Our Services

Family Dentistry for Central Maine
Dental Care for the Individual

Maintaining your dental health is important at every age! Please schedule regular appointments for preventative care. We look forward to your visit at least twice a year for a cleaning, exam, and x-rays.

In addition to routine dentistry, Smile Solutions of Maine offers a full-range of specialized dental services in both of our offices. We use progressive dental technology to develop individualized treatment plans and personalized service. The outstanding clinical care Smile Solutions provides will help you achieve optimal oral health.

High-Quality Crowns in Winthrop and Waterville, ME

We’ll Craft You a Dental Cap That Will Function and Look Just Like Your Natural Tooth

A dental cap (crown) is a reliable restoration for rebuilding and protecting a tooth that has been damaged. As a practice, we have decided to keep a high–quality approach to our dental restoration services, meaning all of our crowns are expertly made by lab technicians here in the United States. Our dentists will work with you to figure out exactly which materials will be right to restore your tooth, with the majority of our restorations being made of the highest-quality, naturally-looking porcelain. Your tooth’s crown will also be designed to last longer and look better than those made by same-day crowns fabricated by scanners. At Smile Solutions of Maine, our goal is to maintain the natural, attractive appearance of your smile while restoring the full function and durability of your teeth. Interested? Call on of our conveniently located offices in Waterville (207-837-2073) or Winthrop (207-377-6958) or connect with us online to schedule your consultation today! 

Here’s the Bottom Line About Our Dental Crowns (Caps) 

Our dentist will usually recommend a dental cap when a large portion of your natural tooth has been removed due to moderate or severe caries, a root canal, or from an accident. Your tooth’s crown will be designed to protect the remaining part of your natural tooth under the dental cap for years. Visibly, it will be extremely difficult to tell the difference between your natural smile and your tooth’s new crown when they are fabricated by our experienced technicians. Our approach is designed to not only ensure the best possible functionality, but also match the color and shape in the front region of the mouth where everything is visible when you smile.   

How Long Will Your Tooth’s Crown Last?  

Generally, your tooth’s crown can last between 10-25 years. It will all depend on what stage the tooth was crowned, what type of crown was used, and the provider’s expertise. Our practice is known for our expertise in crown and bridge work. Not only do we crown teeth when we have the best chance of long-term success, but we use materials which have the ability to capture a perfect margin. Then our lab technicians are able to fabricate an exceptionally sealed final crown restoration.  Furthermore, prior to our final cementation we always take a radiograph to ensure a perfect marginal seal and fit. All these steps will provide the best possible outcome and help ensure the longevity for your final dental cap. 

Our Dental Cap Procedures  

A crown requires two visits. During the first visit, we will make sure to use our painless Computer Controlled Anesthetic delivery system for local anesthesia also known as “The wand”.  If the tooth requires a new filling, we will proceed with that first before continuing with the final preparation and impression of your tooth. We will then send these impressions to our lab partners to craft your custom dental cap. All our crowns are made within the United States by certified lab technicians who use the highest-quality materials for the best aesthetic results.  Our dentist will then place a temporary crown over the tooth as we wait for your final restoration to be fabricated. Our temporaries are custom made for a strength and esthetics.  Even patients who need to travel for lengthy periods of time can feel assured that our temporaries will last and function predictably. 

During the second visit, which takes between 20-30min, you won’t need to get numbed again. We’ll gently remove the temporary crown, check the final crown, and make appropriate adjustments prior to cementing it. Your tooth’s crown will then get permanently cemented, which means you can maintain your usual diet without worrying that they might get loose overtime or break the underlying tooth structure that you are trying to protect. 

Dental Cap Repairs 

Depending on the material of your tooth’s crown, we might be able to repair the chip for an extended period of time. Your tooth’s crown will be warranted for 5 years, which means the entire dental cap can be replaced for no additional charge. The dental cap repair might not last as long as the initial material of the crown, however we have white restorative materials, which can mechanically bond with the existing porcelain and last for years. 

Ready to Restore Your Teeth?  

