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562-860-6626

13017 Artesia Blvd, Suite D120, Cerritos, CA 90703

Dentist Cerritos

Jesmine Boghawala DDS

10929 South St #110B

Cerritos, CA 90703

 (562) 860-6626

How Long Do TMJ Disorders Last?

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TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and the muscles around it, often leading to stiffness and pain. Treating this condition with a TMJ specialist can dramatically improve the quality of your daily life and your general health. In this article, we answer the question: How long do TMJ disorders last? In addition, this article will provide information about treatment options for TMJ disorder.

How Long Do TMJ Disorders Last?

How long your TMJ disorder will last depends on the cause of the issue, the effectiveness of the treatment, and the severity of the case. In some instances, TMJ disorder can be treated within a couple of weeks, but in others, it can persist for months or even years.

Conditions and factors that can prolong TMJ disorder include:

  • Bruxism is a habitual involuntary teeth grinding and clenching, especially during sleep. It can lead to spasms of the muscles around the jaw joint and also cause the joint to wear out. Bruxism can result not only in pain in the jaw area but also in neck and back pain and headaches.
  • Arthritis that affects the jaw joint makes it stiff and painful.
  • A misaligned bite can put additional pressure on your jaw joint when you talk and chew food, causing it to wear out.
  • Injuries such as broken or dislocated jaw might take longer to heal and sometimes require surgeries.
  • Stress can increase inflammation and pain syndrome, thus leading to longer recovery.
  • Lifestyle habits such as using your teeth as tools, chewing on pencils or nails, and sleeping on your stomach can put additional strain on the jaw joint and prolong recovery if not controlled.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

TMJ disorder can manifest in the following symptoms:

  • Pain, tension, or soreness in the jaw
  • Stiffness of the jaw or difficulty opening your mouth
  • Pain and stiffness of the jaw when chewing food
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Shoulder, neck, or back pain
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth
  • Clicking in the jaw joint when opening and closing the mouth

These symptoms and their severity can be different for each person. To determine if you have TMJ disorder, consult your doctor, who can diagnose the condition with more accuracy and offer you an appropriate course of treatment.

How to Treat TMJ Disorder

TMJ disorder treatment often requires reducing the inflammation in the joint, relieving pain, relaxing the muscles, and preventing further wear of the joint. Let us look at some of the available treatments in more detail:

Treatment with Medication

The following types of medication can be utilized in TMJ disorder treatment:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Painkillers
  • Muscle relaxants (especially for patients who clench their jaw or grind their teeth)
  • Antidepressants (can relieve stress, anxiety, muscle tension, and response to pain)

Any medication for TMJ disorder treatment should be prescribed by your doctor after the necessary examination.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can consist of professionally guided exercises aimed at stretching and relaxing the muscles surrounding the jaw joint. In addition, exercises that improve posture can also help relieve tension in the muscles surrounding the jaw joint and back and neck muscles.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatments are mainly aimed at relieving the tension in the muscles surrounding the jaw joint:

  • Trigger point injections
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Surgical Treatments

Surgical methods of TMJ disorder treatment are typically used in severe cases where more conservative methods fail to produce results. Some surgical methods include:

  • TMJ arthroscopy can be used to reposition the disk in the joint, reshape the bone, or remove scar tissue.
  • Arthrocentesis can be used as a diagnostic method, but excess fluid from the joint can also be removed to relieve the TMJ symptoms.
  • Open-joint surgery allows the surgeon better access to the jaw joint in cases when TMJ arthroscopy is not an option.

Mouth Guard

Wearing a mouth guard at night can help prevent bruxism and thus relieve joint and surrounding muscle strain.

Orthodontic Treatments

Due to the fact that TMJ disorder can be caused by teeth misalignment and incorrect bite, which puts unnecessary strain on the jaw joint, orthodontic methods can be effective at treating TMJ disorder.

Counseling

Counseling can be an effective additional tool when treating TMJ disorder, as it can help relieve stress and thus reduce muscle tension, jaw clenching, and teeth grinding. Often, this method is recommended in combination with other treatments.

Treat TMJ Disorder at Innovative Smiles

Start your TMJ disorder treatment with an experienced dentist at Innovative Smiles today. Do not hesitate to make an appointment for a consultation today. We will carefully examine the causes of the issue to offer you a comprehensive treatment.

Why Should You Have a Family Dentist?

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Choosing the right family dentistry practice is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family’s oral health. A dedicated family dentist provides essential dental care and also fosters a trusting relationship among the whole family. This continuity ensures your family’s unique dental needs are understood and addressed from childhood through adulthood. 

There are numerous reasons why you should have a family dentist; they offer personalized care, convenience, and comprehensive services for the whole family. A family dentist can help instill good oral hygiene habits and create lasting relationships for generations. Establishing long-term relationships with a family dentist is a great tool for maintaining your family’s oral health. 

