Many people struggle with TMJ pain. However, it’s not something that you just have to live with. Perfect White Smile of Beverly Hills offers a few options for treating ear pain and other symptoms associated with TMD.

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull on either side of the head. The joint allows you to move your jaw back and forth, side to side, and up and down. When overused or injured, you can develop TMD, which is a painful inflammatory condition that can cause additional issues such as ear pain.

Why Does TMJ Ear Pain Occur?

One of the most common symptoms of TMD is ear pain. The primary reason this occurs is due to the proximity of the joint to the auditory canal. Tinnitus, which is a ringing sound in the ear is part of TMJ ear pain.

Symptoms of TMJ Ear Pain

Common symptoms of TMJ ear pain include:

Options for TMJ Ear Pain Treatment

Perfect White Smiles in Beverly Hills offers several options for treating ear pain and other symptoms associated with TMD. We start with the most conservative and only escalate to surgical options if necessary.

Physical Therapy and Exercises

Typically, dentists start with the most conservative treatment possible, which is physical therapy and jaw exercises. Many times, these are combined with non-surgical options.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Non-surgical options include:

Mouth Guards

Oral appliances such as mouth guards and oral splints reduce the effects of bruxism by placing the jaw in a better position. While you can purchase a mouthguard over-the-counter, it’s best to get a custom-fitted one from the dentist.

Behavioral Changes

Things such as avoiding chewing on ice and working on improving your posture can be used to treat Tover counter Injections

Dry needling or injecting botulinum toxin or corticosteroids into painful muscle knots can release the knots and relieve the pain.

TENS Therapy

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, therapy uses volt electrical currents to relax muscles.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy delivers heat deep into the tissues, which increases blood flow and relaxes muscles.

Surgical Options

If conservative options are ineffective, surgical options may be recommended and include:

Arthrocentesis

This is often used to determine the cause of the soreness in your jaw joint. During this procedure, a needle can be used to remove fluid buildup from the joint to relieve symptoms.

TMJ Arthroscopy

This is also referred to as keyhole surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision just in front of your ear and insert a thin tube with a light and a camera to explore the area. Then, surgical instruments can be used to remove scar tissue, reshape bone, or reposition the joint disk.

Open-Joint Surgery

If keyhole surgery isn’t an option, open-joint surgery may be used. This involves a long incision being made in the jaw to allow direct access.

Schedule Your TMJ Consultation and Treatment at Perfect White Smiles

If you have the signs and symptoms of TMD or if you’ve already been diagnosed, schedule your consultation and treatment at Perfect White Smiles today in Beverly Hills. We offer a variety of treatment options to help you relieve your ear pain and other symptoms.

TMJ Ear Pain FAQs

If you have questions about TMJ disorder, the team at Perfect White Smiles is happy to help. Below are some of the most common questions that we’ve gotten about TMJ and ear pain.

How long does it take for TMJ ear pain to go away?

Typically, ear pain and other TMJ symptoms usually resolve within a few days of treatment. If you are still having issues after conservative treatments, you may want to consider escalating to more serious treatment options.

How do I know if my ear pain is from TMJ?

An ENT specialist will be able to examine you and determine if your ear pain is due to TMJ or an ear infection. If your pain is caused by TMD, the dentists at Perfect White Smiles can help.

Why does my jaw hurt on one side near my ear?

In some cases, jaw pain may be due to TMD. However, it should always be taken seriously because there may be an underlying dental issue, or you may have another condition such as sinusitis or even a heart attack.

How do you fix TMJ on one side?

Ice packs and medications are often used to resolve pain on one side due to TMD. We will work with you to determine the cause of your pain and create a customized treatment plan.

The team at Perfect White Smile offers a wide range of general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services. These services can be provided alone or together. If several are combined, it may be considered a full mouth restoration.

This is often recommended for patients who have:

However, full-mouth restoration can be expensive. In this article, we will explain the average cost of this procedure and what impacts this cost.

What is full mouth restoration?

Full mouth restoration is a combination of two or more general, restorative, or cosmetic dental procedures. This process is designed to provide substantial aesthetic and functional improvements by rebuilding and/or replacing many or all of the natural teeth.

Since there are usually several procedures involved, the cost can be high.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Full Mouth Restoration

Several factors can impact the cost of a full mouth restoration, including:

Types of Restorations

The types of restorations have the most impact on the cost of this procedure:

Dental Implants

On average, dental implants are about $5,000 per tooth. A full arch can be replaced with the All-on-4 system, which usually costs an average of about $12,000.