The dentists at Smile Solutions of Maine have over 40 years of experience in restoring smiles. Our friendly, experienced staff will work with you to repair your smile using the very best materials for your tooth’s crown. Schedule your dental cap consultation with one of our conveniently located offices in Winthrop or Waterville, ME to learn more about how we can rebuild your smile. 

Dental Bridges in Winthrop and Waterville

Dental bridges are a great option to restore your smile with a quick and beautiful prosthetic. Our highly-trained and experienced dentists will work with you to create a customized bridge using high quality materials to fix any gaps in your smile. Find out more about how we can repair your smile by contacting us online or calling one of our offices in Waterville at 207-873-2073 or Winthrop 207-377-6958.

When Would Our Dentists Recommend a Bridge?

Dental bridges are one of the most used techniques to replace missing teeth. Most of our bridges are made with a zirconia white metal material, which is extremely strong. They are also very esthetic and long-lasting.

Dental brides are a useful prosthetic when:

1. You lose a tooth between two other teeth and an implant is not an option due to bone loss or periodontal issues
2. An implant cannot be placed or if the sinus membrane is too low and requires sinus lift, a procedure that some patient do not want to go through
3. You do not want a surgical implant placement, you are a smoker or taking certain bone medications which are contraindicated to an implant placement
4. Preventing shifting of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth
5. Helping to equalize the forces with the opposing teeth
6. Protecting your gums from getting trauma due to the chewing opposing teeth
7. Minimizing unusual eruptions of the opposing teeth; Teeth tend to supra-erupt when the opposing teeth are gone

Bridges vs. Implants

It’s ultimately your decision on whether you choose to replace a missing tooth with a bridge or implant will depend on your individual needs. Dental bridges can be a better option if:

1. The adjacent teeth also have large restorations and also require crowns. In this case, not only you can replace the missing tooth but also protect the two other adjacent teeth at the same time.
2. The patient does not have the quality of the bone, height, or width for an implant placement.
3. The patient is a smoker or is taking certain bone medications, can be contraindicated to an implant placement.
4. The patient has time constraints and an implant can take longer for the final delivery.
5. The patient does not want to go through a surgical approach or is immunocompromised.
6. If there is slight mobility to the adjacent teeth, the bridge will help stabilize those teeth and maintain them long term by distributing the forces more evenly.
7. A bridge can be temporized immediately and patients can go on trips without dealing with a missing tooth or removal partial. It’s temporarily cemented and does not require removal during bed time like a flipper or partial.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

As a prosthetic option for replacing missing teeth, dental bridges provide you with a wide range of advantages including:

1. Not requiring a surgical approach like implants do
2. The waiting period is a lot shorter compared to an implant
3. They can protect the adjacent teeth from shifting and closing the space of the missing tooth
4. A very natural look
5. Helping with the function and stabilization of the rest of the dentition
6. Being very strong
7. Lasting for many years

Our Dental Bridge Services in Waterville and Winthrop, ME

Our dental bridge procedures are completed in two stages. Your first appointment will include a consultation, preparation, temporization, and the taking of the final impression. In our practice, to ensure a perfect result, we make sure that the gums are healthy prior to starting a bridge case, we also use very accurate impression materials to capture perfectly the margins around each tooth.

The second appointment is much quicker and includes placing the finished prosthetic, making any necessary adjustments to ensure that everything is comfortable, and a radiograph. The final radiograph is used to ensure a perfect marginal seal during this cementation appointment. Only then will we cement the bridge. Our cements are designed to be durable and protect your teeth against cavities. Our assistants will also spend a good portion of this final appointment going over brushing techniques and steps you will need to take in order to maintain your bridge.

We Make Sure Our Patients Stay Comfortable

Our goal is to make our dental bridge procedures as pain free and comfortable as possible for our patients. We won’t start any dental procedure unless our painless computerized dental anesthetic has properly numbed the surrounding area. We also make sure our patients are able to take plenty of breaks during the procedure.

Only the Best for Our Patients!

At Smile Solutions of Maine, we do everything we can to ensure our patients receive the best bridges possible. This even includes our temporary bridges where we temporize them, so our patients can remain comfortable while waiting for their permanent cementation. Our bridges are made within the United States by very reputable technicians using only the best materials. The average life span of one of our bridges is between 25-30 years. Because of this, we guarantee our work for years, creating peace of mind for all our patients.

