Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatments

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that disrupts your rest and overall health. While CPAP machines are commonly associated with sleep apnea treatment, they aren’t the only solution available. At Dr. Nancy Hartrick’s office, we offer alternative treatments to help you manage sleep apnea in a way that suits your lifestyle and comfort.

Expert Care for Sleep Apnea at Dr. Nancy Hartrick’s Office

With over a decade of experience in treating sleep disorders, Dr. Nancy Hartrick brings her expertise and knowledge to sleep apnea care. A recognized professional by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Dr. Hartrick takes a personalized and comprehensive approach to treating sleep apnea. We don’t just treat symptoms; we delve into the root causes of the condition to offer tailored treatment options.

Our office is equipped with state-of-the-art dental sleep technology, enabling us to provide non-invasive, effective treatments. Our team is dedicated to making sure that each patient receives the best possible care and support throughout their treatment journey.

At-Home Positional Therapy Guidance

For patients with positional sleep apnea, which worsens in specific sleeping positions, Dr. Hartrick provides guidance on managing symptoms through positional therapy.

While we don’t offer positional therapy devices, we can provide valuable advice on implementing this method effectively at home:

Understanding Positional Therapy: We educate patients on techniques to avoid sleeping on their backs, a position that can aggravate symptoms.
Personalized Tips: We recommend ways to encourage side-sleeping, such as using supportive pillows or sleepwear.
Success Framework: Our team shares proven strategies that have helped many patients improve their sleep quality through positional therapy.

Supporting Weight Management

Weight plays a crucial role in the severity of sleep apnea. While Dr. Hartrick doesn’t offer a formal weight management program, we do provide advice on managing your weight effectively at home.

Here’s how we help:

Initial Assessment: We guide you in understanding how your weight may contribute to your sleep apnea.
Goal Setting: We assist you in setting practical weight loss goals to help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.

By following our guidance and adopting healthy lifestyle changes, many patients have successfully improved their sleep apnea symptoms and overall health.

Lifestyle Adjustments for Better Sleep

Managing sleep apnea often requires making changes beyond just dental treatments. At Dr. Nancy Hartrick’s office, we offer guidance on simple lifestyle adjustments that can improve your symptoms:

Smoking: Smoking can worsen sleep apnea by causing inflammation and fluid retention in the airway. We connect patients with local resources to help them quit smoking.
Alcohol: Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles and can exacerbate sleep apnea. We provide tips for moderating alcohol consumption, particularly before bed.
Allergen Management: To reduce symptoms, we recommend improving air quality in your bedroom by using air purifiers and hypoallergenic bedding.
Sleep Routine: Establishing a consistent sleep schedule can improve overall sleep quality. We offer strategies to help patients stick to a regular bedtime routine.

Custom-Fitted Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Dr. Hartrick specializes in providing custom-fitted dental appliances that serve as an effective alternative to CPAP machines.

These appliances help keep the airway open during sleep, offering a comfortable and personalized solution for sleep apnea:

Tailored Fit: Each appliance is custom-fitted to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Personalized Adjustments: The appliance is adjusted to meet the specific needs of your diagnosis, optimizing relief from sleep apnea symptoms.

Home Care for Your Dental Appliance:
To ensure your dental appliance continues to function well, we provide clear instructions on how to clean it daily, store it properly, and maintain it to maximize its lifespan.

Routine Checks: We educate you on how to inspect your appliance for wear and tear and when to seek professional adjustments.
Scheduled Follow-Ups: Regular visits are scheduled to ensure your appliance remains comfortable and effective.

With custom-fitted dental appliances, our patients find a more comfortable, less intrusive option for managing sleep apnea.

Streamlined At-Home Sleep Apnea Monitoring

At Dr. Nancy Hartrick’s office, we offer an advanced at-home sleep monitoring service to enhance the treatment process. Using BRAEBON™ biosensors, this convenient service allows you to record vital sleep data right from your bed.

Once we assess your sleep data, we can recommend treatments such as a custom-fitted dental appliance to improve your nighttime breathing. This quick turnaround allows us to begin your treatment plan in just a few days.