Crowns and Veneers

The cost of dental crowns and veneers is based primarily on the material of the restoration. On average, veneers range from around $400 to $2,500 per tooth, and dental crowns range from around $500 to $2,000 per tooth.

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings cost an average of $50 to $300 per tooth.

Orthodontic Work

Orthodontic work may include traditional braces for an average cost of $3,000 to $8,000 or Invisalign clear aligners for an average cost of around $1,200 to $8,000.

Geographic Location

The location of the dental clinic also plays a major role in the cost of treatments. Most of the time, a clinic located in a rural area will have lower fees than one in a major city. In addition, a clinic located at a dental school may offer lower fees since the services are performed by the students.

Dentist’s Expertise and Reputation

The expertise and reputation of the dentist impact the cost of treatment. A dentist who has a good reputation and has been practicing for some time will have higher fees than one who has just graduated from dental school.

Materials Used

Common materials used in full-mouth restorations are porcelain or composite resin.

Porcelain restorations usually cost more because they are more natural-looking and have a longer life expectancy. Composite resin is often less expensive but may not offer as much of a natural appearance and usually must be replaced more often.

Additional Services and Treatments

Additional services and treatments will typically add to the cost of your full-mouth restoration. For example, most procedures are done with local anesthesia- but if you need sedation, you can expect to see an additional fee on your bill.

Average Costs of Full Mouth Restoration

Since full mouth reconstruction involves a variety of procedures, the cost varies based on your specific needs. Typically, a modest restoration may cost around $15,000, while a more comprehensive restoration may cost around $80,000.

Some procedures cost much more than others. For example, a dental implant can cost around $5,000 per tooth, while a dental crown may only cost around $1,500.

Financing and Insurance Options for Full Mouth Restoration

Dental insurance may cover a portion or more of a full mouth reconstruction based on the treatments that are included. Most insurance providers will not question medically necessary procedures such as gum disease treatment or root canal therapy. However, they may not be willing to cover cosmetic treatments such as tooth whitening or dental veneers.

Our friendly office staff will work with your insurance provider to determine your coverage limits. If you do not have dental insurance or if your insurance does not cover some or all of your treatments, we will be happy to explain our financing options.

Schedule Your Full Mouth Restoration at Perfect White Smiles in Beverly Hills Today

If you have concerns about the appearance and functionality of your teeth, schedule your consultation with the team at Perfect White Smiles today in Beverly Hills. We will examine your mouth to determine your needs and create a custom full-mouth restoration plan to restore your smile.

Full Mouth Restoration FAQs

The team at Perfect White Smiles in Beverly Hills has experience and expertise in a variety of dental services. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. We will be happy to help you understand. Below are some of the most common questions that we get:

Is full mouth restoration painful?

In the past, many of the procedures involved in full mouth restoration- such as root canal treatment- could be painful. However, thanks to advancements in dental technology and anesthesia, most patients only experience minor discomfort, which can be controlled with pain relievers and usually resolves within a few days.

How long does it take to heal a full mouth?

Healing depends on the procedures that you have done as well as your body’s ability to heal. Extensive treatments, such as dental implants take much longer to heal than root canal treatments.

How much is it to fix your entire mouth?

The cost of a full-mouth restoration depends on the procedures that you need. Some patients only need a minor restoration, while others need more extensive work. The average costs range from around $15,000 to $80,000.

Can a dentist fix all your teeth at once?

Full-mouth restoration takes some time. It is important to note that all procedures cannot be done at the same time.

Research shows that most people would love to have perfectly straight teeth- but this ideal is something that very few people have. Almost everyone has a slight misalignment. While many people can live with theirs, many others are severe enough to cause issues.

Before the year 2000, the primary treatment option was traditional metal braces, which were uncomfortable and unsightly. In the late 1990s, the FDA approved a new treatment: Invisalign. This is one of the most popular orthodontic treatment options at Perfect White Smile in Beverly Hills.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces. This is a system of clear, retainer-like aligners designed to put even pressure across the entire arch. This pressure gradually pushes them into alignment.

They are designed to be removed while eating and while brushing/flossing teeth but should be worn for a minimum of 20 hours a day. The average treatment time is about 12 to 18 months.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign offers several benefits over traditional braces, including:

Aesthetics

Aligners are transparent, which means they are virtually invisible.

