Some patients are living with the symptoms of TMJ, (Tempro-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome). The symptoms can be very painful, with a negative impact upon the quality of life, personally and professionally. Some of the most common symptoms of TMJ include:

Severe headaches
Jaw pain
Facial aches and pains
Tender jaw
Dizziness
Difficulty chewing
Pain while chewing
Jaw locks that hinder movement
Pain in jaw joint
Grinding teeth
Ringing in the ears

What causes TMJ?

The joint in the jaw, called the temporomandibular joint, is a complex system that involves both a hinge and sliding motions. The movement of the jaw can be smooth and easy when the jaw is correctly aligned and the small disk that absorbs shock is functioning as nature intended. A disorder can occur for various reasons, including:

The shock-absorbing disk has eroded, or more commonly, has moved out of correct alignment.
The cartilage in the joint has been damaged due to medical conditions or trauma.
The joint is damaged after an impact such as a vehicle accident or sports accident.
In some cases, the condition merely appears, and has an unknown cause.

TMJ Treatment in Pasadena

If you believe you may have TMJ, it is important that you get a diagnosis so the condition can be resolved. The treatments can vary, depending upon the cause of TMJ, and whether there is any physical damage. In some cases, a custom-manufactured mouth guard will stop the teeth grinding during sleep hours, bringing relief. In other cases, a “bad bite” must be resolved. This may involve changing the shape of the teeth so they are better aligned. This treatment can also result cosmetic changes and a more attractive smile through restorations to make them function correctly.

The first step in treating TMJ is a full examination to determine the cause, and through the diagnosis, the most effective treatment. We urge you to connect with our Pasadena dentist to find out the options that will bring you relief from TMJ.

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team