Over-the-Counter Sleep Apnea Devices

While Dr. Hartrick specializes in custom solutions, we also inform our patients about over-the-counter (OTC) devices. OTC options such as anti-snore pillows and nasal strips may offer temporary relief for mild sleep apnea, but they are not typically effective for moderate or severe cases. Always consult with Dr. Hartrick before relying on OTC devices as your primary treatment.

Your Path to Better Sleep Starts Here

Adhering to a personalized treatment plan is key to overcoming sleep apnea. At Dr. Nancy Hartrick’s office, we are committed to guiding you toward better sleep and improved overall well-being.

Take the first step toward better sleep today. Call (248) 712-1149 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll find the right solution to help you achieve restful nights and healthier days.

Posted in Sleep Apnea

How Dental Implants Can Benefit your Other Teeth

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Have you lost any of your permanent teeth? If so, you’re not alone… far from it, in fact! According to data compiled by the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 120 million individuals in America have lost at least one permanent tooth. When it comes to replacing lost teeth, dental implants are the superior choice. A well-maintained implant can last the rest of your life, and no other tooth replacement option looks and feels more like a real tooth. But did you know that implants also can benefit your other teeth? Learn more in the latest installment of the blog.

A dental implant is the only self-supporting tooth replacement

Receiving a dental bridge to replace missing teeth relies on your other natural teeth to provide some form of support. In a bridge procedure, a crown usually is placed on the neighboring tooth on either side to help distribute the biting and chewing forces and make sure the bridge does not experience a failure. An implant, however, supports itself because the titanium implant screw is inserted directly into your jawbone. This implant provides stability and all the support needed to withstand biting and chewing forces, without increasing the burden on any of your other natural teeth.

Implants prevent the deterioration of your jawbone

Arguably the greatest advantage of receiving a dental implant in Knoxville to replace a lost tooth is that it is the only way to safeguard against the deterioration of your supporting bone structure. Otherwise, this is inevitable even with diligent oral hygiene. Your jawbone receives constant stimulation from the tooth root. Without that stimulation, the body begins a process known as resorption and your jawbone will start to weaken. This can affect the strength and stability of the adjacent teeth, making them vulnerable to being lost as well. A dental implant replaces the tooth root itself and provides that otherwise irreplaceable stimulation to the jawbone.

Implants help you maintain your dental hygiene

All you need to clean a dental implant is your toothbrush and floss. Because an implant is fixed in the mouth, you clean it by brushing it just like a real tooth. Any type of removable denture, however, can become a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria and plaque against your natural teeth—even if the denture itself is cleaned on a regular basis—because food can trap in the clasps that support the denture. You always can remove the denture before you eat, but then you lose that chewing ability and with it one of the main reasons that people replace lost teeth in the first place.

Replace lost teeth with dental implants in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

In the unfortunate event that you lose a permanent tooth, having a dental implant can help to protect the other teeth in your mouth from problems. If you want to learn more about the benefits of a dental implant to replace your lost teeth, Dr. Nancy Hartrick can help you. Just call our office at (865) 269-6688 to schedule your consultation.

Posted in Dental Implants

Is It Time to Replace My Old Fillings?

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Even if you’re diligent about your brushing, flossing and dental appointments, you’re likely to get a cavity at some point in your life. Most likely, that cavity is going to be treated with a filling. For decades, getting a filling meant the installation of a restoration made of dental amalgam. These fillings have the potential to crack or fail, which could mean a trip to the emergency dentist near you. But wouldn’t it be nice to know when a filling is compromised, before you need to rush to the dentist? Today on the blog, we review some of the signs that a filling needs to be replaced.

Look for these warning signs that your filling may be cracked:

Feeling a sharp pain when you bite down
A recurring pain from the same tooth
Heightened sensitivity to hot and cold foods
Feeling as if something is stuck in your teeth, even after you brush and floss

Many times, a filling can become cracked even if there is no visible sign of a problem. In fact, by the time you notice the crack, your tooth may have sustained significant additional damage, from the combined bite pressure of your teeth. If you notice a cracked tooth or cracked filling, you should make an appointment with your Royal Oak dentist as soon as possible.

Why do fillings fail?

When your dentist places a filling, they bond the restoration against the remaining healthy tooth structure. This bond might deteriorate as time passes, affecting the stability of the filling or allowing bacteria to accumulate underneath the restoration, leading to more decay and the potential failure of the filling. If you’ve had a filling for a long time, even if it is cracked or starting to wear down, you may not notice any difference or discomfort right away. This underscores the importance of regular check-ups every six months; at each of these visits, your dentist will review the stability and structure of any restorations in your mouth, including fillings.

