The Specialty Center for Periodontics Dental Implants

The job of your periodontist is to prevent and treat periodontal disease. A periodontist’s responsibilities include the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease- but up until that point, prevention is our primary goal. Periodontists are also experts in treating oral inflammation, which is frequently an early sign of a developing problem.

Periodontist Training

Your periodontist has received extensive training in generalized dental care before receiving an additional three years of schooling in order to develop proficiency in their specialty. They are continually trained in the latest techniques and technologies. Periodontists are expected to keep up with all of the latest developments in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease.

Scope of Practice

Due to their extensive training and experience, a periodontist can do much more than just periodontal care. A periodontist can treat cases of acute periodontal disease, including advanced cases of gum disease, and patients suffering from severe gum and jaw problems. Periodontists are also able to offer a broad range of services that can include root planing, scaling, and root debridement. Your periodontist is also specially trained in the installation, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.

What to Expect

During the first visit to your periodontist, he or she will ordinarily review your whole medical record and dental history. He or she will ask if you are taking any medications or are being treated for any medical condition whatsoever. It is essential that they are given full and accurate information regarding your complete medical history, past and present. Anything your periodontist does not know can become a significant barrier to correct and effective treatment.

After the preliminary medical background review, your periodontist will examine your gums, check for any recession of the gum line, assess how well your teeth fit together while biting, and determine whether or not any teeth are loose or misaligned. He or she will then use a dental probe to measure the space between the teeth and gums to accurately determine the size of any gaps between those two surfaces.

X-ray images may be taken if your periodontist decides that more information is needed for the appraisal of your oral health. X-rays will be taken if there are any problem signs in the mouth that could be caused by a condition originating in or affecting the bone of the jaw.

When should you see a periodontist?

While many of a patient’s periodontal needs can be taken care of by a general dental practitioner, signs of periodontal disease may require the special training of a periodontal specialist.

As patients age, the likelihood of developing periodontal problems becomes progressively greater. For this reason, it is best for a patient to be in the habit of making regular visits to a general dentist. This enables your dentist to know your dental medical history well enough to foresee possible periodontal trouble in time to get you to make an appointment with the periodontist.

We want to prevent acute disease from developing by treating problem signs at the earliest possible stage. If you are interested in a periodontics consultation, contact our office today.

Dear Friends,

At the Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania, it has always been our goal to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. The Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania uses Intensive Universal Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions.

However, based on the very serious nature of this virus and pandemic the office is closed for the next 2 weeks. At the Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania, as appointments are booked for April we will be gathering information about the well-being and recent travel history of every patient.

If it is determined that a patient may have an acute illness or was exposed to one, treatment at our office will be deferred until the patient has recovered.  We will keep you posted as this evolves

The coronavirus (COVID-19) situation remains clear; isolate, shut down and stay healthy. We promise to share with you what we believe will help you and your family. As a nation the faster we stop moving about, the faster this will remit. 

Coronavirus Concerns & Precautions

The novel coronavirus is known to cause a Fever with possible respiratory fibrosis  (COVID-19), with symptoms including the possibility of fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.  There is currently no vaccination to protect against COVID-19, nor are there drugs to specifically treat the virus. 

However , there are protocols which have been successful . 

Based on personal first hand knowledge , the disease can initiate complete Respiratory shutdown in diabetics, medically compromised patients and healthy patients young or old . 

Covid-19 is very dangerous a combination of SARS, HIV, INFLUENZA with a bacterial vector called PROVETELLA.

If anyone you know has symptoms of a virus here are some simple differentiations.

• The Coronavirus may not show sign of infection for 14 plus days after exposure.
• A fever with achy bones will ensue for 5 to 7 days. Some people will remit others will progress to monitor lung involvement.

To monitor lung involvement, take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it indicates there may be no Fibrosis in lungs.

If you feel any lung involvement call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room. 

In a critical time, please self-check every morning.

Stay well hyrdrated!

Additional Information:

1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you may have a common cold.
2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.
3. This virus is NOT heat-resistant and it hates the Sun.
4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours – so if you come into contact with any metal surface – wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.
6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours, normal laundry detergent will kill it. Leave your clothes in the garage after entering from grocery store. 
7. Drinking hot fluids can more comfort the respirator passages.
8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but – a lot can happen during that time – you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice. Also gargle with vinegar for 30 seconds tilt your head back so it gets to the back of your throat and spit out. 
10. Can’t emphasis enough – drink plenty of water!