Dental Bridge Replacements

If your dental bridge is damaged our team can try to repaired it or, if need be, replace it. If the bridge becomes weakened and damaged, or if the surrounding teeth that anchor the bridge begin to decay, our dentists will most likely recommend a dental bridge replacement. Our dentists will evaluate the existing bridge and create a personalized plan for fixing or replacing it. If you begin experience issues with your tooth’s existing bridge, please contact one of our offices in Maine as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. The earlier we can catch a problem, the less likely you will require a dental bridge replacement.

Ready to Fix the Gap in Your Smile?

The dentists at Smile Solutions of Maine have over four decades of experience in providing beautiful, long-lasting dental bridges. Schedule your appointment by contacting us online or calling one of our offices in Winthrop or Waterville to fix your smile today!

Why are Regular Teeth Cleanings and Dental Exams Necessary?

Our offices in Winthrop and Waterville, ME takes dental exams & cleanings very seriously. These checkups help our dentists to protect the longevity of your smile. Your dental exam provides our dentists with an opportunity to identify any early potential issues with your oral health, making them easier to fix. Teeth cleanings also allow us to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which at-home solutions cannot remove. This buildup, if left untreated, can cause your teeth to decay and create serious dental problems.

Dental cleanings also help to ensure a healthy bone and gum substructure. Unhealthy red gums (gingivitis) or more severe gum issues with bone loss (periodontal disease) will eventually lead to gum recession, which in turn will expose the margins of crowns or even the root structure of teeth. These problems with your gums can cause issues, such as:

• Increased Sensitivity
• Higher Risk for Cavities
• Tooth Loss

You can have a lovely smile, but if your gums are red, inflamed or bleeding, that will take away from the natural beauty of your teeth. During your teeth cleaning, our dentists use specialized tools to remove plaque and tarter buildup under your gums that at-home dental care solutions cannot remove. This in turn helps to keep your gums healthy.

Smile Solutions of Maine, a Whole-Health Dental Practice

Smile Solution of Maine believes in a whole-health approach to dentistry. During dental exams, we don’t just look at the health of teeth, gums and general aesthetics, but at the overall health of your mouth. Oral health can be connected to chronic disease. So, we review our patients’ health histories and help them with possible issues to which they may be predisposed, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. We then offer advice on how dental intervention can improve these conditions.

Your Dental Exam Comes First

At Smile Solutions of Maine, your dental exam is everything. We purposely don’t preschedule patients for a cleaning prior to their complete examination. We allow your dental exam to dictate how to treat and maintain your smile. In certain cases, if you visited our office for an exam and had a painful tooth, we would take care of your pain first and reschedule the complete exam.  Our philosophy is not to have a patient leave our office without getting them out of pain or referred to the appropriate specialist.

During your initial dental exam, our goal is to meet you and find out what your needs are. The initial exam takes about an hour and features a full mouth series of radiographs to diagnose if there are any infections or cavities. We will also work to diagnose the health of the underlying bone which supports each tooth. Most of our patients are impressed by how thorough and painless our complete exams are. We understand that the initial visit can be stressful for some patients; however, we treat patients like we would treat our own family. Our goal is to educate you, take pictures with our intra-oral camera, and create a personalized treatment plan that includes different, economical options that suit your individual situation.

Teeth Cleaning Services in Waterville and Winthrop, ME

After your initial dental exam with our expertly-trained hygienists, we will schedule you for a teeth cleaning. Some patients will need regular dental cleanings every 6 months, and others every 3-4 months. This will all depend on the health of your gums, whether bone loss is a problem, whether there is recession of your gums, and on the mobility of your teeth. During your teeth cleaning, our hygienists and dentists will clean your teeth using specialized dental tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup. We will also professionally floss in-between and around your teeth to help keep your gums healthy.

Will Teeth Cleanings Make Your Teeth Whiter?

Dental cleaning won’t directly make teeth whiter, but they can remove stains caused by things like coffee, wine, cigarette, and tea with a soft polisher towards the end of your teeth cleaning. This can create the appearance of whiter teeth. Our hygienists will take the time to discuss ways to maintain stain-free surfaces on your teeth in-between your teeth cleaning sessions.

