Welcome to Lamia Dental:
Specialty Treatment
Root Canal Therapy
Inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that contains the nerves and blood supply for the tooth. When the pulp becomes infected due to decay or injury to the tooth, the pulp must be removed from the center of the tooth and the canals of each root. Once the infected pulp is removed, the remaining chamber is filled with a biocompatible rubber-based material to seal it off.
Most teeth that have had root canal therapy require protection with a tooth-like artificial covering known as a crown (see crown section). Teeth that have had the pulp removed are more susceptible to fracture.
Root canal therapy is an excellent way to save a tooth that would otherwise die and need to be removed. This procedure is performed in the office of Dr. Lamia using a state-of-the-art dental microscope.
Tooth Removal (Extraction)
Sometimes teeth can’t be restored and must be removed. Fortunately, however, today’s tooth removal procedures and understanding of anatomy help to make this process more comfortable for the patient than ever before. By carefully severing or breaking these ligaments, teeth may be extracted without causing trauma to the jaw bone or other teeth. Even wisdom tooth removal can be performed with minimal post-operative discomfort if simple procedures are followed based on the tooth location and anatomy of the jaw.
Once a tooth has been removed, it is generally necessary to fill the gap with a bridge, implant or denture of some type. (Wisdom teeth are generally not replaced due to their location.) Filling the gap keeps the other teeth from shifting to fill the gap. This shifting of teeth can occur over time and lead to bite problems, jaw joint pain and decay on other teeth.
We will help you determine the best follow up treatment after tooth removal.
Jaw Joint Therapy (TMD)
Many people suffer from such common ailments as persistent headaches, jaw pain, neck or shoulder pain, ringing in the ears, and popping of the jaw. Others snore, grind their teeth, or have limited jaw movement. Although these symptoms may be common, they are not necessarily untreatable.
Often, the underlying cause of these symptoms is called TMD (temporomandibular disorder) or TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome). This disorder often occurs when the teeth do not close together properly, including underbites and overbites. The misalignment of the teeth causes the jaw muscles to strain and force the jaw into better alignment. This constant straining leads to pain or other symptoms throughout the head and neck area.
Imagine forcing your arm and wrist into an awkward position to reach down a drain or under a sink. Now, imagine doing that consistently each day. Although your body may become accustomed to the abuse, you will eventually manifest symptoms of overuse, including joint and muscle pain. TMD is the same type of disfunction due to inappropriate use of your jaw muscles.
Treating TMD
Try relaxing your jaw for a moment. Although you won’t be completely able to release all tension, you will have a sensation of ease and balance in your face. Now, imagine biting your teeth together from that position, yet still maintaining that full degree of relaxation. This is the position in which your jaw is naturally designed to rest.
By calibrating the natural position of your jaw, we can then restore your bite to perfect balance, causing the jaw joint and teeth to work in their natural synergy.
Please visit us if you suffer from symptoms as diverse as:
- Headaches/migraines
- Facial pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears)
- Unexplained loose teeth
- Sensitive and sore teeth
- Jaw pain
- Limited jaw movement or locking jaw
- Numbness in the fingers and arms
- Worn or cracked teeth
- Clicking or popping in the jaw joints
- Depression
We can evaluate your bite and jaw joint relationship to let you know if you might be a candidate for dental treatment of TMD.