clicking. You may experience a clicking sound in the jaw, usually due to a shift in the position of the disk inside the joint. However, if you do not have pain or limited jaw function, this symptom may be insignificant.
• Muscle Pain. The next symptom is jaw muscle pain, usually in the cheeks or temples. If the muscle is sore or stiff in the morning, this pain is usually related to clenching or grinding in your sleep. However, there are more complex muscle pains that can spread to your head and neck.
• TMJ Pain. This third symptom refers to pain actually inside one or both of your jaw joints, technically described as arthritis of the TMJ.

If diagnosed, what can I expect from treatment?
We will first need to assess the damage to your TMJ, and from there we will recommend a course of treatment to relieve your pain. Treatment may range from hot or cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medications to physical therapy or a bite guard. We may also advise you to do jaw exercises at home. In general, we will do our best to treat your issue without orthodontic treatment or surgery.

If you would like more information about TMD, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Seeking Relief from TMD.”

Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer With a Healthy Whole Food Diet

While genetics certainly plays a role in a person's susceptibility to various forms of cancer (including oral cancer), there are lifestyle factors that also play a role.

In the case of developing oral cancer, there are a number of prominent lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce your risk: protect yourself from too much sun exposure; avoid the use of any type of tobacco (smoke and smokeless); limit your intake of alcoholic beverages to a moderate level; abstain from risky sexual behavior; and eat a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as other whole foods.

That last lifestyle change not only reduces your level of negative exposure from the environment, it may also provide a positive effect as well. For example, normal cellular function produces unstable molecules known as “free radicals” that can damage the DNA structure within the cell; this could be a precursor to the development of cancer. There are natural substances, however, that can help protect cells against the damage caused by free radicals. These are known as “antioxidants” and they are abundant in many plant-based foods. You, of course, may know them by other names: vitamins, carotenoids (found in red and orange fruits and vegetables) or fiber, to name a few.

A well-balanced diet can provide these and other kinds of cancer-fighting nutrients. And, it's important that you eat the source of these nutrients — fresh plant-based foods. Studies have shown that dietary supplements can't match the effectiveness of actually eating fruit and vegetables.

Besides lowering your cancer risk, a plant-based, whole food diet will also result in better oral health. Diets heavy in processed foods with high amounts of sugar or other bacteria-friendly substances inhibit good oral health.

If you would like more information on the role of diet in reducing your risk to cancer, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Diet and Prevention of Oral Cancer.”

Sealants and Protecting your Child from Cavities

As a parent, hearing that your child has a cavity is almost worse than hearing that you have a cavity. You wonder if the cavity is your fault — did you fail to teach your child proper oral hygiene? Should you have spent more time teaching him how to brush? Well, luckily, there are several ways, in addition to diligent oral hygiene, to protect your children's teeth from decay.

When your children are young, the newly erupted enamel of their teeth is more permeable and therefore more susceptible to tooth decay. As the enamel matures, it becomes stronger and more resistant to decay. Until this point, it is very important to protect the surfaces of your child's newly erupting teeth.

One way to protect the enamel is with fluoride, which makes the surface of enamel harder and less vulnerable to acid attack and decay. However, because of the deep pits and fissures in the teeth, they are still at high risk for decay and may need further protection. In these cases, we might recommend sealants, protective coatings placed in the pits and fissures of teeth to prevent decay. In doing so, these invisible coatings actually “seal” them from attack. The procedure is usually completely painless, and only occasionally, a very small amount of tooth enamel is removed. Though some children feel a quick tinge of cold during the procedure, this mild feeling is not enough to demand the use of numbing injections.

Generally, we will use sealants when we examine your child and find that decay is starting or likely to start in a tooth. However, in cases where children have a high risk of cavities, we may seal all permanent molar teeth and many baby molar teeth soon after eruption.

If you would like more information about sealants, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sealants for Children.”

A Solution for your Chipped Tooth

Whether it's a chipped tooth or a cut in your mouth, there is nothing pleasant about experiencing a dental injury. The good news is that advances in modern dentistry ensure that we'll be able to fix the issue with minimal discomfort and maximum results. If you've suffered a chipped tooth as a result of an unfortunate accident, composite resin bonding may be the ideal solution to your problem. The procedure is simple and painless and, most importantly, you'll surely be pleased with the results.

Here's how it works. The bonding is actually a tooth-colored material that is a combination of plastic and glass. The composites come in a wide range of colors that allow us to create a bonding that is nearly identical to your natural tooth. Once we have the composite material, we will bond it to the tooth by slightly roughening the tooth so that the resin fills in small cuts in the tooth surface. We'll utilize a special light to activate the resin, helping it bond and set. Finally, we'll polish and buff your tooth for a smooth, natural finish.

The procedure will involve very little preparation (drilling) of the tooth structure. In addition, since placing composite resin does not require us to outsource to a laboratory, we can usually complete this procedure in just one short visit.

Composite resin bonding is an excellent solution for small chips to your tooth, but the more tooth structure that is lost, the less effective they become. While the material is durable, it is not as strong as the tooth structure it replaces. There are therefore, some disadvantages. A large amount of resin may not stand up to biting force over time, and the composite can also stain as it ages. When you come to our office for an appointment, we will evaluate whether porcelain restoration might be more suitable for a long-term material solution.

If you would like more information about bonding, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Repairing Chipped Teeth.”