If you develop lung involvement or difficulty breathing go to the hospital immediately.

Nutritional protocol:

Nutritional protocols can help keep your immune system strong.

zinc, b vitamins, phospholipid vit c (5000mg daily), quercetin, Vit d3 / K2 sublingual delivery / immune boosting herbs, 1 billion probiotic daily.

Raw Cannabis tinctures consisting of THC / CBD with raw molecules can help with the pain of the disease while supporting the immune system if you have a medical card.

Iv vitamin mega dose therapy may help keep your immune system strong.

• Vitamin C 12,000 mg day
• Magnesium sulfate
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Vitamin B12

These centers have popped up everywhere. Google them.

In addition to Chloroquine an antimalarial has been used with effectiveness in helping remit coronavirus.

Please contact us with any questions.

If you have corona, iv therapy has been shown to extremely effective. In addition Chloroquine an antimalarial has shown effectiveness against the virus. If someone is in desperate respiratory situation hyperbaric oxygen may help.

For any friends or family involved please contact us directly at [email protected].

Please contact us for specific protocols and any questions.
The Lanap and Implant Center of Pennsylvania
DiGiallorenzo DMD and Associates
Experiences Doctors Trust, Expertise and Comfort Patients Love
www.perioimplants.us

Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of the suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any setting where health care is delivered.

Transmission-Based Precautions include Contact Precautions, Droplet Precautions and Airborne Precautions, and are based on the likely routes of transmission of specific infectious agents.

Our office protocols are designed to protect both Dental Healthcare Personnel (DHCP) and you, our patients. These precautions include:

• Hand hygiene
• Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear)
• Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette
• Sharps Safety (engineering and work practice controls)
• Safe injection practices (i.e., aseptic technique for parenteral medications)
• Sterilization of instruments and devices. All instruments are sterilized or used once and disposed of.
• All surfaces of our dental treatment rooms are cleaned and disinfected after every patient.

The materials and methods used have been shown to be effective for viruses. As with flu outbreaks that came before it, we believe the current coronavirus situation will pass. At present, however, keeping aware of the latest information can lead to the proper balance of caution with reduced fear.

We remain committed to keeping you informed, as well as protecting your health and safety. If you would like to find out more on your own, we highly recommend the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu.

Please feel free to share any questions or concerns you may have with us

Call the Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania at either of our two locations
Collegeville p. 610-409-6064 in Montoursville p. 570-300-7133.
Digiallorenzo DMD and Associates
Dr. David DiGiallorenzo and Dr. Henry Hsu

Tuesday, May 12, 2009- PHILADELPHIA, PA – The private practice of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania periodontist and dental implantologist Dr. David Digiallorenzo has become the first specialty office in the greater Philadelphia area to offer laser treatment for gum disease.

Digiallorenzo recently purchased the PerioLase laser made by Millennium Dental Technologies.

“There is no doubt that this treatment is easier for the patients, as there is no need to cut back the gums and suture them back,” said the Philadelphia periodontal expert. “We believe it’s absolutely going to give patients the opportunity to have the treatment they need in a more comfortable, non-threatening way while accelerating the healing process.”

“This technique offers a simple, nonsurgical, minimally invasive, painless method to treat gum disease in one visit under sedation,” Digiallorenzo said. “Traditional treatment also can be done in one visit, but its invasive techniques require peeling back the gums and accessing the bone and tooth roots and then suturing the gums back into place. That isn’t the case with the PerioLase technique.”

The literature and clinical data substantiate its efficacy for optimal patient outcomes, Digiallorenzo said. However, there is not a single modality which is a cure-all, particularly when dealing with chronic diseases such as periodontal disease. Risk factor modification, nutrition, bite problems, medical status and home care must all be taken into consideration and actively addressed for long term success.

“Because it offers a painless treatment option, the laser makes it more attractive for patients to say yes to treatment, rather than allow infection to continue leading to tooth loss and providing a cardiovascular risk factor, which is so prevalent in today’s population,” Digiallorenzo said. “There is no cutting, bleeding or sutures involved in this procedure. Patients like to hear that.”

PerioLase is a product of Millennium Dental Technologies and is designed specifically for laser periodontal therapy and other procedures involving soft tissue. It is the first dentistry laser to use digital technology for increased reliability and performance, according to the company’s Web site. About 1100 practitioners nationwide use this system.

In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the PerioLase for use.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about laser treatment for periodontal disease or you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Digiallorenzo, please call (610) 409-6064 in Collegeville; (570) 322-4741 in Montoursville; or visit his Web site: www.perioimplants.us.

