Dentists have been concerned about gum disease or “periodontal disease” for decades. The emphasis was based on the important task of saving teeth from being lost. Recent research has proven that there is an “oral-systemic” link between gum disease and significant health problems. We now understand that heart disease, strokes, diabetes and pre-term low birth weight babies aren’t resulting from the tooth loss of periodontal disease, but these problems can be directly related to the elevation of inflammatory processes brought on by the bacterial infection of gum disease.

Centers for Dental Medicine is a group of dental practices across the United States that are dedicated to using the latest, most advanced techniques for the effective treatment of gum disease. Here at the Bangor Center for Dental Medicine we are trained and equipped to assess your risk from periodontal disease, discuss your treatment options, and provide the most up-to-date in-office and homecare available.

Treatment of gum disease has to include a very thorough cleaning of all the tooth surfaces in the mouth. Removing the bacterial plaque and the hard deposits that accumulate around and between the teeth is necessary. Ultrasonic cleaning of the teeth offers a more comfortable experience for our patients and the ultrasonic action is effective at killing the bacteria that hide in the crevices around the teeth. We also use a powerful laser to reach down into the “pockets” below the gum line to further kill harmful bacteria and to provide a treated tissue surface that can heal much more readily. Laser treatments are most often completed comfortably and without need for anesthesia. Bacterial DNA testing is employed before and after the treatment to make certain our treatment has been effective.

The ultimate goal of this therapy is to remove the harmful bacteria, reduce the inflammation that the bacterial infection has caused in the oral cavity and provide an environment that can more easily be maintained. Research has shown that without this important therapy, your general health and wellbeing is at risk. If we are able to initiate this therapy early enough, we will most likely avoid the potential need for gum surgery and/or tooth removal, In this way we aim to eliminate periodontal disease not just perpetually treat it as has often been done in the past.

T = Temporo - from the temporal bone of the skull

M = Mandibular – pertaining to the mandible (lower jaw)

J = Joint – the jaw joint found just in front of the ear

TMJ is sometimes referred to as TMD (TemporoMandibular Dysfunction) and my favorite: Teeth, Muscles, Joint

Regardless of what the anachronym stands for, it represents a malady that is one of the most mysterious and difficult to diagnose and treat. Symptoms range from painless clicking joints to severe unrelenting pain. Pain can be in the teeth, jaw, jaw joint(s), head, neck, upper back or many combinations thereof.

Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ/TMD may often fall within the expertise of the dentist, especially one who has received more training in this complex field of study. The teeth ultimately determine alignment of the jaw as it relates to the rest of the head. The dentist becomes the only one who is trained to handle this complex problem. But, there is often more to the problem than just the teeth. The muscles that hold the jaw are often the source of the pain. The displacement of the cartilage disk within the TM Joint is responsible for the clicking noises.

Direct trauma to the jaw joint may elicit an immediate TMJ problem or one that may not show up for many years. TMJ problems from other than traumatic injury may have been progressing for many years to the point where symptoms become present at least to the degree for which treatment is sought. As such, diagnosis and treatment becomes more difficult.

Diagnosis of TMJ can be an exhausting, but essential process. Evaluation of an extensive medical history is required. Radiographs, MRI's and neuromuscular techniques can aid in the diagnosis. Often these problems require a team approach that may involve pain specialists, sleep medicine specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, ENT doctors, orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons among others.

It is our intention to do everything we can to arrive at an accurate working diagnosis of your specific TMJ/TMD pain. Once this is achieved, we will devise a treatment plan for your individual needs. It will be our goal to treat your problem as conservatively as possible. Please understand that the difficulty of these conditions, and the complexity of treatments may result in substantial cost that may or may not be reimbursed by insurance. Often, our time invested in this process will reveal much information about your health that you might not have previously known. Our promise in this educational process is to reveal information as it becomes available and to include you in all decision-making regarding your treatment options.