If you would like to contact our Scottsdale and Phoenix area office about sedation dentistry and TMJ treatment, please fill out the form below.
Dr. J. Ladd Williams
1244 N. Greenfield Rd., Suite 103
Mesa, Arizona 85205
Toll Free: 1-866-330-9558
Scottsdale and Phoenix area TMJ and Sedation Dentistry Treatment
Dr. J. Ladd Williams believes that dental pain is unnecessary and counterproductive. Effective, permanent pain relief is central to his treatment philosophy. Dr. Williams believes that by alleviating pain and anxiety in dental treatment, he can encourage diligent dental care, improve the overall quality of people’s lives, and forge long-lasting professional relationships with his patients and their families. Dr. Williams treats Scottsdale and Phoenix area patients for TMJ disorders to alleviate recurring pain, and administers sedation dentistry to make sure dental procedures are pleasant and anxiety-free.
By contacting Dr. Williams, you can learn more about alleviating dental pain.
TMJ Treatment
Temporomandibular joint disorders are complex medical conditions that can affect almost any of the structures in the teeth, jaws, and face. The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull on each side of the face. Because this joint is one of the most structurally intricate and often-used joints in the human body, TMJ disorders have the potential to profoundly and painfully disrupt a person’s daily life.
One factor that makes a TMJ disorder so difficult to diagnose and treat is the wide variety of potential causes and symptoms associated with the condition. The structures of the face, jaws, and mouth are closely interdependent. If one part of this interconnected system is disrupted, the effects can potentially impact any other part of the system.
TMJ disorders can result from a dislocated joint, a misaligned bite, habitual teeth grinding, cartilage wear and tear, and arthritis, and other causes. Any of these issues can lead to other problems over time, including tooth loss, so it is important to address them promptly. The symptoms of TMJ disorders include, but are not limited to tooth pain, jaw pain, joint pain, ear pain, clicking in the jaw, headaches, neck aches, tooth wear and damage, and impaired chewing.
Because there are so many potential causes for TMJ disorders, there are also many treatments available. Orthodontic therapies such as Invisalign® invisible braces are effective for correcting alignment issues, as are tooth reshaping and replacement techniques such as porcelain veneers and porcelain dental crowns. Missing teeth can cause the remaining teeth to move, leading to malocclusion, so replacing missing teeth is a good way to avoid TMJ disorders. Mouth guards are available for patients who grind their teeth. Jaw exercise regimens formulated by Dr. Williams can help alleviate TMJ problems by strengthening muscles in the jaw. Dr. Williams is at the cutting edge of TMJ therapy, so patients at his practice in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area who suffer from TMJ disorders have reason to smile.
Sedation Dentistry
Many patients experience extreme anxiety and even outright fear at the prospect of visiting the dentist. Their feelings may result from a bad experience in the past, a disturbing scene in a movie, or simply a personal dislike or medical treatment in general. Patients who suffer from dental anxiety are likely to put off dental appointments or avoid them altogether. Because regular dental care is such an integral part of good overall health and well-being, avoiding dental care can lead to serious problems. Dr. Williams offers his patients in the Phoenix area sedation dentistry so that they can get the essential treatment they need to achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
Sedation dentistry is intended to take the discomfort and anxiety out of dental appointments. Oral sedatives, nitrous oxide, and local anesthesia are excellent ways to calm and relax a patient throughout the appointment and alleviate pain. Oral sedatives are given to the patient before the appointment, to be taken earlier in the day, or they can be administered at the office. Patients who take these sedatives should arrange to have transportation to and from the appointment, since driving under their influence is unsafe. Nitrous oxide is another excellent sedative option because it takes effect very quickly, leaves the patient calm and responsive, and wears off almost immediately with no after-effects.
Sedatives do not provide pain relief, so they should be used in conjunction with an anesthetic for procedures that have the potential for discomfort. Local anesthesia provides excellent pain relief by numbing the specific area to be treated.
Most people don’t want to avoid dental care. However, fears and anxiety about dental treatment can cause some people to put off seeing the dentist, sometimes for years. Sedation dentistry offered by Dr. Williams makes it possible for every patient to get important dental treatment and care in a comforting environment.
Contact Dr. Williams
As a Scottsdale and Phoenix area expert on TMJ disorders and sedation dentistry, Dr. J. Ladd Williams provides excellent treatment for patients. Contact Dr. Williams today to schedule a consultation.