 

Why Should You Have a Family Dentist?

Data shows that family dentistry practices are popular thanks to their versatility. It is common for family dental groups to employ multiple dentists in their practice. This offers a convenient one-stop fix for your family’s dental needs. This saves time, effort, and hassle for everyone.

Family dentists are also experienced with children and adolescents and offer a gentle approach to managing anxiety in children. Putting in the extra effort to find the right dentist for your family is worth the investment. The right provider can address all of your oral health concerns efficiently without added anxiety. Finding a provider that makes you and your family comfortable is important for a positive attitude toward dental appointments. 

 

Comprehensive Care Through Every Walk of Life

Family dentists aren’t just the solution for when issues arise but also to help promote good oral health throughout every walk of life. Due to the age variances in families, it makes sense that family dental groups cater to all stages, and they do. If you are in need of a pediatric dentist, endodontist, or orthodontist, in many cases, you can find them all at your family dentist’s office. 

Your family dentist will also have a first-hand account of your dental history; this creates a cohesive understanding of issues as a whole rather than diagnosing a symptom as the problem needing to be solved. In some cases, an underlying condition can cause conflicting symptoms. Understanding a family’s history can help confirm or eliminate any heredity-related conditions that may be the cause.

This ability to observe and treat patients throughout every walk of life is ideal not only for the benefit of the whole family, but it can also help your dentist better understand and treat dental anomalies in family groups. This generates countless possibilities for the development of new procedures and technology to better care for patients and their families. 

 

Convenience and Efficiency for Busy Families

Life and raising a family can be hectic, and for those with a lifestyle that is always busy, ensuring your family gets the dental care they need is not always easy. Family dental practices, however, make this hassle easier. Many family dental practices will schedule back-to-back appointments so you can get everyone taken care of and out the door in one go. Most also offer specialty services for the whole family at the same location. 

 

Building Trust and Long-Term Relationships

Dental anxiety is a reality for a large number of individuals and family members. Securing the right family dentist can help build trust and positive lasting relationships. Dentists and hygienists who work in family practices are typically gentle, patient, and comfortable working with kids and adults. A kind and gentle approach will keep patients comfortable and encouraged, supporting a lifelong positive relationship between the dentist and dental appointments. 

 

Prevention-Focused Approach

Dentists who treat the whole family have a cohesive inside look at familial risks and health history. Your dentist can identify any biological or familial risk factors and potential lifestyle factors that are impacting your oral health. This allows your family dentist to determine your risk for dental complications and create a proactive plan to address potential problems. 

 

Smile Brighter Together

Having a family dentist is an investment in your family’s long-term oral health and overall well-being. Specifically, the benefits of personalized care, comprehensive services, and a trusted relationship with your dental provider far outweigh any benefits that would come from finding individual dental professionals. By choosing a family dentist, you’re not just addressing immediate dental needs; you’re instilling lifelong oral health habits and positive dental experiences for every member of your family.

 

Family Dentistry in Cerritos

Don’t wait for dental complications to arise; take the proactive step of finding the right family dentist for you and your family’s oral health needs. Call today to schedule a consultation and find your new family dentist. 

How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?

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Coming in for a routine teeth cleaning session serves as the foundation for continued oral health. But one of the main reasons people put it off is because they think they do not have the time. In truth, teeth cleaning is quick, comfortable, and useful. But exactly how long does a dental cleaning take?

Why Dental Cleaning Is Worth the Time

Brushing and flossing are important. No one will deny that. However, they usually are not enough to keep all buildup off your teeth. Over time, bacteria will cause buildup that eats away at your teeth. Without addressing this, it can lead to cavities. Cavities can lead to a risk of eventual infection. Infection can lead to the risk of tooth loss.

As evidence, it is a slippery slope. Each of these conditions mentioned can require lengthier treatments. For example, each cavity treatment can take at least 30 minutes on its own. A root canal can take an hour. And tooth extraction can require several days of recovery.

By attending two routine cleanings per year, you help yourself avoid any of these issues. In many cases, routine cleanings can save patients time down the road.

How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?

When most people think of dental cleaning, they picture what we call routine cleaning. This service handles the basic maintenance most people need. It involves removing any buildup (plaque and tartar) on the teeth.

How Long Routine Cleaning Takes

Basic routine dental cleaning takes about 30 to 60 minutes. The duration tends to depend on how much cleaning your teeth need. If you have skipped a cleaning, your next one may prove longer. However, your dentist should never rush this process. If your cleaning ends in under half an hour, you may not have received the best service.

Patients who have missed several cleanings or have gum disease may need more cleaning. This is called root scaling and planing.

