Our Newport Beach Dentists, Dr. Lance Alder and Dr. Jake Barton, are able to address a number of complex oral health concerns. Our options range from general, preventative, and cosmetic dental treatments to more advanced types of care, including sedation dentistry and remedies for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Using a personalized, compassionate approach, Dr. Alder and the rest of our team will thoroughly listen to your needs and determine the best treatment for you.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, rest assured that you are not alone; approximately 75% of Americans experience a fear of the dentist. As such, we are happy to offer several sedation dentistry methods to reduce anxiety during dental procedures. Depending upon the extent of treatment being performed or your particular level of discomfort, we can administer local anesthesia, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation. We encourage you to disclose your dental anxiety to Dr. Alder, Dr. Barton, or another member of our team to help us make your visit as relaxing as possible.
“TMD” refers to any type of disorder affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your skull to your jaw. Harmful habits like jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism) can wear this joint down and cause problems chewing, speaking, and even opening and closing the mouth. TMD can also cause muscle tightness, headaches, “popping” or “clicking” sensations, and a significant amount of pain. While the ideal solution for your TMD will depend on the severity of your condition and specifics of your needs, Dr. Alder and Dr. Barton typically prescribe nightguards, physical therapy, or certain medications to combat this type of concern.
Although snoring is fairly common, it may be indicative of a more serious issue known as sleep apnea. This disorder is caused by a blockage of the throat that leads to lapses in breathing during sleep. When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to pressing health conditions, such as heart problems and high blood pressure. Thankfully, our dentists can address sleep apnea with customized oral appliances to facilitate proper breathing patterns during sleep. We can also recommend other courses of action against sleep apnea, such as diet and lifestyle adjustments.
To learn more about our advanced care options, feel free to contact Newport Beach Dental today.