What happens if I wait too long to have a filling replaced?

In the event that more decay has developed under and around a filling, you may need a larger restoration like a dental crown. This entails replacing the entire exterior of the tooth, protecting the sensitive interior structure that includes the tooth root and dental nerve. In most cases, however, Dr. Hartrick can replace your older or compromised filling with a tooth-colored filling. These restorations could be made of a composite material or dental ceramic, with the latter typically reserved for filling large cavities. These restorations are more stable, blend seamlessly with your other natural teeth and are less likely to experience breakage or failure.

Is it time to replace my filling?

There’s no set answer to this question. The ultimate decision will be made with you, but you won’t even have the information to make the decision until you see your dentist. Any time you’re experiencing problems with an existing filling, you owe it to yourself to make an appointment with your dentist. Dr. Nancy Hartrick can examine your older dental work, take X-rays if needed and make a recommendation about whether or not your filling should be replaced.

Tooth-colored fillings in Royal Oak, MI

We hope you never have a damaged or cracked filling, but if you do, Dr. Hartrick and her team of oral health professionals at Hartrick Dentistry can help. We also offer emergency services as needed. To find out more about your treatment options, schedule a consultation by calling (248) 549-0950.

Posted in General Dentistry

How Mouth Breathing can Compromise your Health

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Admin Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Do you have trouble focusing? Are you often forgetting even simple things? These are symptoms of brain fog. In the past this condition has been associated with depression or stress. Cancer patients have experienced it as a side effect of treatment, and it’s even been linked as a consequence of COVID-19. You may not realize that, depending on the cause of brain fog, your dentist can help treat this problem. Find out how, today on the blog.

Brain fog can stem from obstructive sleep apnea

Foggy thinking and diminished cognitive function are both possible consequences of untreated sleep apnea. You may experience memory problems, have difficulty concentrating or are experiencing poor performance at work or school. If this sounds like something that you or a loved one is living with, then your mind is not functioning as it should—and poor sleep could be the real culprit.

How does sleep affect the brain?

Getting quality sleep is crucial to the overall performance of the body as well as the mind. When you sleep, your brain can perform certain functions that it can’t manage while you are awake. This includes the creation of new brain cells, and essentially cleaning itself using the glymphatic system—which eliminates excess proteins and metabolites from the central nervous system. One of the proteins eliminated by the glymphatic system is amyloid beta, which has been linked to degenerative neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Sleep is also crucial to the function of the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain controls decision making and cognitive function, and during sleep it solidifies memories and retains any new information you learned that day.

Sleep apnea destroys the quality of your sleep

Good sleep is about quality more so than quantity. It’s better to get six hours of deep, restful sleep than seven or more hours of fitful sleep. Sleep apnea makes it basically impossible for someone to get the quality sleep they need and be at their best. For someone with obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes impeded or totally blocked during sleep. These blockages may occur hundreds of times each night. Every time this happens, your brain becomes aware you are not getting enough oxygen and goes into crisis mode—bringing you out of the sleep cycle and sending chemical signals that trigger a stress response in the body to resume normal breathing. Often, someone with sleep apnea never wakes up consciously, but the constant series of alerts throughout the night, every single night, ruins your ability to get quality sleep. This is because someone with sleep apnea does not spend enough time in the deepest stage of the sleep cycle, which is the most crucial from a recuperative standpoint.

Long-term, the effects of sleep deprivation can have a devastating impact on your mental health.

The potential brain-related issues linked to living with sleep loss include:

Alzheimer’s
Brain damage
Learning disabilities
PTSD
Anxiety

Depression

Offering non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea

If sleep apnea is causing your brain fog, Dr. Nancy Hartrick and the team at Hartrick Dentistry are here to help. Although an official diagnosis of sleep apnea only can be made by a qualified sleep specialist, Dr. Cook can treat your sleep apnea through the use of customized oral appliances. This oral appliance is worn as a night guard, bringing the lower jaw forward and serving to maintain an open airway throughout the night – thus preventing the airway blockages that cause apneic events. Let Hartrick Dentistry help you get the deep, restful sleep you deserve. To schedule an appointment, please call (248) 549-0950.