Comfort

Aligners are made from smooth plastic, which makes them more comfortable than traditional metal braces. You may still have some minor discomfort from the pressure being put on your teeth.

Removability

Aligners are designed to be removed while eating and while brushing/flossing teeth. This means that you have little to no food restrictions- and your risk of developing tooth decay and/or gum disease is reduced.

Oral hygiene

Since you can remove the aligners, there are no special oral hygiene considerations. You can continue to brush and floss your teeth as usual.

Diet flexibility

Since the aligners are removable, you don’t have to be concerned with diet restrictions- but you must make sure to clean your mouth of food debris before putting aligners back in.

Reduced treatment time

The average treatment time for Invisalign aligners is about 12 to 18 months. If you have a very mild misalignment, you may see full results within about 6 months. On the other hand, if you have a more severe misalignment or you are not compliant with wearing the aligners, you may need up to 24 months.

What Kinds Of Dental Issues Does Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign is designed to resolve a variety of mild to moderate dental misalignments, including:

How It Works to Straighten Teeth

There are several steps in the Invisalign process:

Consultation and Planning

The very first step to any treatment at Perfect White Smile in Beverly Hills is a consultation appointment. During this visit, the dentist will evaluate your smile to determine the type and severity of your misalignment. We will take some digital images of your smile.

Your dental history and Oral hygiene habits will also be discussed, as well as your willingness to follow through with wearing the aligners. This information will be used to create your custom treatment plan.

Aligner Production

The digital images and other information will be sent to a lab for the fabrication of your custom aligners. This usually takes a couple of weeks.

Wearing Invisalign Aligners

When we receive your aligners, we will schedule your appointment to pick them up. We will help you with the first one to ensure that they fit properly. You will then be sent home with your aligners and instructions to wear them for at least 20 hours a day and change them every 1 to 3 weeks based on your treatment plan.

Tracking Progress

Traditional braces require visits to the dentist every few weeks for adjustment. However, with Invisalign, you only need to check in about every 6 weeks so that we can monitor your progress. If things are not progressing as expected, we can make some adjustments to your plan.

Aftercare

Once you have reached the end of your treatment, we will evaluate your smile. If you are satisfied with your results, you will be given a retainer to wear. This will keep your teeth in their new position.

You will need to wear the retainer on the same schedule you did your aligners at first. We will gradually reduce the time you need to wear it until you only wear it while sleeping.

Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation at Perfect White Smile In Beverly Hills

If you live in or near Beverly Hills and have some concerns about the alignment of your teeth, schedule your consultation with the team at Perfect White Smile. Dr. Frey has been in the industry for about 34 years and is passionate about helping his patients create a smile they can be proud of.

Invisalign FAQs

If you have questions or concerns about Invisalign treatment at Perfect White Smiles, our staff will be glad to answer them. Below are a few of the most common questions that we hear from our patients.

Is Invisalign faster than braces?

The average treatment time for traditional braces ranges from around 12 to 24 months, possibly up to 36 months for more severe cases. The average treatment time for Invisalign aligners ranges from around 12 to 18 months. Research has shown that very mild cases can be resolved in as little as 6 months with Invisalign, while more severe cases can take up to 24 months. Therefore, treatment time is comparable, if not a little faster than traditional braces.

Do you sleep with Invisalign?

While the aligners should be removed while eating and when brushing/flossing your teeth, they must be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that you should wear them while sleeping.

Can you wear Invisalign while eating?

One of the major benefits of Invisalign aligners is that they are removable and should be removed before eating. Certain foods can damage and/or stain the aligners, rendering them ineffective.

Can I clean Invisalign with toothpaste?

You should not use toothpaste to clean your Invisalign aligners, because it could contain abrasives that will scratch them. You should use a clear, fragrance-free antibacterial soap and a toothbrush with soft bristles.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t care too much for your smile. Research shows that if someone wanted to change something about their appearance, they would start with their smile.

This is why cosmetic dentistry is such a popular field. Experts expect this industry to reach $32 billion by the year 2026. One of the most popular cosmetic treatments is dental veneers (1).

In this article, we’ll explain more about traditional dental veneers including the advantages and disadvantages of composite resin and porcelain. Plus, we’ll explain how you can decide which one is right for you.

