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Do you suffer from severe pain or discomfort in the face, jaw joint, teeth, facial swelling, neck and shoulders?  If so, you may have either TMJ or TMD. TMJ stands for the Temporo Mandibular Joint and is the region where your jaw bone and skull meet.  TMD stands for Temporo Mandibular Disorder, which is typically what people are referring to when they say they have TMJ. TMD sufferers often experience jaw clicking, popping or locking during movement or chewing. In some cases, chewing is difficult, or the bite may not align properly (malocclusion). One may also experience swelling on the side of the face, toothaches, headaches, neck aches, earaches and hearing problems. The majority of TMD pain is caused my muscles that are in spasm or hyper contraction. If you have habits or activities that you do with your jaw it will most certainly aggravate the situation.  Your teeth and jaw joint can become misaligned creating a bigger problem the overlaps with your teeth, jaw joint and muscles of the jaw joint area.  The pain can be quite severe and can be mistaken as a common headache or migraine headache pain. In other cases you can have pain, clicking, popping or grinding.  Typically this means that internal changes have happened to the joint.  This could have been caused by bite problems, traumatic injury to jaw or head.  Injuries such as whiplash or a physical blow to the jaw can cause damage to the delicate supporting ligaments of the joint.  Some symptoms may not develop for months. Some common features of this disorder include: If you suffer from any of these symptoms or are having trouble with the jaw joint, we may be able to help.  We would need to evaluate your symptoms careful in order to help you determine the best treatment options so contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

Sleep apnea is a condition that is very common today.  After questioning just a few of my patients, I’m finding that more and more people are using a C-Pap machine or are simply having difficulty getting a good nights sleep.  The trouble typically starts when you can’t get enough air into your lungs as you sleep.  The noise and health issues created can be quite troublesome. Some potential side effects of sleep apnea include: … and of course, chronic sleepiness. Some of the health problems associated with sleep apnea include: It can also cause learning or memory disabilities, as well as periods of nodding off while on the phone or at work or worse yet driving to and from work. People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those that: Our office can provide you with a solution that may even eliminate the use of a C-Pap machine. The medical appliances that are made reposition your jaw forward, preventing the back of your throat from being blocked.  These appliances are FDA approved and can start making a difference in your sleep right away.  The two devices we would recommend are the Thorton Adjustable Positioner and the Somnodent MAS. To learn more or to find out if you might suffer from sleep apnea, contact our office today at (513) 896-1573

When teeth are lost and there are teeth present on either side of the lost tooth, a dental bridge may be an option for replacing the missing tooth. Replacing a missing tooth will prevent changes from happening in your mouth that may create future problems.  These include drifting of teeth into the space changing your bite.  This change in bite may result in sore jaws, gum disease or decay (due to more difficult hygiene).  When one tooth is lost it has the potential to affect 5 or more other teeth in your mouth. A fixed or permanent bridge is used to replace one or more teeth and we will help you determine what your options are when you visit our office.  This evaluation includes, x rays, gum and bone evaluation and possibly molds of your teeth.  The molds or impressions are used in more complicated situations where we can study your teeth outside your mouth.  In addition a wax mold can be created to assist in visualizing the final result and aiding us in creating the temporary teeth you will be wearing after the procedure. The typical dental bridge treatment typically consists of 2 visits: Remember a dental bridge is permanent and should not be confused with a partial denture which is removable.  Once the bridge is cemented in place your normal chewing habits may return. Congratulations! You now have greatly reinforced and replaced teeth that will provide you with many, many years of function, but to ensure this you should receive regular dental checkups at our office (every 6 months) and maintain a healthy and balanced diet.  Daily brushing and flossing are also essential to being able to provide your bridge the longest life span. To learn more or to schedule a dental bridge evaluation, contact our office at (513) 896-1573 today. Be Sociable, Share!