Biomimetic Dentistry is the Way of the Future

At Smile Solutions of Maine, our dentists practice biomimetic dentistry. What this means is Bio: Life-Like and Mimetic: copy. This approach is a form of restoring chipped and broken teeth to their original look and shape. The idea is to copy nature as perfectly as possible by layering our composite material and incorporating our tints, and opaques in order to create opacity where it’s necessary or translucency. Teeth are never monochromatic but rather have character that is unique for each patient.

Ready to Keep Your Teeth Pristine?

With over 40 years of experience in providing dental exams and teeth cleanings, you can rest easy knowing your smile is in our care. Our team of dental professionals will take the time to provide you with a customized plan to keep your smile healthy and defend its longevity. Contact one of our two conveniently located offices in Waterville and Winthrop, ME to learn more about how we can help your smile continue to be one of your best features.

Why is Children’s Dental Care Important?

No matter how many teeth have erupted, children should start seeing one of our board-certified pediatric dentists in Waterville or Winthrop by the age of one. Regular dental check-ups, dental sealants, and treating oral health issues early are key to your child’s long-term health. Strong dental care for kids can help improve their:

• Chewing and Eating
• Speech Development
• Appearance
• Overall health

Chewing easily, speaking clearly, and smiling confidently mean a happier, healthier child.

We recommend bringing your child in for a check-up with one of our children’s dentists as early as possible. Our pediatric dentist will not only make sure that their baby teeth are developing properly and check for cavities, but also get them comfortable and excited about visiting our children’s dentist and hygienist. If you wait until your child is older to visit a children’s dentist, then they are more likely to have anxiety about their visits. This anxiety can fester later in life to the point where they could potentially skip visits to the dentist altogether. Easing your child’s anxiety is one of our top priorities during each of their visits, so they feel comfortable with visiting one of our dentists at least twice a year later in their lives.

Our Children’s Dental Services

At Smile Solutions Dentistry, we provide expert children’s dental care to kids as young as one all the way up to teenagers. We first introduce our new pediatric patients to our hygienist. They will go over your child’s health history and perform a thorough cleaning. Our hygienists will then take the time with your child to communicate in kid-friendly terms ways to eliminate plaque and the proper way of brushing and maintaining good oral hygiene habits.

At the end of the cleaning, our pediatric dentist will check each tooth for caries, malocclusion, wear pattern, exfoliation of baby teeth and finalize the treatment.  Our children’s dental office also offers a wide variety of additional preventative and restorative treatments, which are usually partially or fully covered by your dental insurance, including:

• Emergency Dental Care
• Cavity Treatments
• Fluoride Treatments
• X-Rays
• Dental extractions
• Gum Disease Treatments
• Dental Sealants

Treating Cavities is Simple with Smile Solutions of Maine

The most common children’s dental service we provide is cavity treatments. Our dental practice understands how time consuming it can be for the parent and child when multiple cavities are found either because the child has had a bad experience or does not want to go back to the dentist. Our goal is to prevent cavities, which if left untreated, can cause infection and sleepless nights.

For most pediatric patients, if a cavity is found at an early stage, it can be treated without the need of anesthetic or even a filling.  Our children’s dental professionals use a technique called the “SDF” approach or Silver Diamine Fluoride. SDF is a safe antibiotic, which arrests caries and can be applied directly into the cavity. SDF contains a high, but safe fluoride concentration, which inhibits harmful microbe growth in plaque that causes tooth decay. This approach has allowed our pediatric dentists to treat cavities more effectively without giving your child a negative experience.

What Makes Us the Best Pediatric Dentist in Maine

Smile Solutions of Maine creates a fun and positive experience for our young patients. We want every child’s experience with our pediatric dentists to be fun and comfortable. Let children’s dentist introduce your children to the wonderful world of pediatric dentistry! We love seeing children smile… and children enjoy spending time in our friendly and caring environment!

Ready to Keep Your Child Smiling?