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment designed to improve the appearance of teeth. This process involves placing thin, tooth-colored shells over the front of the teeth, typically the upper 6 to 8 front teeth (2).

Veneers address issues such as discoloration, size, shape, chips/cracks, and small gaps.

Permanent dental veneers are made of composite resin or porcelain and usually require extensive tooth preparation. However, there are also “no-prep” veneers, which are applied differently.

Composite Veneers

Composite resin veneers are made from the same material as tooth-colored dental fillings. There are two types of composite veneers: direct and indirect.

In the case of indirect dental veneers, the veneers are fabricated outside of the mouth. In the case of direct dental veneers, the composite resin is applied in layers directly to the teeth.

Advantages of Composite Veneers

There are several advantages of composite veneers, including:

Cost Effective

Composite veneers typically cost about $400 to $2,000 per tooth– which is much lower than the average of $925 to $2,500 per tooth for porcelain.

Placement

Composite veneers are easier to place than porcelain because they can be done directly, with layers being applied to teeth. Additionally, composite doesn’t require as much enamel reduction since it can be a direct application process.

Easy Repairs

Over the years, veneers may be damaged for a variety of reasons. Composite veneers can be repaired, while porcelain will need to be replaced.

Disadvantages of Composite Veneers

There are also a few disadvantages of composite veneers, including:

It is not as durable as porcelain

Composite veneers are made to last an average of 5 to 7 years but may last up to 10 with proper care and maintenance.

More Maintenance

Since composite is not as strong or durable as porcelain, it will require more repair and replacement than porcelain.

Less resistance

Composite veneers offer less resistance than porcelain, which means they are more likely to become damaged.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers are thin shells made of medical-grade ceramic. The dentist will remove some of the enamel and etch the teeth to apply them.

Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

There are several advantages of porcelain veneers including:

Durability

Porcelain veneers are of higher quality and last up to 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance.

Stain Resistance

Porcelain is resistant to stains- but should still be cared for by brushing regularly, limiting consumption of staining foods/beverages, and visiting the dentist every 6 months.

Appearance

Porcelain looks more like natural teeth than composite resin.

Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers

On the other hand, there are also several disadvantages of porcelain veneers, including:

Cost

The average cost of porcelain dental veneers ranges from around $925 to $2,500 per tooth– which is much higher than the average of $400 to $2,000 per tooth of composite.

Long Placement Process

Porcelain veneers must be fabricated in an outside lab, which means the process takes much longer than composite, which can be directly applied.

Durability

Porcelain is much stronger and longer-lasting than composite resin.

Which Option Is Right for You?

There are several factors to consider when determining which type of veneer is right for you, including:

Conclusion

Dental veneers are a popular way to improve the appearance of your smile. There are two options for permanent veneers: composite and porcelain. Both have advantages and disadvantages. You must weigh these to determine which option is right for you.

If you have concerns about the appearance of your smile, dental veneers may be worth considering. While more invasive than teeth whitening, the results last longer and are often better. If cost is a concern, you may want to consider dental financing options.

Still Have Questions Related To Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers?

Give us a call! Perfect White Smiles is a state of the art cosmetic dental clinic in Beverly Hills, CA and rated as one of the top cosmetic dental clinics in California.

Dental Veneers FAQs

If you have any questions about dental veneers or other cosmetic treatments, reach out to your dental health team. They will be able to help you. Below are some of the most common questions when it comes to dental veneers.

Are porcelain veneers stronger than composite?

Yes, porcelain veneers are stronger and last longer than composite. On average, porcelain veneers last 10 to 15 years and may last up to 20 or more with proper care and maintenance. However, composite veneers last an average of 5 to 7 years and may last up to 10 with proper care and maintenance.

Can you drink coffee with composite veneers?

There are no food or drink restrictions with composite veneers. However, it is important to note that certain foods/beverages may stain your veneers. Therefore, it’s important to brush your teeth after consuming these- or at least rinse well with water.

How long do composite veneers stay white?

Veneers, much like natural teeth, will stain over time. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the material, teeth whitening cannot be used on them. However, as long as you brush regularly, limit your consumption of foods/beverages known to cause stains, and visit your dentist every 6 months, you can keep your veneers white.

How many hours do composite veneers take?

The length of time it takes to get composite veneers depends on whether you have chosen direct or indirect veneers and how many teeth are being treated. Typically, the process takes about 30 minutes or so per tooth.