Breaking Down the Cleaning Step-by-Step

Buildup Removal: This step involves physically removing buildup from the teeth. Your hygienist will use a special tool that can scrape even stubborn buildup away. You may feel some tugging on your teeth. But you should feel little to no discomfort. We then may also use an ultrasonic cleaner for enhanced cleaning.
Polishing the Teeth: This involves placing a gritty toothpaste on a rotating toothbrush-like instrument. The grit in the toothpaste helps polish away discoloration and further removes buildup.
Final Flossing: Teeth cleaning would not be complete without a quick flossing. Your hygienist will carefully floss between every tooth, cleaning out any stubborn material.

Additional Elements

In many cases, dentists perform teeth cleaning at the same time as other checkup elements. So a typical visit may also involve a physical exam, X-rays, or a fluoride treatment. If you have any of these, your visit may take closer to 1 hour in total.

  • Physical Exam: Your dentist visually checks for cavities. This takes under 10 minutes.
  • X-rays: About once a year, having digital X-rays provides more visualization of your teeth. This takes under 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Fluoride Treatment: This quick treatment can help bolster your teeth with beneficial fluoride. It takes about 5 minutes.

How Long Scaling and Root Planing Takes

Another reason dental cleaning is worth the time is because without it you may need scaling and root planing (SRP). This in-depth cleaning removed buildup from under the gums. Think of it like a deep cleaning.

As such, it takes longer than routine cleaning. A typical SRP treatment can take between 1 and 2 hours in total. However, that does not factor in that it usually involves multiple visits. Most dentists do RSP in 2 to 4 visits. Each visit will mean more time out of your day.

How Long Do I Have to Wait After a Cleaning to Eat?

Another time factor to consider is that you may need to wait to eat after a cleaning. So if you have lunch or dinner plans right after, we recommend taking this into account. Fortunately, waiting about half an hour should prove sufficient. This only applies if you had a fluoride treatment. Otherwise, you can eat as soon as you step out of the office.

If you had numbing for an SRP treatment, you will want to wait for that to fade before eating. While numb, you could all too easily bite your tongue or cheek accidentally.

A Top Dentist for Pristinely Cleaned Teeth

Contact Innovative Smiles to work with a leading dentist for your next dental cleaning. Set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth with our team of dental experts.

Can Yellow Teeth Become White Again?

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Unfortunately, many of us notice at some point in life that our teeth do not look as white as they once did. But can yellow teeth become white again? In this article, we discuss dental cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening that can make your teeth appear whiter and stain-free.

 

Can Yellow Teeth Become White Again?

Modern dentistry offers several methods that can help make stained and discolored teeth whiter. Let us look at some of these cosmetic procedures in more detail:

 

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening typically uses hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent that penetrates the enamel of teeth and destroys dark particles that cause teeth to appear stained or discolored. Teeth whitening can deliver fantastic results, with teeth becoming up to 8 shades whiter in just one dental visit.

There are two types of professional teeth whitening: an in-office treatment and whitening kits for use at home (also provided by your dentist). Both these methods are considered safe for your teeth, as the whitening solution is prepared for each patient with their oral health condition and goals in mind.

Some people may opt for over-the-counter whitening solutions because they are less expensive than professional treatments. However, we do not recommend using over-the-counter whitening kits, as they are not custom-made for you and might harm your teeth and gums, destroying the enamel and making them look much worse than prior to the treatment.

 

Dental Bonding

In cases where stains and discoloration on your teeth do not respond to bleaching agents in teeth whitening solutions, your doctor might suggest dental bonding. However, this procedure will not make your natural teeth whiter; it will just mask the imperfections.

The procedure of dental bonding employs a resin composite that is applied on the surface of the tooth and then hardened with a special light. Bonding is used to cover up that part of the tooth where staining is the most noticeable. It is typically not used to cover the entire tooth.

The color of dental bonding material can be closely matched to the color of your natural teeth, making the smile look unified in shade and tone.

 

Dental Veneers

Similar to dental bonding, dental veneers are helpful in cases when the stains can not be removed by bleaching. However, if stains and discoloration on the teeth are not local but instead affect the entire surface of one or multiple teeth, this cosmetic procedure might be a better solution than dental bonding.

Dental veneers are typically made of porcelain (or resin composite in some cases). They are attached to the entire front surface of a tooth like a shell. Veneers look very natural due to the slight translucency of the material, which is similar to the enamel of natural teeth. Also, you can choose the color of your veneers.

A disadvantage of dental veneers is that this procedure is not reversible. This means that once you decide to get veneers, you must wear them for the rest of your life. The reason for that is that a portion of enamel is removed from the tooth before veneer application, and a tooth can not survive without its enamel or a veneer protecting it.

 

Professional Dental Cleanings

The gentlest and safest method to make your teeth look whiter is to get regular professional dental cleanings. In fact, a simple dental cleaning might be sufficient for removing surface discoloration from the teeth. This procedure will not bleach your teeth, but it can return their original appearance. Thus, many dentists may recommend cleaning before deciding on more complicated procedures, such as whitening.

