You are here:

Dentistry/TMJ & Teeth Whitening

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/27/2004


Question
I have a question ref TMJ.   How can I ease the clicking when I chew?

Also, I have a filling in the front of my mouth. I have rinsed a couple of times with diluted peroxide.  I am told that the peroxide will mot whiten the fillings.  Will it continue to whiten my teeth or will it just reach a level of whiteness and stop.  I would not like to have white teeth with darker fillings.  I don't plan to pay for new fillings right now.

Please advise - thanks

Answer
Dear Josie:  TMJ clicking can come from several sources.  The shape of the inside of your jaw socket (or the outside of the ball of your jawbone which connects to the socket) may be irregular.  Or your meniscus (the tissue that lies between your socket and bone to cushion movement) may be missing or irregular or in the wrong place.  Or you may have calcifications in the joint.  All of these may cause the clicking.  You may try taking one of the anti-inflammatory medicines (like Advil).  Sometimes this reduces the click for a time.  Soft diet helps.  Or you may see your dentist for a biteguard.  This sometimes works.
After that, it's surgery, which I do not usually recommend.  dd

Dentistry

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.