There are a number of TMJ pain and Cosmetic Dentistry cases that often go hand in hand. This is more of what we term, Functional Cosmetic Dentistry™. The case below shows the before photo of a gentleman who presented with two concerns:
- TMJ popping with pain, and ear congestion
- Cosmetic concerns: unhappy with the wear on his teeth as well as the color and small size of his teeth
- Patient wanted natural appearing teeth
With this case, his TMJ pain and bite issues were addressed first with the use of biomedical instrumentation to find the best physiologic position for his teeth to meet in with respect for his facial and neck muscles and jaw joints. A fixed orthotic was used on the lower teeth to ascertain comfyort and healing prior to addressing the long term phase.
During the orthotic, or jaw repositioning phase this patient had no more symptoms and his options for the long term phase were either physiologic orthodontics followed with upper veneers for cosmetics or to build up the lower teeth with porcelain and then porcelain veneers on the upper 8 teeth for cosmetics.
The patient did not want to go through braces and elected to conservatively restore his bite with porcelain and very minimal drilling of the teeth.
Notice the teeth were made to appear natural with the use of layered porcelain artistry and translucent porcelain as well. The size of the teeth are not only more proportional but also fit the patients face much better.
There are many types of porcelain or ceramics that can be used in this case. The esthetics and function is more in the hands of the cosmetic dentist and ceramist than the type of porcelain.
If you have any questions regarding functional cosmetic dentistry, TMJ treatment, or Veneers, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, FIAPA, 713-668-2289.
