Hi-Tech: No More Putty or Metal Brackets for Finishing Cases

It is no longer necessary to put metal on your teeth for almost all orthodontic treatment. The new generation of clear aligners can in most cases work better and be healthier for you than the old-style metal brackets and wires. Because of the kind of orthodontics, Sleep and TMJ Therapy, we have found a better path to lift up (erupt)... read more »

The Case of: “Why Does This Take So Long?”

This is a question we hear at Sleep and TMJ Therapy almost every day. When a person hears that they need to wear an appliance or two for 12-18 months they almost inevitably want to know why it takes so long. Many people feel that the slipped discs can just be ‘pushed back into place’ and then the problem is... read more »

How Oral Health Affects the TM Joints

It is really important to be aware of your oral health for so many reasons. Let’s start off with something that is considered to be really obvious; the loss of a tooth. When gum disease or a cavity gets to the point where a tooth is damaged beyond repair, it is  likely that you will have to extract that tooth.... read more »

Considerations When You Have TMD

Most of us who have TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) ask our doctors what restrictions we have to endure when wearing appliances in our mouths. One of the first things to consider is what to eat. There is actually a recipe book dedicated to just that purpose! Basically, if you are wearing ALF appliances, then you have the usual turbos on the... read more »

The Case of Why We Need a Gorgeous Smile (From a TMJ Perspective)

What a gorgeous smile means to most of us is a great set of pearly whites that show off how healthy we are and how much we care about ourselves. Caring about your smile also translates into caring about your entire body which just makes good sense. What this means to you is that by keeping all your teeth, your... read more »

Why You Need Your Dentist While Undergoing TMD Treatment

When you are working with our office and wearing your TMD appliances - the ALF, the Modified Gelb, or a combination thereof, it is really important to keep up with your dentist to make sure the teeth and gums are doing well. Every new patient who walks into our office is made aware that they must work with their dentist... read more »

The Case of the Misunderstood Surgery

It really is unfortunate that TMJ surgery is so misunderstood. Most patients, when told they might benefit from surgery, look it up online only to discover very scary pictures where the incision goes from the ear down to the chin on each side of their face. Then, after more research they learn that their teeth are wired shut for two... read more »

Are Teeth Extractions Helpful?

In the past, it was quite common for an orthodontist to order extractions of perfectly good teeth to make the process of moving teeth and creating space with the use of braces easier. So many children are now presenting with narrow arches and crowded teeth that it made sense (somewhat) to remove the crowded teeth, thus allowing the orthodontic work... read more »

The Case of the No Pain Patient

  Here we are in the middle of 2022, and I have to admit that every day I am in the office I see incredible things. At this point I am so used to hearing that our patients feel better, headaches are down and they are sleeping. This has become the norm. But every now and then it just does... read more »