Problems with TMD and bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) are surprisingly common but can be straightforward to treat when diagnosed early. Bruxism often occurs during the night but symptoms include waking up with a painful jaw or aching teeth, noticing your teeth look more worn than before or feel sensitive to hot and cold. Bruxism can cause facial pain and problems with the jaw joints (TMD) and this may lead to chronic headaches which do not respond to conventional treatment.
We can examine your teeth and jaws and we will want to take digital x-rays and possibly a CT scan to gain a clearer picture of your teeth and jaw joints. Often these conditions can be treated with a simple night splint or night guard that is custom-made and which prevents the teeth from contacting. Also botulism toxin Type A (Botox) can be used on its own or in combination with a night guard to relax the muscles that cause us to grind our teeth and lead to facial pain.
Our practices have up-to-date digital dental x-ray equipment and a CT scanner. These are essential in enabling us to provide the highest level of care. This equipment is used to help us make an accurate diagnosis and to recommend the most suitable treatment.
Digital dental x-rays emit low levels of radiation and are extremely safe. Our on-site CT scanner is particularly useful for diagnosing more complex problems and means there is no need for you to travel to another location for this test.
We use the images obtained to plan your treatment, ensuring it is carried out as smoothly and comfortably as possible.
Wisdom teeth can cause problems as there is frequently insufficient room for them to erupt properly. As a result, wisdom tooth removal is a very common procedure. Regular dental x-rays will have helped identify any potential issues with wisdom tooth development and if it is clear they cannot erupt fully then we will recommend their extraction.
We plan all oral surgery very carefully to ensure it is comfortable and problem-free. It is very rare for any complications to develop as a result of this treatment. Usually this procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation (sleep Dentistry) however for straight forward cases a simple local anaesthetic can be considered.
Dr Nach has had training in helping people with snoring and/ or sleep apnoea using special mouthguards called Mandibular Advancement Splints.
Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) help treat snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea by repositioning the lower jaw to keep the airway open. They improve sleep quality, reduce daytime fatigue, are non-invasive, adjustable, and more comfortable than CPAP for many users. They are custom made and designed to fit each individual patient.
