Do you suffer from chronic pain in your jaw and face, experience popping sounds when you
chew and talk, or have symptoms such as headaches or lockjaw? If so, you may be suffering
from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a common condition affecting more than 10
million individuals in the United States, alone. And, though many people suffer from this
condition, few seek solutions from their dentist, unaware that their wide array of painful
symptoms are linked to oral health.
How TMJ disorder affects your jaw and teeth
The temporomandibular joints are small joints that connect the jaw and skull. Though
there is debate regarding the exact causes of TMJ disorder, it is often speculated that
pressure on these small joints is one contributing factor. Potential causes and risk factors
for this added stress include bruxism (teeth grinding), jaw clenching, malocclusion (a bad
bite), airway issues, and jaw injury. These factors can lead to problems over time. While
TMJ disorder leads to sinus headaches, jaw locking and popping, migraines, neck and
shoulder stiffness, jaw pain, and earaches, the risk factors and causes of TMJ disorder can
also result in the teeth and jaw sustaining damage over time.
Because leaving TMJ disorder untreated can lead to tooth cracks, erosion, and pain, it is important for sufferers to communicate with their healthcare providers and dentist to receive adequate treatment as early as possible. There are a number of interventions that can ease the symptoms and causes of TMJ disorder, ranging from invasive surgeries, to nighttime bite guards, to dental sleep appliances, and more. At Bowen Legacy Dental, we use a variety of gentle treatments to target the underlying causes of your TMJ disorder and effectively treat your pain with minimal invasiveness. For instance, if a bad bite is causing your jaw to clench or teeth to grind chronically, orthodontic treatments, like Invisalign® may be the most effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of your TMJ pain.
Because each patient’s oral and jaw health differs, we will tackle your TMJ disorder with a custom treatment plan that holistically considers your unique health needs and anatomy. If you are interested in learning more about our advanced treatments for TMJ disorder, call us today to schedule an appointment.
Ozone Therapy
We are proud to use natural ozone therapies to target and eliminate bacteria in the mouth. The use of ozone offers many benefits, from remineralization of enamel to fighting infection. By pairing this advanced treatment with dental procedures and surgeries, we can encourage better oral health and eliminate the possibility of bacterial growth following a treatment.
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HealthyStart™
The HealthyStart™ System offers relief to children who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). This innovative system straightens teeth without braces, helping children breathe clearly and avoid long-term consequences of interrupted sleep. By tackling the underlying cause of SDB, HealthyStart™ creates a clear airway for children, offering a permanent solution to sleep-related breathing problems and a beautiful, aligned smile.
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Mercury-Free Fillings
One common filling used by dentists is a material called amalgam, or silver fillings. Though many people have these fillings without experiencing any health consequence, amalgam does contain mercury, putting some patients at risk for complications, including allergic reactions to mercury and overexposure to the toxin. We are proud to offer our patients safe, mercury-free alternatives like our tooth-colored composite fillings.
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TMJ Services
For those suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, we can protect your teeth, ease your discomfort, and provide you with a healthy, effective solution you deserve.
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Soft Tissue Laser
Using a soft tissue laser offers improved accuracy and healing times for a variety of procedures. Benefits of using soft tissues lasers in surgery include reduced swelling, less discomfort, and reduced bleeding for patients—creating a more enjoyable experience for the patient and a more precise result.
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Sleep Therapy
When patients experience sleep problems, like snoring or sleep apnea, they often fail to realize the role that their mouth plays in creating these issues. Our sleep services, including SomnoMed and sleep guards, gently push the jaw forward, creating a clear airway during the night that improves snoring and sleep apnea. This often eliminates the need for more intensive and uncomfortable treatments, like the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.
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Nutrition
Food has the potential to nourish or harm our bodies, affecting not only oral health, but also your entire body. By prioritizing nutrients and wellness, you can experience the wonderful effects of balanced health—without sacrificing the joy and flavors of food.
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Nontoxic Dental Materials
At Bowen Legacy Dental, we are committed to using only non-toxic dental materials. By keeping our plastics BPA-free and our fillings free from mercury, we help you maintain good oral health and total body wellness.
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Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
Using small cameras in your mouth, the CBCT allows us to capture precise, highly detailed 3D images of your teeth. The detail of these images is invaluable for accurate diagnostics, in-depth recording of dental problems, and improved communication between patient and dentist. This cutting edge technology is the best of dental imaging, and our practice is proud to be one of the few offices in central Ohio who has the Cone Beam CT Scan at our disposal.
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Myofunctional Therapy
Orofacial myofunctional disorders prohibit your tongue and facial muscles from optimally functioning. Over time, these disorders can seriously impact the quality of your life—leading to issues like sleep-disordered breathing or malocclusions. A variety of behaviors fall into this category, including:
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Orthotropic Appliance Therapy
Orthotropic appliance therapy is an innovative, holistic, and preventive treatment that guides pediatric facial growth. Using specialized oral appliances with patient compliance, we can prevent the onset or worsening of many problems. These include issues like misaligned teeth, difficulty biting and chewing, improper swallowing, pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, speech difficulties, and TMJ disorders.
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Family Dentistry
Our family dentistry ranges from general examinations to dental implants and dentures. We care for smiles across all stages of life and look forward to helping you create a foundation for better overall health. Learn More
Cosmetic Dentistry
We provide a selection of cosmetic dental options to help you love your smile! From veneers to advanced whitening, our cosmetic services are safe and effective ways to boost your smile—without sacrificing your smile health.Learn More
Wellness Services
We know that oral health has the power to affect your entire wellness. All of our dental services are based on the principles of whole-body wellness and are committed to boosting your overall health through safe, effective, non-toxic means, like mercury-free fillings and balanced nutrition.
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