Smile Solutions of Maine has over 40 years of experience in providing the best children’s dental services to the communities around Waterville and Winthrop. We know how important your children’s oral care and smiles are, so we have invested in cutting-edge technologies and studied the latest techniques to provide exceptional children’s dental care. Through our positive reinforcement and fun, gentle, and caring approach, your child will develop the right habits for a long-lasting, healthy smile. Discover what has made us the best children’s dental professionals in Maine by contacting us online or calling our offices in Waterville (207-837-2073) or Winthrop (207-377-6958) today!

Porcelain Veneers

Dazzle Everyone You Meet with a Truly Stunning Smile

Dental veneers are a fantastic option for people that want a minimally invasive, long-lasting solution to their cosmetic dental problems. You’ll be amazed at how drastically this cosmetic dentistry solution can transform your smile. Call one of Smile Solutions of Maine’s offices in Winthrop or Waterville Maine or contact us online to schedule your consultation today!

Here’s the Basics

Dental Veneers are custom-made, ultra-thin, porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. They are durable and can be made to match the existing color of your teeth, or they can be made a whiter, brighter shade than your natural teeth. Veneers are a great way to correct crooked, cracked, discolored, and misshapen teeth for a vastly improved smile. Our dentists at our offices in Waterville and Winthrop, ME make sure that they match the rest of your teeth character, shape, and shade.

Our dentists will recommend veneers to:

1. Minimally correct the size of a tooth or lengthen worn teeth
2. Fix minimal wear on your teeth
3. Repair enamel discrepancies which causes dark teeth or tetracycline staining
4. Close spaces between teeth which at times requires very minimal roughening of the tooth surface
5. Help balance forces on teeth by putting back what has been lost due to wear

Are Veneers Permanent?

Once veneers get bonded to the natural tooth structure they become permanent. Dental veneers get bonded to enamel, which means their bond is even stronger to regular full coverage crowns. The only way to remove them is to actually cut them off with a high-speed hand-piece.

Will Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?

Just the opposite actually; veneers are designed to protect your teeth. Our dentist place veneers to replace the natural tooth structure that you have lost and protect the remaining enamel. They are very conservative and require very minimal removal of tooth structure. For instance, a crown preparation requires about 1.5mm to 2mm of tooth structure removal, where as a veneer only requires 0.3mm to 0.6mm.

You’ll be Amazed at the Benefits that Veneers Offer

Veneers are an amazing cosmetic option to strengthen and enhance your smile. The major advantages of veneers are that they:

• Require very conservative removal of your tooth’s structure
• Are very esthetic
• Are long lasting
• Don’t stain
• Require no metal substructure underneath.
• Are bonded which means they strengthen and protect teeth from cracking.
• Are very natural
• Do not create sensitivity issues because they do not involve the dentin but only get bonded to enamel

Interested in finding out more? Chat with one of our dentists about it today!

Our Process for Crafting Personalized Veneers for Your Smile

Each case is unique and teeth are sculptured to match our patient’s personality and facial characteristics. We offer a variety of different types of porcelain veneers depending on the actual location in the mouth, characterization that we are trying to create, and thickness of the material. However, our most common and esthetic option is feldspathic veneers. Our dentists will work with you to find the right type that will strength and enhance your smile.

Typically, the dentists at our Waterville and Winthrop offices will follow this process when applying dental veneers to your smile.

1. Creating the Molds

Initially, we’ll take preliminary impressions of the upper and lower arch, along with multiple pictures. We will then spend a time preparing and waxing the length of the tooth for the veneers.

2. Making Sure We Get the Look Just Right

During your second visit, we use a temporary material that goes over your teeth to give you an idea of how your veneers will look. One of the advantages of choosing Smile Solutions of Maine is that we can show our patients exactly what the final esthetic result will look like with a mock up approach without removing any tooth structure. We will take multiple pictures and discuss any concerns you might have and adjust our models accordingly. Once you approve and are happy with the result, only then will we proceed to the actual procedure. You’ll have full control of this appointment and it is one of the most rewarding experiences for us and our patients. If you need more time to evaluate your veneers, we can email you your pictures and mockups discuss the esthetics with their family or friends prior to moving forward with the final procedure.

