The TMJs are the joints connecting the jaw to the skull. They allow your mouth to open, close, and move from side to side. TMJ disorder refers to any problems with the joint itself, or with the surrounding muscles and ligaments. TMJ disorder can be caused by a number of factors, including:
At Four Seasons Dental, we offer occlusal mouth guards, one of the most effective treatment options for TMJ disorder. Patients are instructed to wear their customized mouth guards, or splints, over their teeth for a pre-determined period of time that is based on their symptoms and the severity of their condition. Some patients may need to wear their splints 24 hours a day, while others may only need to wear them at night. Stabilization splints can prevent patients from clenching or grinding their teeth, while repositioning splints can actually move the jaw forward, relaxing ligaments and jaw muscles and improving a patients bite.
Since some treatment options for sleep apnea are similar to those for TMJ disorder, Dr. Sluser also treats mild to moderate cases of this sleep disorder. Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep, typically because the tongue and throat muscles fall against the back of the throat, blocking the airway. The repeated interruptions throughout the night prevent patients from achieving the deepest and most restful stages of sleep. The most common symptom is snoring.
To determine whether you are suffering from sleep apnea, Dr. Sluser can refer you to a specialist who can conduct a sleep study. If the specialist determines that you have mild to moderate sleep apnea, Dr. Sluser may prescribe a mouthpiece to be worn at night. This device can push the jaw slightly forward, keeping the airways open so you can achieve restful sleep.
If you suffer from symptoms of TMJ disorder or sleep apnea, call Four Seasons Dental today. Dr. Sluser is ready to answer your questions, help you with any necessary referrals, and provide you with conservative, effective treatment options.
If you are bothered bycrooked or misaligned teeth, you should know that advancements in the field of orthodontics are making treatment more efficient, more comfortable, and more subtle than ever before. Four Seasons Dental offers Invisalign at our Pittsburgh dental practice, a treatment option that uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth quickly and effectively. The Invisalign treatment plan is tailored to meet the needs and concerns of each patient, and Dr. Timothy Sluser will work closely with you to ensure you can achieve a straighter, more attractive smile that also offers oral health benefits.
This orthodontic option is effective in treating a wide range of dental issues, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, gapped teeth, and crowded teeth. However, not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign. Patients who require a significant amount of correction to their bite, for example, may be better candidates for traditional braces, which we also offer at our practice. Dr. Sluser provides highly personalized service and will discuss your condition and treatment goals with you to determine the best treatment.
If Dr. Sluser determines you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment, he will make detailed impressions of your teeth. These impressions will be sent to an Invisalign lab, where technicians will create a customized series of clear, removable aligner trays, shaped similarly to the trays used duringteeth whitening. Once you receive your aligners, you will wear them daily for nine to fifteen months. The aligners should be worn at least 22 hours a day, but they can be removed while you are eating, or brushing and flossing. Every two weeks, you will switch to the next aligner in the series. Over the course of your treatment, the aligners will gently shift your teeth into their new positions.
Todays teenagers lead busy lives and participate in a variety of sports and activities that can be hindered by wearing traditional braces. For these reasons, Invisalign Teen is the treatment of choice for many teenagers and their parents. Invisalign requires fewer visits to the dentists office than traditional braces, and the product comes
Dr. Sluser is also proud to offer the latest development in Invisalign technology, Invisalign Express. Invisalign Expressis preferred by many patients who have minor spacing or crowding issues. It works similarly to traditional Invisalign treatment, but the accelerated process can typically be completed in as little as ten weeks.