Do You Need a Night Guard?

During the day, a person who is concentrating on a task will often place his teeth together and apply force through a contraction of the jaw muscles. This is commonly associated with the daytime tasks of lifting heavy objects, driving, reading and writing. During sleep, it presents as clenching and rhythmic contractions. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache or tooth pain, you may want to ask Dr. Cynthia Wong if you are suffering from a condition called sleep bruxism.

Bruxism can erode enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to tooth sensitivity. The best way to protect your teeth and prevent tooth wear and fracture is to wear an occlusal appliance, such as a night guard. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics we can provide you with a custom night guard. Wearing a custom night guard provides a tough protective layer between your teeth which prevents destruction of your irreplaceable tooth enamel which also cushioning your jaws to ease daily muscle pain.

If you are waking up every morning with pain around the cheeks, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

What is TMJ/TMD Syndrome?

 

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. This joint allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to a variety of conditions that affect TM joints, jaw muscles and facial nerves. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Dr. Cynthia Wong can help diagnose you and provide relief for your symptoms.

The main symptom of a TMJ disorder is pain in the jaw joint. Although the causes of TMJ syndrome are not completely understood, the causes may include: misalignment or trauma to the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, stress or anxiety, excessive gum chewing, or arthritis and other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving.

If you are waking up with jaw pain, or experience clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341. 

Invisalign Braces in Orland Park, IL

If you want clear, comfortable, removable aligners instead of braces and wires-Invisalign is a great choice. Using a custom-made series of aligners for you and only you, Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, let us help you straighten your teeth the invisible way.

With Invisalign, the aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they are also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like. With Invisalign, there are no metal brackets and no wires to tighten, because Invisalign is made up of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic aligner trays that you wear over your teeth. Here at the office, Dr. Cynthia Wong will take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a 3-D image of them.  From these images, Dr. Wong will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth, and tell you the approximate length of treatment.

If you are searching to straighten your teeth, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.