TMJ and Neuromuscular Dentistry

I’ve got quite a story to tell. I hope that maybe other people can avoid making some the of mistakes I made, and save themselves a lot of pain and A LOT of money.

I have a long standing teeth grinding habit that caused me to have porcelain crowns placed on all of my teeth about 10 years ago. At the time, I went with the dentist who quoted me the best price, and I’ve paid for it ever since. The crowns were not placed like they should have been, and they have worn down over time. I also have a lot of pain when I chew, and have been told I have a “posterior crossbite”. I’ve been struggling with gum disease off and on for years because of the placement of the crowns, and they are just plain ugly.

I’ve determined that my biggest mistake was in not choosing the right professional to help me the first time around. Because of the pain in my jaw and the complexity of my case, I have consulted with a neuromuscular dentist who also has a lot of experience in cosmetic dentistry. I asked for his credentials in both, and he directed me to his website where I read about the extensive coursework he has had in treating TMJ, and saw pictures of his cosmetic work in his Smile Gallery. His prices are a little higher than those of the general dentists I have talked to, but looking at those pictures and reading about his education and awards really made me realize that he is worth every penny and then some.

We are currently working on addressing the TMJ issues that are likely at the cause of all my issues, and he has given me a phased treatment plan that I can afford. We’ll eventually replace the old crowns with new porcelain crowns, and if his Smile Gallery photos are anything to go by, my new smile is going to be stunning.

I just wanted to share my story, so that other people don’t make the same mistake I did and then pay for it for years to come. Don’t price shop for a dentist!

Lucy in Chicago

Dear Lucy,

We hear stories like yours every day, and it really speaks for itself. We hope to hear soon that your smile has joined all the others in your dentist’s smile gallery!

Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Malone’s office sponsored this blog post.

For more information about CEREC crowns, which are dental crowns that can be done in a fraction of the time of standard porcelain crowns, see our website.