During a professional dental cleaning, plaque and tartar on the teeth over time are thoroughly removed with special dental instruments. Plaque and tartar can make teeth appear more yellow or darker in color. Thus, when these deposits are removed from the teeth, their original color can be revealed.

If you have dental cleanings every six months, as recommended, you can avoid staining and oral health problems as well. Plaque and tartar are the leading causes of cavities and gum disease. A professional dental cleaning will benefit not only the appearance of your teeth but their health, too.

 

Make an Appointment at Innovative Smiles Today

Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at the Innovative Smiles dental office today. Our specialists will determine the cause and type of stain and discoloration on your teeth. Following that, they will offer you an effective course of action to make your smile bright again.

How Long Will My Orthodontic Treatment Take? 

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Modern orthodontic treatments, such as braces or Invisalign, can help solve a variety of misalignment issues, improve oral and general health, and boost the appearance of a smile. But how long will an orthodontic treatment take? Please read our article, in which we discuss this question. 

 

How Long Will My Orthodontic Treatment Take? 

All orthodontic treatments work via dental appliances that gradually apply pressure to the teeth so that they move in the jawbone and the gums and take the desired position. Naturally, this process can not happen overnight and requires some time. The length of the orthodontic treatment depends on several factors that vary from patient to patient:

  • The severity and complexity of orthodontic issues that have to be fixed
  • The presence of jaw alignment issues
  • The age of a patient
  • The type of treatment chosen
  • The consistency with which a patient wears their orthodontic appliances

In general, orthodontic treatment take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years, with the majority of cases taking around 17 months. Fixing a minor teeth misalignment will take less time than addressing complicated issues. Remember that this is just an approximation of how long you can expect a treatment to take. Only a qualified orthodontist can give you more precise information after a comprehensive examination of your particular issues and the condition of your teeth and gums.

 

Main Types of Orthodontic Treatments

The two most popular orthodontic treatment methods today are traditional metal braces and Invisalign. In general, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign takes the same time as that with traditional braces, provided that the issue is the same and that a patient wears their appliances consistently. However, there are several differences between these two options.

 

Invisalign

  • Invisalign is better suited for milder cases of misalignment and might not be recommended in severe and complex cases.
  • Invisalign treatment is effective only if you wear it for the recommended 22 hours a day and remove it only when eating and brushing your teeth. If you remove your aligners more often, you may significantly prolong the treatment or find that it does not deliver the desired results.
  • Invisalign is easier to clean than traditional braces, as you can remove it from your mouth and clean it separately. Also, you will not need to adjust the way you brush and floss your teeth, as you might need to when wearing braces.
  • Invisalign is typically more expensive than traditional braces.

 

Traditional Braces

  • Traditional metal braces can fix a wide variety of orthodontic issues, including very severe cases because their composite materials can withstand a lot of pressure. 
  • Braces can not be removed at will, which makes them an ideal type of treatment for people who would find it challenging to wear Invisalign aligners all the time. 
  • Traditional braces might make oral hygiene slightly more challenging due to metal wires. 
  • For some patients, traditional braces might be more uncomfortable to wear than Invisalign, as their metal parts can rub the soft tissue in the mouth.

Additionally, your dentist might offer lingual braces or ceramic braces as orthodontic treatments. These appliances function similarly to traditional braces but might be more appealing to some patients because they are less noticeable in the mouth. Palate expanders, headgear, and retainers can also treat some orthodontic issues.

 

Benefits of an Orthodontic Treatment

An obvious benefit of an orthodontic treatment is a more aesthetically pleasing smile. However, not everyone knows that orthodontics can also have a positive impact on your oral health and even your general health and quality of life:

  • Straighter teeth are easier to clean effectively, so orthodontic treatment can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
  • Infections in the mouth are closely associated with illnesses of other organs in the body. Good oral health and a mouth free of infections can prevent general health complications such as heart, lungs, joints, gastroenterological issues, and blood sugar level issues.
  • Orthodontic treatment can also help solve or reduce the risk of TMJ disorder, neck pain, back pain, and headaches, thus improving quality of life and energy levels.

 

Make an Appointment at Innovative Smiles

To start your orthodontic treatment, do not hesitate to call the Innovative Smiles dental office today and make an appointment with an experienced dentist. Our specialists will examine your orthodontic issues and offer you an optimal method of treatment that will suit your lifestyle and budget. We look forward to your visit. 

 

562-860-6626

13017 Artesia Blvd, Suite D120
Cerritos, CA 90703


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Monday: 9AM-6PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9AM-6PM
Thursday: 9AM-6PM
Friday: 9AM-6PM
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: Closed

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Jesmine Boghawala DDS
10929 South St #110B
Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: 562.860.6626
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri - 10:00AM - 7:00PM
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