A root canal is a safe and effective way to give your tooth another chance.  It’s a treatment often used to repair and save any tooth that has become infected or is badly decayed. During root canal procedure, the nerve and tooth pulp are removed from inside the tooth, and the internal structure of the tooth is carefully cleaned and sealed. For many people, without this treatment the tissue surrounding the tooth would become seriously infected and abscesses may form, causing even greater discomfort and more health risks. How Do I Know If I Need A Root Canal? Some of the signs that you may require a root canal include: When considering the possibility of a root canal, we are looking for a tooth that suffers from spontaneous pain or pain that lingers.  And while sensitivity may or may not be an indicator for root canal treatment, it’s quite often something that would require a visit to the office in order to determine exactly what is happening. This root canal evaluation consists of an x-ray and some in office tests in order to pinpoint the source of trouble.The good news is that if it’s determined that you need a root canal, we can typically start a procedure the same day providing you immediate relief of your pain! If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, schedule online or call at (513) 896-1573 to schedule a comprehensive root canal evaluation.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry? Warning: Only a very few dentists can provide the best cosmetic results Cosmetic dentistry is a term that includes various dental procedures, all with the goal of improving the overall aesthetics of your smile. While many people refer to these procedures as a ‘smile makeover’, collectively they all have the ability to transform what is currently a smile suffering from chipped, cracked, broken, discolored, or missing teeth into something that any celebrity would be happy to show off! You see, whether you realize it or not your smile has A LOT to do with they other people view you.  Sure, we’ve all been taught to never judge a book by it’s cover, but according to a recent study by the American Academy of Periodontology, 94% of people say that when meeting someone new for the first time, the first thing they are likely to notice  is their smile. So, the question is, what is your smile saying about you? Now,one common misconception is that just any ol’ dentist can perform cosmetic dentistry procedures.  Not true! Cosmetic dentistry should be thought of as a sub-specialty in the dental profession and while many general dentists say they offer cosmetic dentistry, you should be extremely careful and fully investigate these claims. The techniques used to create that Hollywood smile are NOT a part of most dental school curriculum and as a result, for a dentist to truly be a cosmetic dentist, it means he’s invested considerable time and money to receive additional training AFTER completing dental school. You see, while general dentistry requires a very technical sets of skills, cosmetic dentistry is a profession that requires both technical skills as well as an artistic and creative eye.  After all, you’re not just cleaning someone’s teeth, you’re actually creating a visible solution that must look natural and attractive. So, as you consider your options when it comes to choosing a cosmetic dentist, be very careful and be sure to do your homework! Here are some of the various cosmetic dentistry services we provide: The solution that will be best for your situation really depends on the individual.  In order to make a decision, it’s important to consult with a cosmetic dentist so they can better understand your concerns about your smile and what you hope to achieve. To get your questions answered about cosmetic dentistry or to schedule an appointment to discuss your own smile make-over, Contact Us or call us at (513) 896-1573 today!

Mini Dental Implants As the name suggests, these are the small dental implants that are used in place of a traditional, larger dental implants.   Dr. Sekulic can utilize these implants where challenges exist of medical, financial or anatomical reasons. Mini dental implants are most commonly used to replace small teeth, front teeth, pre-molars, teeth in narrow areas or for patients who have low bone tissue density. What are the main differences between mini dental implants and traditional dental implants? The main size difference is in the diameter of the screw, which is less than 3mm across, where as dental implants measure 4 to 5mm in size. Because they are smaller, mini dental implants cannot take the chewing forced that a traditional implant can, so they are not suitable to replace large chewing teeth in the back of your mouth.  They do work very well for lower denture support or lower single tooth replacement in narrow areas. We will help you determine what size implant and location is best for you.  Our digital 3D x ray will give us all the information we need.  This x ray if free for those looking to get dental implants. The process is faster and healing often happens more quickly because of their smaller size.  Dr. Sekulic will have a surgical guide created to assist in the correct placement of your mini dental implants.  In addition, patients also often choose to have some form of sedation to give them comfort and ease of mind during the procedure. The smaller implants can be as much as half of the price of a standard dental implant, making them a more affordable option for those with financial restrictions. Take the next step! If you are ready to start eating, smiling and enjoying increased confidence with your teeth or false teeth please call Dr. Sekulic today 513-896-1573 or schedule online.

Dental Implants are great way to get your teeth back.  If you have lost one tooth or multiple teeth implants can give you something that looks and functions like your previous teeth. Dental Implants Provide a GREAT Permanent Solution For a Less Than Perfect Smile Dr. Sekulic can place these titanium posts into the jawbone.  These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for the replacement teeth. Small posts that emerge from the implants and protrude through the gums provide stable anchors for the replacement teeth. Very importantly, dental implants help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing. However, dental implants are not for everyone.  You must be in good general health, have healthy gums and enough bone in your jaw to support the implants. Consistent maintenance afterward is essential to ensure your implants stay healthy.  Another factor to consider is that implants cost more than other kinds of replacement teeth. Bone support is important and when you loose a tooth the jaw bone shrinks and thins.  Over many years this may put you in a situation where an implant would not be possible without considerable expense and time.  Getting an implant closer to the time of tooth loss will save time and money. Here is an typical time frame for a typical dental implant procedure: If the bone is to thin sometimes a smaller implant called a mini implant can be used.  These are being placed for denture retention or replacement of single teeth. Even though implants take more time and can cost more they are an excellent way to replace teeth.  The patients that will receive the greatest benefit are denture wearers, especially lower dentures.  If you hate the way your lower denture fits a couple of implants will absolutely change your life. To learn more about dental implants and to see if they’re right for you, contact Dr. Sekulic’s office today at (513) 896-1573.