About Dr. David Digiallorenzo
Dr. David Digiallorenzo, or “Dr. D,” graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1993 and completed a specialty in periodontics and dental implantology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.

He is an associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Periodontics. He teaches nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to dental literature.

Dr. D’s private practice in suburban Philadelphia concentrates on periodontics, dental implantology, advanced reconstructive case management and TMJ treatment. It is a unique dental spa with two full-time massage therapists that specialize in reflexology, reiki, massage, aromatherapy and homeopathy. This combination creates a relaxed, optimal healing response.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – In the nearly two years since Philadelphia, PA Periodontist Dr. David DiGiallorenzo’s practice was chosen by Z-Systems to be the first U.S. office to offer the metal-free implant alternative, a multitude of our patients have benefited from the innovative system.

Dr. DiGiallorenzo, a Philadelphia, PA dental implants specialist, was selected in 2009 by the Swiss biotechnology company because he is a key opinion leader in the metal-free implant field.

He has placed roughly 100 metal-free dental implants- including brands other than Z-Systems- since he began using them two years ago.

Metal-free dental implants provide several benefits. Zirconium has become a popular implant material because it has favorable biomechanical characteristics. We have seen that our patients’ hard and soft tissues also respond well to it.

As far as holistic considerations go, zirconium implants make it possible to avoid using titanium or other metal in implant procedures, said Dr. DiGiallorenzo, a Philadelphia, PA periodontics expert.

Aesthetically speaking, zirconia compares in color to your natural tooth color, which eliminates the dark line around the gum that is characteristic of titanium dental implants.

In terms of dental hygiene, many periodontists like zirconium because it retains less calculus and plaque than titanium. That means gums stay healthier.

Metal-free implants have been popular in Japan for a few years. Most of the original science originated there. They continue to gain a devoted following here in the United States as well, due to the growing popularity of metal-free, holistic dentistry. They also serve as a viable alternative to our patients who have been diagnosed with titanium sensitivity by their medical doctor, acupuncturist or chiropractor.

It is estimated that approximately four percent of Americans have titanium sensitivity. Diagnosis of this condition is done through blood, muscle or patch testing. Dr. DiGiallorenzo and the other Philadelphia, PA periodontists offer this testing in our practice.

In the past two years, Dr. DiGiallorenzo has developed a clinician outreach in the U.S. with other clinicians, and he has created a public awareness campaign. He also created a clinical review board to gather data on clinical success, which was presented at two national symposiums in 2009.

“When it comes to the use of ceramics in dentistry, there is a significant history,” he said. “Zirconium dioxide is proving to be particularly well-accepted and proven in dental implantology, and I foresee it becoming as accepted in implantology circles as ceramics are in general and cosmetic dentistry circles.”

The number of registered holistic, metal-free dentists continues to increase, Dr. DiGiallorenzo said. Currently, there are about 5,000 practitioners nationwide.

“Many of the leading manufacturers of dental implants are coating titanium with zirconium to generate improved biologic outcomes,” he said. “Since I began offering the metal-free option in my office, the results have been nothing but extraordinary with phenomenal hard and soft tissue integration.”

May is Stroke Awareness Month, and that’s a great time to understand the connection between periodontal disease and stroke risk.

People with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those who don’t have gum disease.

Many professionals will tell you to eat healthy and exercise more to reduce your stroke risk. But did you know that unhealthy gums can undermine the physical activity you’re doing to promote your health?

This year for Stroke Awareness Month, we’re focusing on this relationship between gum disease and exercise benefits.

Research conducted by Sydney University Professor Jorg Eberhard and published in “The International Journal of Cardiology” in 2014 showed severe gum disease could undermine one of the major benefits of sports activities: improving your biological age, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Professor Eberhard told the Herald he wants to put the “mouth back into the health” by showing the links between poor oral health and the rest of our bodies. We couldn’t agree more.

Routine exercise prevents the parts of DNA that are necessary for cell renewal from shortening as much as they do in people who don’t exercise. Sometimes exercise can even reverse that process.

Research discovered that people with healthy gums who also exercised received the life-extending benefits to their DNA, while people who had severe periodontitis did not receive those benefits.

“We continue to be fascinated by all of the research that connects systemic illnesses to gum health,” says Collegeville periodontist Dr. David DiGiallorenzo. “The studies are so numerous, and we talk about these connections so much in our office, that I hope we’re getting the message across that overall health starts in the mouth.”