Questions about Cosmetic Dentistry

Once you've decided to make over your smile, you're embarking on an exciting journey to restore your smile and your confidence. As experts in cosmetic dentistry, you should consider us partners on this journey, here to help not only fulfill your vision, but also answer any questions while making you feel at ease throughout the process.

Today there are many options for making over your smile, and when we meet for an initial consultation, we'll discuss many of them with you. Until then, you might have some questions about cosmetic dentistry.

What is a cosmetic dentist?
We are restorative dentists who are experts in the art of smile design. We have put a great deal of emphasis on studying the concepts of smile design and the innovative materials used for a smile makeover. We have made it our life's work to remain up-to-date on the latest innovations in dentistry.

What is the difference between cosmetic and restorative dentistry?
There is some overlap between cosmetic and restorative dentistry. However, a cosmetic dentist goes beyond restoring your teeth to their proper function — our goal is to achieve the most optimal esthetic result and satisfy the vision that you have for your smile.

What can I expect at the initial consultation?
Before you come in for the initial consultation, ask yourself some important questions:

• Do you dislike the color of your teeth?
• Do you have chips or cracks that need to be fixed?
• Do you have crooked teeth or spaces between teeth that you would like eliminated?

The goal of this first appointment will be to determine exactly what you want out of your smile makeover. We suggest that you bring in photos to show us what you would like your future smile to look like. We will also conduct a thorough examination to determine if your cosmetic issues are the result of any underlying health issues. During this examination, we'll be doing a Smile Analysis, studying all of the elements of your smile, from teeth to gums and jaws. From there, we'll walk through treatment options, including pricing and timelines, and develop a plan of action.

If you would like more information about cosmetic dentistry and the procedures we may recommend for your smile makeover, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cosmetic Dentistry.”

Technology for Teens with Clear Aligners

Braces have traditionally been seen as a “rite of passage” for teenagers, and while most teenagers learned to “em-brace” their orthodontics, in some situations, braces were less appealing. For example, like many people, you may have old prom and homecoming photos featuring beautiful dresses, tuxedos and a mouth full of metal braces.

Luckily, thanks to modern technology, your teen has more options than ever before, including clear aligners. Clear aligners use a system of clear, removable trays to gradually straighten teeth. Each individual aligner is slightly different than the previous one and made of a virtually invisible plastic that completely covers the teeth. When worn for 22 hours per day for a two-week period before moving on to the next aligner, teeth can be moved into the desired position. This movement can take anywhere from 6 to 24 months, and aligners can be taken out for eating, drinking and other short periods of time.

Technology is really at its finest when it comes to Invisalign clear aligners. They are computer-generated, based on photographs, models of your teen's teeth and x-rays. The models are sent to a laboratory where a computer creates a 3D image, and we manipulate each tooth on the screen into a new position until they are all properly aligned. Special software then simulates the movement of your teen's teeth and essentially creates the course of treatment. Finally, we create plastic aligners for each step of the movement.

Technology is also responsible for making clear aligners a better option for teenagers over the past few years. Originally, teens were not seen as good candidates for clear aligners because their second molars have not fully grown into position and also because it was assumed, since the aligners are removable, teenagers might not be as diligent about wearing the aligners as adults. Technology is responsible for a solution for both of these issues. Eruption tabs serve as space-holders for teeth that haven't grown in, and clear aligners for teens have compliance indicators built-in that fade with time as each aligner is worn.

When you bring your teenager into our office for an initial consultation, we'll evaluate whether clear aligners will be an appropriate solution for his orthodontic needs.

If you would like more information about clear aligners, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Clear Aligners for Teenagers.”

Braces Have Come a Long Way, Says Vanna White

Everyone knows Vanna White as the elegant co-host of the popular game show Wheel of Fortune. But here's one thing you may not know: White is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as television's most frequent clapper, with an average of 720 claps per show — that's over 28,000 per season! And here's something else: the star with the megawatt smile wore braces as a kid, and she's not too shy to talk about it.

“I only had to wear them for a year and it was a good experience for me,” she told an interviewer for Dear Doctor magazine. But when it was time for her son to get them, White noticed something different. “We used to have those silver bands that went all the way around each tooth, and they don't have that anymore. It is fascinating to see how far they have come.”

We're glad she noticed! In fact, orthodontic appliances have advanced a good deal in the past decade or so. Instead of using metal bands, brackets holding the wire part of braces are now typically attached directly to the teeth with a dental adhesive. For an even less obtrusive look, ask about using colorless brackets instead of metal ones — that way, the only part that's clearly visible is the thin wire itself. And in some situations, braces can be placed on the lingual (tongue) side of the teeth, making them all but invisible.

Another type of nearly invisible appliance is the Invisalign clear orthodontic aligner. The aligner system consists of a series of precision-made transparent “trays” that fit over the teeth. Each tray is worn for a few weeks, and each moves your teeth by a small amount; together, they can help correct mild to moderate orthodontic problems. And the best part — they're really hard to notice! That makes them perfect for both adults concerned about a “professional” look, and image-conscious teens.

So if you're a TV star — or if you'd just like to have a brighter and better smile — it's never too late to get started! If you would like more information about orthodontics, please contact Dr. Cindy Sumarauw at 801-281-3500 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Magic of Orthodontics” and “Clear Orthodontic Aligners.”