Creating and Applying Your Final Veneers

Once you have approved the look of your veneers, our extremely talented technicians will begin work on creating your beautiful porcelain veneers. Our lab technicians will craft a natural result that will look just like your natural teeth. Once the veneers are ready, our dentists will attach them to your tooth’s enamel.

Veneers Really Are Worth It

Dental veneers are one of the best cosmetic procedures we offer.

1. They preserve the natural tooth structure and require very minimal preparation.
2. They are very natural so most people will admire your teeth without knowing that it’s a veneer.
3. They help stabilize forces in your mouth by adding material where wear is evident.
4. They get bonded vs cemented like full coverage crowns. This means that their bond is stronger than crowns and it is extremely rare that they will become loose.
5. Will give extra strength to thinner teeth and protect them from breaking or chipping.

Ready to Discover How Veneers Can Perfect Your Smile?

Smile Solutions of Maine has over four decades of experience in helping patient’s achieve Hollywood level smiles. Contact our offices in Waterville and Winthrop and let’s start your journey towards a more beautiful smile!

Smile Solutions of Maine is the Best

At Smile Solutions of Maine, our cosmetic dentists take the time to discover what makes your smile unique and how we can help improve it. We utilize the latest techniques and cutting-edge technology to provide you with the best professional teeth whitening treatment in Maine. Our dentists will also take the time to educate you on how to help ensure your teeth stay whiter after the teeth bleaching is complete.

Customized Teeth Whitening Trays

Our most popular dental whitening solution is the at-home tray. During your professional teeth whitening appointment, our cosmetic dentist will record the initial shade of your teeth first. We will then continue with impressions to create thin, custom trays that fit over your teeth. These plastic trays are a one set fee, and you can store them in a plastic container that our office will provide for any future applications.

Small quantities of whitening gel are then placed within the tray. The whitening gel comes in plastic tubes of varying strengths. They can last a long time. These teeth bleaching gels can also be applied with at strengths, depending on your sensitivity level.  The advantage of these customized trays is that you can store them and use them again at a later time, like before a wedding or school pictures.

After your initial visit, we will schedule appointments at two-week intervals to check the progress of your teeth bleaching and increase the strength as needed.

Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?

Teeth bleaching does not hurt the enamel of the teeth. However, some patients have sensitive teeth, and whitening at higher strengths can intensify sensitivity. For this reason, we start with the lowest strength of whitening gel for short periods of time to ensure our patients are comfortable. This is a safe technique, and we can always increase the whitening strength depending on your comfort level.

How long will your teeth whitening last?

How long your professional teeth whiting lasts will depend on a variety of factors. Are you a smoker? Do you drink red wine, tea, or coffee every day? Do you have a dry mouth? Your dental whitening will not last forever, which is why we create custom trays that you can use as you wish. Some patients will have results that last for a few weeks to months at a time depending on their diet and how meticulous they are in brushing and flossing regularly.

Our Ultimate Aesthetics Teeth Whitening Option

Our cosmetic dentist can also provide you with our “Renamel Composite Technique” option. Some patients cannot achieve the ultimate white smile they desire unless we do direct composite veneers. These ultimate aesthetics are not only reliable, but can strengthen your teeth at the same time. Our professional teeth whitening procedure requires very minimal tooth preparation and, we usually only need to roughen the enamel prior to adding this composite material. These are very different than the porcelain veneers you might be used to receiving.

We usually recommend the teeth whitening process to patients who already have worn or chipped teeth and would like to restore the tooth structure that has deteriorated over the years. It’s very different than a crown preparation and preserves the natural tooth structure. This technique requires time, skill, and passion. Our cosmetic dentists are very happy to go over this option with you in more detail during your initial consultation appointment.

Ready to Brighten Your Smile?

Smile Solutions of Maine has over 40 years of experience in providing professional teeth whitening solutions that can drastically brighten your teeth. You deserve a more natural-looking, whiter smile. Schedule your dental whitening consultation with one of our conveniently located offices in Winthrop or Waterville, ME to learn more about how we can enhance your smile.