Health observances such as Stroke Awareness Month give us a timely reason to offer reminders of this connection.

Perhaps it isn’t too far-fetched to believe there will come a day when scientists recommend that people looking to improve their health through diet and exercise schedule an appointment with their periodontist first.

“It makes sense that someone wanting to get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle might begin with their oral health,” Dr. DiGiallorenzo says. “Oral health is connected to diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, premature babies and even depression. Oral health is a root problem for a variety of ailments.”

Learn More

Are you interested in improving your health? Call our office today to schedule a comprehensive exam. We take a whole-body approach to oral health by offering nutritional therapy and smoking cessation assistance, and we even have a wellness center that offers services such as medical detoxification, acupressure and reflexology. We can help you better understand the connection between oral and systemic health and get you on the path to improved overall health.

Often referred to simply (and inaccurately) as “silver fillings,” mercury amalgam fillings are comprised of a combination of metals. The most prominent component of these dark, unsightly, and unpredictable fillings is mercury, an element that is toxic to humans. With all of the misleading information available to the public regarding mercury in fillings, it is important to find a source of relevant facts in order to become an informed consumer. At LANAP & Implant Center of Pennsylvania in Montoursville, PA and Collegeville, PA, Dr. David DiGiallorenzo and his associates focus on providing our patients with exceptional dentistry and overall wellness services without the use of toxic metal elements. We believe that our patients have a right to know exactly what is going into their mouths and into their bodies, and we hold to the fact that this extends to the materials present in mercury amalgam fillings.

Research and Statistics Surrounding Mercury in Amalgam Fillings

Along with the FDA, pro-mercury dental groups – including the American Dental Association and the World Dental Federation – have consistently and deliberately masked the presence of mercury in fillings by utilizing confusing terminology like “silver” and “amalgam.” In fact, recent polls show that approximately 57 percent of American adults are not even aware that their “silver” fillings contain harmful mercury. In addition, most patients who were treated with mercury amalgam fillings were not informed of the chemical elements that were included in their dental restorations.

Mercury amalgam fillings are being phased out for more than one reason. These metal restorations can cause teeth to fracture over time in response to changes in temperature, making them a “solution” that is more destructive than restorative.

Metal-Free Dentistry for Healthier Smiles

At LANAP & Implant Center of Pennsylvania, Dr. DiGiallorenzo and his team offer metal-free dentistry for improved patient care, zero risk of mercury contamination, and vastly superior aesthetic value. Contact us today to learn more about dentistry without mercury amalgam fillings and to schedule your visit with us in Collegeville, PA or Montoursville, PA. Our cutting-edge dental practice warmly welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding areas as well, including Sunbury, Pottstown, Lock Haven, Bloomberg, and more.

Antidepressants are used by more teenagers and adults now than ever before. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in ten Americans over the age of 12 are on a regular antidepressant regimen. While the majority of mental health professionals agrees that it is a good thing that so many people are being treated with SSRIs, recent research has discovered at least one dental health drawback associated with this increasingly common type of medication: the failure of dental implants.

SSRIs and Failed Dental Implants

SSRI drugs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant drug in America. A recent study released by the International and American Associations for Dental Research, entitled “SSRIs and the Risk of Osseointegrated Implant Failure – A Cohort Study,” discovered that the use of SSRIs actually increases the incidence of dental implant failure. This is due to the increased risk of bone fracture, an issue that directly impacts the success of an osseointegrated dental implant.

When a dental implant is placed within the bone of the jaw, a process called osseointegration occurs. The bone tissue in the jaw gradually fuses with the implant, creating a strong and long-lasting anchor for a custom restoration like a crown or a denture. If SSRI drugs negatively affect the density of bone throughout the body, it logically follows that they would adversely affect the stability of a dental implant.

Researchers found that dental implant patients who also took antidepressants had experienced more implant failure than those who did not take any SSRI medication. This research will likely influence the way both the dental and medical industries formulate treatment plans for implant patients who are being treated for depression.

Empowering Yourself with Information

Whether you currently take antidepressants and are concerned about their effect on your oral health, or you simply want to learn more about how this type of drug impacts dental implants, contact us today and talk with our caring, skilled oral healthcare team. We want nothing more for our patients than the ability to live full and healthy lives with strong and beautiful smiles. Conveniently located in Collegeville, PA and Montoursville, PA, LANAP & Implant Center of Pennsylvania is privileged to serve families from throughout nearby communities in Lock Haven, Bloomberg, Sunbury, Pottstown, and beyond.