Posted in Sleep Apnea

No Answers for your Chronic Headaches? Royal Oak Dentist may have a Solution

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Headaches are common and can strike people of all ages and health status. Sometimes, headaches are due to stress, dehydration, hunger, or even lack of sleep. While occasional headaches typically are not cause for concern and can be managed with an approved over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, recurring or chronic headaches could point to a bigger health issue. Unfortunately, pinpointing the cause of chronic headaches can seem like a wild goose chase for both you and your physician. Dr. Nancy Hartrick, a Royal Oak dentist that treats temporomandibular joint disorder may have a solution for chronic headache sufferers.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder refers to jaw joint dysfunction. This may occur from having a bad bite, missing teeth, joint arthritis, clenching and grinding your teeth, or trauma to the face. When TMJ disorder develops, inflammation and reduced blood flow to the affected area soon follow suit. As the surrounding muscles become strained and inflammation presses on the nerves, pain can be sent to the teeth, face, head, and neck. Specifically, headaches are likely to occur.

How is TMJ disorder related to chronic headaches?

A major nerve known as the trigeminal nerve connects from the spinal cord and wraps around to the sides of the brain to send nerve sensations and help provide neurofeedback from the jaw to the brain. Since this nerve runs around the jaw joints, inflammation and blood restriction from temporomandibular joint disorder can cause frequent headaches. Therefore, if you experience frequent headaches that are hard to control with OTC medications or if your doctor doesn’t seem to have any answers for you as to the cause of your head pain, consider a TMJ consultation with Dr. Hartrick.

How can the dentist help with chronic headaches?

Dr. Hartrick can screen for TMJ disorder and determine the severity of your jaw joint misalignment. Once the desired occlusion or bite is determined, Dr. Hartrick customizes an oral appliance that can be worn at night and in some cases during the day to reposition the bite for ideal positioning. Wearing a TMJ splint helps by aligning the jaw joints and relieving pressure off the surrounding soft tissues and nerves. As a result, the trigeminal nerve compression may lesson and reduce your headaches if your head pain is directly associated with TMJ disorder. There may also be other techniques like facial massages and adjusting your diet that can help relieve tension in your jaw joints.

Does TMJ disorder require surgery?

Not in all cases. Dr. Hartrick takes a non-surgical approach to treat TMJ disorder. If your newly established occlusion can be better maintained by rebuilding your bite, Dr. Hartrick may recommend replacing missing teeth or repairing broken or damaged teeth so that your occlusion is permanently stabilized. In most cases, however, Dr. Hartrick’s TMJ patients experience a great deal of relief from their customized TMJ splint.

TMJ Splint in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

If you’re tired of dealing with ongoing headaches or think that you may have TMJ disorder, schedule a consultation with Hartrick Dentistry by calling (248) 549-0950.

Posted in TMJ

Could Your Medication Be Causing You to Snore?

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Snoring is common, although that doesn’t mean it is harmless. One of the most significant warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring, which means that your body struggles to breathe while sleeping due to an airway obstruction. Certain health and lifestyle factors can impact your risk of developing sleep apnea. For instance, consuming alcohol or being overweight makes a person more likely to be a snorer. However, did you know that certain medications can also affect your breathing patterns while you sleep? Today on the blog, find out how certain medications could cause snoring and what you can do about it.

What is sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-breathing disorder in which the airway is partially or fully blocked. This means that the body isn’t getting enough oxygen when you breathe. As a result, the brain automatically signals the body to resume breathing again, which disrupts the sleep cycle. Often times, untreated sleep apnea leads to chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, low sex drive, irritability, and depression with snoring being one of (but not always) the primary symptom.

What’s the connection between certain medications and sleep apnea?

Some medications are known to increase one’s susceptibility to develop sleep apnea associated with weight gain.

Below are five medications that could worsen a case of sleep apnea or increase your risk of developing this sleep-breathing disorder.