TMJ Treatment in Waterville and Winthrop, ME 

Functional and Esthetic Solutions to Your TMD Pain 

Jaw pain, problems chewing, misaligned teeth, and toothaches are all common TMD symptoms and signs that you should schedule a visit with our dentists. If left untreated, your teeth and jaw could deteriorate and lead to more serious problems. At Smile Solutions of Maine, our TMJ dentists are extensively trained and provide long-term results. Our thorough exams will find the source of discomfort and then we’ll create a targeted TMJ treatment plan customized to your unique situation. Call our offices in Waterville (207 873-2073) or Winthrop (207 377-6958) or contact us online to set up your consultation today! 

What is TMJ / TMD 

A Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It allows for the opening and closing of the mouth. This is the most used joint in the entire body, and it affects your teeth and gums, and your ability to talk, chew, and swallow. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) occurs when the lower jaw is not in the proper position relative to the upper jaw.  

What Causes Temporomandibular Disorder: 

TMD can be caused by a variety of factors including:  

1. Moderate wear of posterior teeth
2. Clenching and grinding of the teeth 
3. Non-stable contacts between the upper and lower teeth 
4. Placing final restorations without proper planning can start a TMD issue even if the joint was stable before 
5. Sport and car accidents 
6. Genetic causes 
7. Anterior open bite 

The Risks of Leaving TMD / TMJ Problems Untreated 

If you ignore TMD and prolong your TMJ treatments, your symptoms may start to worsen and you could experience:   

1. Increased teeth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures  
2. Multiple visible cracks which can cause the tooth to split in half 
3. Existing restorations including crowns, esthetic work, white and silver restorations, implant crowns and bridges will wear or even shows signs of porcelain fracture 
4. Recession of the gum will become evident between the tooth and tissue 
5. Teeth will eventually become loose due to the bone loss 
6. Periodontal issues will continue to worsen over time due to the attachment and bone loss 
7. Migration of teeth out of position, and spaces between teeth 
8. Unpredictable outcomes upon delivery of our permanent restorations 
9. Degenerative issues of the disk when opening and closing our jaw and locking of the jaw 

Say Goodbye to TMD 

During the early stages, over 90% of TMD pain and dysfunction problems can be solved. TMD can be caused by a variety of factors and the earlier we are able to start your TMJ treatments, the more predictably it can be corrected. Ultimately, there is no guaranteed time frame for when a patient will feel relief after they start their TMD treatment, but many times, depending on at what stage someone is in, we can alleviate their symptoms.  

Our TMJ Treatments in Waterville and Winthrop  

In our practice every dental exam includes careful examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Only then can we create a predictable plan for our patient’s needs. The most important stage is to recognize what system of the TMJ needs treatment. Is it the disc within the joint that needs to be repaired, the muscles, or the teeth? All these components need to be in harmony and there are ways we can check this. It is also extremely important not to continue with permanent restorations such as crowns, bridges, implant crowns, or esthetic work unless the joint is repaired and stable first. 

If symptoms arise, we have the ability to reverse them if caught at an early stage. The best TMJ treatment is to maintain proper and balanced forces on each tooth. Balancing how each tooth comes in contact with the opposing teeth can prevent the rise of symptoms such as clicking, locking of the jaws and degenerative issues that can become irreversible. Our TMD treatments include splint therapy to help the joint recover after trauma such as a car accident, and sport accidents, equilibration of the teeth so they hit in a balanced manner, building up the worn teeth, and custom-made night guards.  

Custom made mouth guards for TMJ can relieve symptoms immediately if the issue is muscular. Sometime patients will require specialized night guards to be adjusted frequently in order to create a “peaceful neuromuscular system.”  

Our TMJ Dentists Are Extensively Trained  

Our doctors have completed the Dawson Academy curriculum which takes a few years to complete. During this program, some of the points covered include treating TMJ symptoms, clicking of the joint and headaches, uneven forces on teeth which can be the causes of temperature sensitivity, visible cracks and moderate wear of the enamel. 

Ready to Alleviate Your Discomfort?  

Smile Solutions of Maine has over 40 years of experience in creating specially targeted TMJ treatment plans that are functional and esthetic. Our TMJ dentists are here to help using cutting-edge technologies and the latest TMD treatment techniques. Contact one of our two conveniently located offices in Waterville and Winthrop, ME to start treating your discomfort and pain.