Getting stuck in long lines, having a flat tire on the interstate, or dealing with a problem child are enough to send your blood pressure through the roof at times.

Korean researchers recently discovered another potential culprit of hypertension: poor oral hygiene habits.

This study looked at data collected between 2008 and 2010 from 19,560 people in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Investigators evaluated daily brushing habits, as well as dental floss, mouthwash, interdental brushes and electric toothbrush use.

Nearly 6,000 study participants were diagnosed with high blood pressure. For individuals with and without periodontitis (the most severe form of gum disease), those who brushed their teeth frequently had a decreased prevalence of hypertension. Overall, study participants with poor oral hygiene habits were more likely to have higher hypertension frequency.

Researchers in this study came to the conclusion that periodontitis and hypertension might be linked, because inflammation may lead to elevated blood pressure.  They went on to hypothesize that people with poor oral hygiene behavior are more likely to have a higher prevalence of hypertension, even if they exhibit no signs of periodontitis. Therefore, oral hygiene may be considered an independent risk factor for hypertension, and maintaining good periodontal health habits may prevent and control the condition, according to the AAP.

We know hypertension needs to be controlled, because it can lead to more serious health conditions, including stroke, damage to the heart and arteries, and kidney defects.

“It’s interesting how yet again, researchers have identified a link between oral health and systemic health issues,” says Collegeville periodontist Dr. David DiGiallorenzo.

Inflammation is a key initiator of all acute and chronic disease states, including cardiovascular disease, periodontal disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and most autoimmune disorders and neurologic disorders, Dr. DiGiallorenzo says, adding, “Untreated dental disease including gum disease and infected teeth will unequivocally act as a source of inflammatory mediators.”

“These chronic inflammatory mediators will cause a shift in gene expression and result in diseases. This is called epigenics,” he says. “Evidence is conclusive that we must rearrange our paradigm as practitioners to educate our patients about this relationship. Oral infection is still pervasive in the global population.”

These studies are useful in helping periodontists drive home the importance of good oral health and promoting a whole-body approach to health.

“Certainly diet, lifestyle and reduction of toxin exposure remain at the heart of a preventive lifestyle,” Dr. DiGiallorenzo says. “I’m hopeful that the more evidence we show patients about how keeping their teeth and gums healthy can promote overall health, patients will lead happier, healthier lives.”

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The PA periodontists in Dr. David DiGiallorenzo’s Collegeville and Montoursville practice recently began offering two lines of nutritional supplements to patients as a means of promoting the connection between good nutrition and improved periodontal health.

DiGiallorenzo, a PA dental implants specialist, introduced Isagenix and NuVerus because studies have shown that nutritional supplements can help patients improve their immune systems and fight gum infections.

“We use the Isagenix Cleanse and NuVerus’s Euphoria protocol to strengthen immunity, improve digestion, build proteins, reduce inflammation and remove toxins from the body,” said the PA periodontist.

“All of these factors are crucial when dealing with chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and a variety of other conditions.”

Strengthening immunity is of particular importance because immune response with periodontal infection changes the way oral tissues properly use nutrients, and that has a bearing on normal repair and healing. Nutritional deficiencies also can weaken the resistance of oral tissues to plaque bacteria, which can result in more inflammation.

Isagenix cleanse helps increase the rate at which impurities are removed from the body, according to the company’s Web site. It also provides nourishment in the form of vital nutrients that help improve a person’s health.

The company maintains that once a body is cleansed, it is revitalized and stronger; it works more efficiently and performs at a higher level; and it resists illness more effectively.

Euphoria by NuVerus contains nigella sativa, or black seed, along with other fruits and plant extracts to create a drink that provides energy and antioxidants that help protect the body from harmful free radicals.

DiGiallorenzo calls nutrition “an essential part of the puzzle,” and said many foods we eat today don’t provide the nutritional support the body needs.

“We have become far too sophisticated and many of our foods lack the nutrients they once had,” he said. “We all can benefit from nutritional supplements.”

DiGiallorenzo began offering nutritional consultation as a routine part of his practice’s therapeutic protocol to enhance healing for patients with periodontal disease and patients who have had dental implants.

Learn More
If you’re ready for an alternative approach to your total wellness, trust your oral health to our experts at the LANAP & Implant Center today! Call 610-409-6064 for our Collegeville, PA office or 570-300-7133 for our Montoursville location. You can also fill out our convenient online form to set up an appointment.