Antidepressants – Specifically, tricyclic antidepressants are known to stimulate the appetite, leading to greater caloric intake, snacking, or overeating that may result in weight gain. Another type of antidepressant known as SSRIs may impact the sleep cycle by interrupting the REM stage or rapid eye movement that occurs when you’re in the deepest sleep stage.
Depakote – This medication is also known as a valproic acid, which is a mood stabilizer used to treat seizures and bipolar disorders, and in some cases, migraines that could impact one’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Steroids – A common medication that is prescribed for inflammation and other ailments and disorders, steroids may cause weight gain in as many as 70% of users that take the medication long-term. You may recognize this medication by the name prednisone, which is a corticosteroid that is often prescribed to treat disorders or diseases related to inflammation in the body. Since this medication may lead to weight gain, the risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases.
Antihistamines – According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as 100 million Americans suffer from allergies. Most of these sufferers rely on antihistamines like Allegra or Zyrtec to reduce their allergic reactions. Unfortunately, antihistamines may cause weight gain that could increase one’s risk of excess fat around the neck that restricts the airways and causes obstructive sleep apnea.
Insulin – It’s estimated that 8.4 million people take insulin to manage their blood sugar levels related to diabetes. A potential side effect of insulin use is weight gain, especially if you do not follow the dietary protocol set forth by your doctor. If you have diabetes and take insulin, consider scheduling a sleep apnea screening with Dr. Hartrick to rule out a serious sleep-breathing disorder.

Sleep Apnea Screening in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

Sleep apnea has been dubbed the “silent killer” because many of its sufferers are unaware that they snore or have this condition. Additionally, ignoring sleep apnea and not managing it properly increases the risk of comorbidities like an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and even dementia. If you snore or would like to schedule a sleep apnea screening, contact Hartrick Dentistry by calling (248) 549-0950.

Posted in Sleep Apnea

4 Reasons to Talk to your Dentist about Metal-Free Dentistry

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Alloy metals have been used in dentistry for decades as a way to repair teeth from fillings to crowns. Amalgam has long since been used for fillings in back teeth and crowns are often fabricated with porcelain as the outer layer and an alloy metal as the sublayer. But some studies reveal that these metals may not always be the safest choice and certainly not the most aesthetic. In recent years, dentists have begun offering metal-free dentistry which comes with several advantages. Today on our newest blog, explore four reasons to talk to your dentist about metal-free dentistry.

Reason 1) Preserve more tooth structure

Restorative dentistry aims to preserve as much of the tooth’s natural structure as possible. But with metal fillings and crowns, it requires more of the tooth to be removed. However, repairing a tooth using metal-free filling material leaves more of your tooth intact. Additionally, porcelain fused to metal crowns are thicker, unlike all porcelain crown that are thinner, which require more of the tooth to be removed during the prepping process.

Reason 2) Metal-free is a healthier option

Amalgam or silver fillings contain approximately 50% mercury, which has been linked to health risks that could cause neurological and immunological consequences. These risks could be even more serious for children or women that are pregnant. If you have amalgam fillings, a little bit of the metal is released every time your teeth bite together. Instead of metal dental treatments, opt for a healthier alternative by having our Royal Oak dentist, Dr. Nancy Hartrick, replace your old metal fillings with composites for a healthier, safer alternative.

Reason 3) Less risk of causing tooth damage

Old metal fillings can be problematic for teeth because they are prone to leak, split, or cause the remaining portion of the tooth to break. And in some cases, these issues may leave little to no tooth structure left for repairs. If your amalgam fillings cannot be replaced with composites, an all-porcelain crown may be placed over the tooth to protect it against additional damage.

Reason 4) Looks more aesthetic

Metal fillings can often make the tooth look gray or discolored. And the metal edging on a porcelain fused to metal crown can make the gum around the tooth look gray as well. However, metal-free dentistry is matched to the color of your natural tooth structure and won’t affect the color of your gums.

Metal-free dentistry in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

At Hartrick Dentistry, we offer metal-free fillings, crowns, and bridges, and an orthodontic option, Invisalign, that does not require any metal. Whether you need a filling, crown, or orthodontic treatment, you can achieve your smile goals without any metal. Dr. Hartrick is also experienced in safely removing amalgam fillings to reduce your exposure to these metals during the removal process. To learn more about metal-free dentistry or explore your options, contact Hartrick Dentistry by calling (248) 549-0950.

Posted in General Dentistry

Do I have TMJ Disorder?

