Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (also known as "Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome" or "TMJ") is a very painful condition that is caused by a misaligned jaw. Many people who suffer with this condition go to a medical doctor because the symptoms are so very painful and so diverse that a dental diagnosis is rarely, if ever, considered first. Some of the most common symptoms of TMD include:

• Jaw pain
• Facial pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Clicking/popping noises in the jaw area
• Locking of the jaw
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Bruxism (grinding of the teeth)
• Stiffness in the jaw
• Severe headaches (often confused with migraines)
• Numbness/tingling in the fingers

Looking at this list of symptoms, it is quite obvious why a dental diagnosis is rarely considered. After all, why would your fingers, hands and shoulders be related to a problem with your mouth? However, a misaligned jaw will result in these numerous and very widespread symptoms in your head and body.

An experienced neuromuscular dentist, such as Dr. Daniel Melnick at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry, can provide not only an accurate diagnosis of TMD, but can also treat this very painful condition. While many medical doctors may be able to treat your symptoms temporarily by prescribing pain medications or some type of physical therapy, neuromuscular dentists are actually able to treat the cause of the symptoms by relaxing the facial muscles, putting the jaw in its optimal position, and permanently realigning your bite. People who have suffered from this condition for years are finally able to find permanent relief from their symptoms.

If you believe you may suffer from the painful symptoms of TMD, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry in Laurel, Maryland today to schedule your TMD consultation.

Sleep apnea is a very serious medical condition characterized by stoppages in your breathing while you sleep. People who suffer from sleep apnea will stop breathing, sometimes for up to several seconds, multiple times throughout the night. People with sleep apnea are often unaware that they have this condition, and it is often the person's partner who notices that their breathing stops intermittently throughout the night. Though the sufferer is not aware that he or she has this disorder, it is very serious nonetheless. Chronic snorers very often suffer from sleep apnea as the two are closely related.

Sleep apnea is caused by a collapse in the soft tissue in your throat and tongue, which creates a blockage in your air passage. These periods of stoppage in breathing restrict the oxygen traveling to your heart and brain.

Sleep apnea may result in:

• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Digestive problems
• Mood swings
• Fatigue during the day
• Diabetes

The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); it is estimated that several million people suffer from sleep apnea in the United States. While this is a very serious medical disorder, a highly trained dentist with experience in sleep apnea and snoring treatments can accurately diagnose and treat the condition and provide you with much more restful nights of sleep.

If you think you or your partner suffers from sleep apnea, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry in Laurel, Maryland to schedule a sleep apnea consultation.