About Dr. David Digiallorenzo
Dr. David Digiallorenzo, or “Dr. D,” graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1993 and completed a specialty in periodontics and dental implantology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.

He is a past associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Periodontics. He teaches nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to dental literature.

Dr. D’s private practice in suburban Philadelphia concentrates on periodontics, dental implantology, advanced reconstructive case management and TMJ treatment. It is a unique dental spa with two full-time massage therapists that specialize in reflexology, reiki, massage, aromatherapy and homeopathy. This combination creates a relaxed, optimal healing response.

Everyone gets sore muscles from time to time. But when the muscles in your jaw joints (called TMJ) get sore, you could be facing a big problem. If you get a sore back, you can lie down and take it easy. But if you try to do that with your jaw, you won’t be able to talk, chew, or drink.

To make things worse, untreated TMJ pain can blossom into pain throughout your upper body. You could even face problems with chronic migraines or lockjaw.

That’s why you need to call us today at our Collegeville, PA dental office (610-409-6064) or our Montoursville, PA dental office (570-300-7133). Our dentists are trained in many different TMJ treatments so you can get the one that works best for you.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Your jaw is controlled by two joints just below your ears. They’re formally known as your temporomandibular joints, but it’s easier to call them your TMJ. Whenever you move your jaw to laugh, chat, eat, drink, or even yawn, you use these joints.

That’s why TMJ pain can be a sign there are bigger problems ahead for you. When the muscles in your TMJ get overworked and damaged, they don’t have time to rest and heal naturally. This becomes a condition known as TMJ disorder.

It might start out as mild pain or stiffness, but it can soon turn into these problems:

• Earaches and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Headaches and migraines
• Shoulder and upper back pain
• Neck pain
• Lockjaw

By calling the LANAP & Implant Center of Pennsylvania today, you can make an appointment for TMJ treatment before that jaw pain gets much worse.

Debunking TMJ Disorder Myths

TMJ disorder isn’t very common, which is probably why there are many myths and misconceptions about it. To set the record straight, here are the truth about TMJ problems.

Myth: TMJ pain will go away once you rest your jaw enough.

Fact: TMJ pain normally gets worse and can spread.

Giving your jaw joints time to rest and heal is actually a great way to treat TMJ disorder. The only problem is that, since this is a disorder, your TMJ have trouble getting that rest. If it was as simple as not chewing or talking for a bit, you wouldn’t have any problems.

For almost all cases, you need TMJ treatment from a dentist trained in such matters. That’s exactly what you’ll get at either of our Pennsylvania dental offices. By using treatments like orthotic appliances or laser biostimulation, you can give your TMJ the help they need to heal.

Myth: TMJ is caused by grinding your teeth.

Fact: Grinding is only one cause; there are others.

Bruxism is the technical term for grinding your teeth unconsciously. When you do this, you’re damaging your teeth. But you’re also putting extra stress on your jaw joints, which can definitely lead to TMJ disorder.

However, that’s only one cause. You can get TMJ disorder from a jaw injury, arthritis, inflammation, and more. So while teeth grinding often leads to TMJ disorder, you can still have this problem without grinding your teeth.

Myth: TMJ treatment requires oral surgery.

Fact: There are many non-surgical treatments for TMJ disorder.

Some people believe that, much like with problems with your knees or elbow, jaw joint problems will require surgery. That definitely is one treatment that can help, but there are others. These include orthotic appliances you wear at night over your teeth that let your TMJ rest.

Other treatments available at our Pennsylvania dental offices include massage therapy, vapor coolant sprays, laser biostimulation, muscle relaxants, and even tooth replacement therapy. There are certainly many different ways for you to get TMJ treatment.

Myth: TMJ disorder only affects your jaw.  

Fact: TMJ disorder can affect your jaw, ears, head, and more.

If something is called “TMJ disorder,” then it only involves your jaw joints, right? Unfortunately, that is a myth. Because your muscles are interconnected, problems with the muscles in your jaw joints can spread pain throughout your upper body. It’s not uncommon for TMJ pain to become pain in the head, neck, ears, shoulders, and upper back. TMJ disorder can also cause strong migraines.

If you’re ready for an alternative approach to your total wellness, trust your oral health to our experts at the LANAP & Implant Center today! Call 610-409-6064 for our Collegeville, PA office or 570-300-7133 for our Montoursville location. You can also fill out our convenient online form to set up an appointment.