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Can you identify where your temporomandibular joint is? Here’s a hint; it’s a small, round joint that connects the jaws to the skull. Also known as TMJ disorder or TMD, this ailment is one of the most mysterious in all of medical science. Symptoms can vary widely from person to person, making TMJ disorder one of the most difficult diagnoses to make across the entire spectrum of medical science. A neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Nancy Hartrick is the best qualified medical professional to identify or treat a case of TMJ disorder. In the meantime, today on the blog, check out this guide to determine if you may have TMJ disorder.

The complex challenge posed by TMJ disorder

One of the common symptoms of TMJ disorder is painful headaches that occur on a regular basis. In many cases, these headaches are misidentified by general practitioners of medicine as migraines. Such headaches do not respond well to migraine remedies because they are caused by TMJ disorder.

Symptoms of a case of TMJ disorder can manifest at various points throughout the body. The temporomandibular joint is unique; it is a hinging joint as well as a sliding joint, helping create the circular movement needed to chew food properly and fully. Many symptoms of TMJ disorder deal with the jaws: jaw pain, popping or clicking sounds emanating from the jaws or limited range of motion of the jaws.

Other frequently reported symptoms of TMJ disorder include ear aches or pain that emanates from the face, neck, or even the back and shoulders. Significant pain is perhaps the most frequently reported symptom of the disorder. This is because the temporomandibular joint is located in close proximity to the trigeminal nerve, which transmits more sensory information to the brain than any other neural pathway in the body.

Do I have TMJ disorder? Here is one way to find out…

You can perform a simple test at home to determine if you may suffer from TMJ disorder. First, place a finger over the joint in front of your ear. Next, slightly open your jaw. Open your jaws wider until you feel the joint under your finger begins to move. Does the joint feel tender from the pressure of your finger? Do you hear a grating, clicking, or crackling sound? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then there is probably an issue with your temporomandibular joint and should be evaluated at your earliest convenience by a neuromuscular dentist.

Neuromuscular dentistry in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan

Usually, your general physician does not have the training to identify a case of TMJ disorder, while many dentists may possess the knowledge to identify a case of the disorder but lack the ability to provide treatment. An advanced specialization of dentistry, neuromuscular dentists have completed unique, intensive, and rigorous training that allows them to identify or restore the optimum alignment of your bite and jaw. Once this ideal alignment has been achieved, it removes any source of stress that may be impacting your temporomandibular joint, alleviating TMJ disorder and any of the other symptoms it may be causing.

Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer services in neuromuscular dentistry to her patients in Royal Oak, Birmingham and the surrounding areas of Michigan at Hartrick Dentistry. If you think you may have TMJ disorder or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of this ailment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hartrick today by calling (248) 549-0950.

Posted in TMJ

Why does My Jaw Hurt?

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Admin Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Jaw pain can be difficult to treat. Identifying the cause of the pain can be even more difficult. If you’re living with jaw pain, you also may be suffering from headaches, ringing in the ears or facial swelling. Jaw pain also can be present in combination with other symptoms, such as hearing a popping or clicking sound when your jaws open and close. Whether your pain is a dull steady throb, an overall tenderness or an occasional sharp and stabbing pain, discomfort in the jaws can disrupt your day-to-day life. That is why it is important to identify the cause so that proper treatment can be provided. Today on the blog, your Royal Oak neuromuscular dentist looks at jaw pain and some of the common causes.

6 Causes of jaw pain

Arthritis: This chronic condition wreaks havoc on the bones, tissues and ligaments that surround your joints – your jaw joints included. Arthritis in the jaw usually leads to pain that can become chronic. In order to treat arthritis in the temporomandibular joint, you must first be diagnosed, which entails an assessment and often X-rays, which should be reviewed by a medical practitioner who understands the mechanics of the jaw and orofacial system.
Sinus issues: Whether it’s caused by trauma, inflammation from sinus infections or allergies, a buildup of sinus pressure can cause pain in the jaw. This pain can be sudden or reoccurring. Sinusitis possibly can be treated with over-the-counter medicines but a chronic sinus condition requires treatment from a qualified medical professional.
Injury or trauma: It’s important that if you sustained an injury due to a blow or impact to the jaw or face, you need to seek medical attention and have your jaw joints assessed. This will help ensure that your overall health and quality of living will not be affected in any way.
Bruxism: The clinical term for teeth grinding or clenching, bruxism often occurs due to anger or stress. While some people grind their teeth during the day it is more common at night while asleep, meaning the vast majority of people with bruxism never realize they are engaging in this habit. However, this grinding or clenching can wear down teeth and also throw off the alignment of the jaws, leading to jaw pain. You can resist your likelihood to grind your teeth by reducing your stress through meditation, regular exercise and other lifestyle changes.
An underlying dental problem: It is not unheard of for conditions such as gum disease, cavities, infected teeth, abscessed teeth, and tooth decay to cause jaw pain. These conditions all can affect the jaw directly while impacting your oral health.
Temporomandibular joint disorder: More commonly referred to as TMJ disorder, this condition occurs when the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull on either side of the head, enters a state of dysfunction. As the temporomandibular joint controls the ability of the jaws to open and close, it plays a crucial role in your ability to speak and chew. The symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary significantly from case to case but one of the most common symptoms is—you guessed it—jaw pain.

