Temporomandibular joint disorder—usually called TMJ or TMD–impacts the joints that hinge the lower or mandibular jaw and the temporal bone of the skull. You can locate these joints easily by placing your fingers on either side of your face just in front of your ears. Open and close your mouth a couple of times and you’ll feel these joints working. When functioning properly, the temporomandibular joints allow you to open and close your mouth smoothly, so you can speak, eat, laugh and yawn. However, a malfunctioning joint can cause pain and discomfort. Fortunately, treatment for TMJ in State College is as close as the dentist’s office. Dr. Donald Marks will be able to determine whether or not you have TMJ and treat accordingly.
April 2, 2017
Experiencing Jaw Pain? Learn About TMJ in State College
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May 15, 2015
Donald Marks the State College, PA Preventive Dentist
The hand that strikes also blocks is a mantra of the martial art form, Wing Chun. It means to be on the offensive to avoid receiving a blow from an opponent. This mantra should also be applied to your dental health. The best way to keep your teeth and gums at optimal health is to stop tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health concerns before they start. In State College, PA our professional, friendly staff will help you to achieve your healthiest smile and keep it for life. From six month dental check-ups and hygiene appointments, to fluoride treatments and dental health education, we help you land the first strike in the fight for your perfect bite. Contact us today to schedule your general dentistry check-up.
Check-ups and Hygiene Appointments Your Frist Line of Defense
At Donald Marks Family Dentistry, our skilled dentists and outstanding dental care services help you maintain a perfect smile. At check-ups scheduled every six months, we will screen for oral cancer, check the alignment of your bite, look for signs of teeth grinding that may require TMJ treatment, and use state-of-the-art DIAGNOdent laser technology to screen for cavities.
Oral cancer, bite alignment and teeth grinding screenings are checked visually by our dentists. Oral cancer often manifests as a lump, bump or sore in the mouth that does not go away over time. When you visit the same dentist every six months, he will take note of any areas that may show signs of oral cancers. Bite alignment and teeth grinding too are most noticeable when the same dentist views your teeth over time, but some misalignments and severe grinding are apparent right away. By screening for these items at every visit, our dentists help you maintain a healthy smile.
DIAGNOdent is one ways that our dentists use technology to ensure your ongoing dental health. While adults should only receive dental x-rays once per year at the very most, DIAGNOdent is a hand-held, laser device that allows your dentist or hygienist to view or monitor areas with potential for tooth decay. This highly affective device allows our team to find cavities in some of the most difficult to see spots, and clear out decay-causing bacteria growth.
Above all, maintaining a consistent dental hygiene routine in and out of our office puts you on solid footing to develop strong bite. Our hygienists will thoroughly clean and examine your teeth and gums. They will consult with you regarding any changes to your oral health, and suggest and at-home hygiene adjustments that may be beneficial. Our number one priority is your health and wellbeing.
Family Dentistry
From infancy, our teeth help to deliver nutrition to our bodies. Early examination of teeth or gums in young children can help our dentists diagnose and treat any dental health concerns before they can have a lasting impact on your child. Our friendly staff will put your child of any age at ease, and give her foundation upon which to build a life-time of dental health. Don’t wait until children have their adult teeth, we recommend an initial visit with our staff before the age of two.
Schedule an Appointment
Our team is here to help you with any of your State College, PA family dentistry needs. Don’t wait until you have a problem to schedule an appointment with us, stop dental health issues before they start with our outstanding preventative dentistry options. Contact us to schedule an appointment in State College, PA. We also welcome patients from nearby Spring Mills, Centre Hall, Huntingdon, Altoona, Penns Valley, Boalsburg, Lemont, Bellefonte, Lewistown, Phillipsburg, and the surrounding communities.
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December 10, 2014
Relieve Pain and Discomfort with State College, PA TMJ Disorder Therapy
When is a headache, more than a headache? If it is accompanied by neck and ear pain, difficulty chewing, and clicking noises in the jaw, you could be suffering from a more serious condition, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. These important joints are located on either side of your face to help regulate your facial muscles and jaw movement.TMJ disorders are a group of degenerative conditions resulting from strained and damaged temporomandibular joints. For your TMJ disorder evaluation, make an appointment with Dr. Marks and Dr. Martin at Donald Marks Family Dentistry today. Dr. Marks is an experienced general and restorative dentist that can help you get to the root of the problem. Donald Marks Family Dentistry is conveniently located on University Drive and provides quality dental care to patients of all ages throughout State College, PA, Park Forest Village, Spring Mills, Centre Hall, Huntingdon, Altoona, Penns Valley, Boalsburg, Lemont, Bellefonte, Lewiston, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, University Park, Pleasant Gap, and Hollidaysburg.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorders typically fall into one of three categories:
- Myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) syndrome– pain at the TMJ due to various causes of increased muscle tension and spasm. It is believed that MPD syndrome is a physical manifestation of psychological stress. Pain is secondary to events such as nocturnal jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Treatment is focused on behavioral modification as opposed to joint repair.
- Internal derangement (ID)– where the problem lies within the joint itself, most commonly with the position of the articulating disc, usually resulting from facial injury.
- Degenerative joint disease– where arthritic changes result in degeneration of the joint and muscles.
Common TMJ Disorder Symptoms
- Radiating pain in the ear and jaw that gets worse when chewing
- Locking of the jaw
- Ear clicking or popping
- Headache and/or neck ache
- A bite that feels uncomfortable or different from usual
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Bruxism, teeth clenching
- Increasing pain over the course of your day
- A history of jaw or facial trauma
State College, PA TMJ Disorder Therapy from Donald Marks Family Dentistry
Dr. Marks can offer immediate and non- invasive TMJ disorder relief with custom-made nightguards and bite appliances to stop and reverse TMJ disorder damage. Don’t put off the TMJ disorder therapy you need any longer. Make an appointment with Dr. Marks and Dr. Martin at Donald Marks Family Dentistry today. Donald Marks Family Dentistry proudly serves families throughout State College, PA, Park Forest Village, Spring Mills, Centre Hall, Huntingdon, Altoona, Penns Valley, Boalsburg, Lemont, Bellefonte, Lewiston, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, University Park, Pleasant Gap, Hollidaysburg, and the surrounding communities.
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