Identifying and treating jaw pain in Royal Oak and Birmingham in Michigan

You do not have to continue living with jaw pain. Seek the care of a neuromuscular dentist to resolve this issue. Neuromuscular dentistry is an advanced specialization of dental science that focuses on the alignment of the bite as well as the jaws. This training makes a neuromuscular dentist the ideal choice to diagnose and treat cases of jaw pain. Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer her services in the specialty of neuromuscular dentistry. To schedule an appointment, call our office in Royal Oak at (248) 549-0950.

Posted in TMJ

The Value of Neuromuscular Dentistry

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Dr. Hartrick's Team

Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI

Have you ever experienced a persistent ringing in the ears? What about chronic headaches, especially first thing in the morning, that respond poorly to even powerful pain relief medication? Maybe you hear clicking or popping sounds when your jaws open and close? Well, all of these seemingly separate issues can stem from the same cause – temporomandibular joint disorder. More commonly known as TMJ disorder, this is a serious ailment that requires treatment from a qualified medical professional … such as a neuromuscular dentist. In fact, a neuromuscular dentist is the best-qualified medical professional to provide both a proper diagnosis and effective treatment for TMJ disorder. Today on the blog, let’s learn more about neuromuscular dentistry and its importance.

What is neuromuscular dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the alignment of the bite and jaw. It seeks to maintain the ideal alignment or, when issues occur, restore that alignment. Neuromuscular dentistry is not taught as part of the curriculum during dental school. Interested practitioners must pursue it on a post-graduate level, which involves intensive education and rigorous training.

A trained, experienced neuromuscular dentistry uses their wealth of knowledge to find or restore the ideal alignment and optimal resting position for your jaw. Once the correct alignment has been found, this will remove any other symptoms or oral health issues that developed due to the misalignment–such as a case of TMJ disorder.

How does a neuromuscular dentist identify and treat TMJ disorder?

By focusing on the root cause of this disorder – in other words, whatever is causing the temporomandibular joint to malfunction. This is a small, round joint that connects the jaw to the skull on either side of the head. The temporomandibular joint controls, among other things, the ability of the jaws to open and close.

If someone is experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder, a neuromuscular dentist determines if the disorder actually is present. This diagnosis is made by combining their own education and training with state-of-the-art technology. If TMJ disorder is detected, a neuromuscular dentist provides treatment, usually through a course of oral appliance therapy. This entails wearing a customized oral appliance that repositions the jaws into their preferred alignment, alleviating whatever is leading the temporomandibular joint to malfunction.

When should I see a neuromuscular dentist?

Patients with severe or untreated TMJ disorder may experience debilitating levels of pain, or other symptoms that negatively affect appetite, sleep patterns, stress and create other issues that impede your daily life. You do not have to live with these problems. Instead, schedule a consultation with a trained neuromuscular dentist today.

TMJ disorder will not go away on its own. Left untreated or undiagnosed, the effects of this ailment will continue to worsen. Vertigo, pinched nerves, misaligned vertebrae or numbness in the extremities all could develop as consequences of a case of severe or long-standing TMJ disorder.

Dr. Nancy Hartrick is proud to offer neuromuscular dentistry services to her patients in Royal Oak, Birmingham and the surrounding areas of Michigan. Just call the office of Hartrick Dentistry at (248) 549-0950 to make your appointment.

Posted in TMJ