Save Your Smile From The Nightly Grind

Popping and clicking in your jaw is fairly common and often harmless. Pain or dysfunction is not. If you’re feeling any pain in or around your jaw or you’re struggling to open or close your mouth, give us a call. The sooner, the better because if you put it off, your available treatment options become limited.

At Ferris Family Dentist, Dr. Williams has the technology and the expertise to treat jaw issues from regular clenching to TMJ disorder right here in Ferris. Visit us for gentle yet effective treatment and get back to enjoying life, with a fully functioning smile, free from pain.

What Is TMJ?

Your jaw joint is known as the Temporomandibular Joint. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction or Disorder, usually called TMJ or TMD for short, is when you experience pain in or limited function of your jaw and the surrounding muscles.

There are some misconceptions that people have about what does and does not count as TMJ, so let’s clear that up.

Symptoms That ARE Part Of TMJ

• Pain in or around your jaw, when you’re at rest of during function
• Painful popping or clicking when you move your jaw
• Limited range of jaw motion (struggling to chew properly or to open or close your mouth)
• Strange movement of your jaw
• Your jaw gets locked or stuck in place, and you are unable to open or close your mouth
• Chronic headaches or ear pain

Symptoms That Are NOT Part Of TMJ

If you have no pain or dysfunction in your jaw but you:

• Hear or feel clicking or popping (60% of people experience benign popping or clicking)
• Are able to chew without pain
• Are able to open or close your mouth properly
• Have abnormal changes in your jaw in an X-ray

The Types Of TMJ

1. Problems due to the chewing muscles: spasms, aches, or a restricted range of motion in your jaw muscles
2. Problems due to the joint itself: this usually involves your jaw getting locked closed (so you’re unable to open your mouth and you feel pain) or getting locked open (so you’re unable to close your mouth)
3. Problems due to degeneration of the jaw bone: this is usually linked to a systemic disease like arthritis, lupus or Lyme disease

With a “closed lock”, you could get stuck with your mouth closed for hours, or it could suddenly get better. Getting this examined sooner rather than later is crucial, because if you leave it, you could limit the number and effectiveness of your available treatments.

An “open lock” is rare, but if you’re unable to close your mouth, this counts as an emergency, and you should get immediate help.

What Causes TMJ

There is some controversy on whether a malocclusion (aka a “bad bite) can cause TMJ, but there are other causes that are backed up by evidence including:

• Severe trauma or dental injury: this includes blunt trauma, motorcycle accidents, or other types of injuries to your jaw.
• Minor trauma or constant overworking: this includes bruxism (aka teeth grinding), persistent clenching, excessively or lengthy opening, radiation, or simply regularly chewing hard foods.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the technical term for when you persistently grind or clench your jaw. Often caused by stress or genetics, bruxism can be dangerous. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can lead to TMJ. In most cases though, it results in your back teeth getting worn down to the point where you feel pain and experience permanent damage to the enamel.

Get Treatment For TMJ Or Bruxism, Before Its Too Late

Our compassionate and experienced dentist, Dr. Williams, and the rest of our Ferris dental team can help you detect, manage, and treat all forms of TMJ, grinding and clenching. Contact us to schedule a consultation and save your smile from pain today!

Are you ready to get started?

Catch It Early, Treat It Well

• Do your gums bleed when you brush them? 
• Do you have bad breath that never seems to go away, no matter how much you brush your teeth? 
• Are your gums puffy, red, or feeling sensitive?

You might have gum disease. Don’t panic—it’s incredibly common, and with early detection and proper treatment, you can stop it before it leads to you or your family losing your teeth. Early detection is key to avoiding this though, so if you suspect you might have gum disease, don’t wait for it to get worse.

Simply come in for a checkup. We will take a gentle but thorough look at exactly what’s going on and then give you a clear plan for moving forward. Dr. Williams and our team provide professional gum disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment so you can enjoy healthy, happy gums.

What Is Gum Disease

Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is inflammation and infection of your gums. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States and it can be contagious. It doesn’t hurt until it progresses to the advanced stages.

Symptoms To Look Out For

• Gums changing color, especially if they start to go red or purplish
• Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth
• Soreness or sensitivity in your gums
• Persistent bad breath (aka halitosis)
• Persistent bad taste in your mouth
• Pain when you chew
• Gums pulling away from your teeth (aka gum recession)
• Loose teeth
• Shifting teeth or a change in how your teeth fit together

The Four Stages Of Gum Disease

How We Treat Gum Disease

• Diagnosis: Dr. Williams will look for a buildup of plaque on your teeth, ask about your symptoms, take digital X-rays, and measure the pockets of your gums to see if there has been any bone loss
• Dental cleaning: If you have the early signs of gum disease, we can treat it with a regular cleaning.
• Deep cleaning, including Scaling & Root Planing: If you have mild to moderate gum disease, we can do a gentle but thorough deep cleaning, making sure to clean below your gum line and in the hard-to-reach pockets.
• Pocket reduction surgery: If you have advanced gum disease, we can help tighten up your gums after the deep cleaning and close the pockets to stop bacteria from forming inside them again.
• Soft tissue laser treatment: A non-surgical, less invasive treatment using a handheld laser to reduce pockets and help recontour your gums.
• Bone grafting: If you have advanced gum disease, you will have experienced significant bone loss. With bone grafting, we can rebuild the bone you’ve lost and strengthen the foundation that holds your teeth in place to stop tooth loss.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR): In advanced cases where you’ve lost significant amounts of gum tissue, we can use gum grafts to restore your gum tissue and rebuild the support system for your teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent gum disease?

• Brush your teeth twice to three times every day
• Floss carefully between your teeth every day
• Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash
• Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
• Visit us for regular dental cleanings and exams

What is the quickest way to get rid of gum disease?

• Professional deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
• Antibiotics, to fight the bacteria
• Gum surgery

Stop Gum Disease Early & Save Your Smile

Don’t leave gum disease untreated. The earlier we catch it, the higher our chances of being able to stop it before it permanently damages your smile. All you have to do to get started is to come in for a checkup, we’ll take care of the rest and walk you through the entire process.

Are you ready to get started?

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing several times during their sleep, often over one hundred times. Because of this, the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen. Understandably, if left untreated, this disorder can increase the risk of an array of health problems.

How We Treat Sleep Apnea

Ferris Family Dentistry provides “Silent Nite®” and “TAP® 3 TL” which are lab-made devices to aid in opening the airway and reducing snoring by wearing an appliance to advance the lower jaw. We also provide laser snore therapy with our Fotona LightWalker® laser. If you purchase a snore appliance, we will give you a discount on your laser snore therapy.

NightLase® Snore Therapy

NightLase® is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that creates a laser-induced tightening effect caused by collagen contraction in the oral mucosa (throat) tissue. The tightening of the throat muscles creates more space in the airway and gives patients a better night’s sleep.

Silent Nite® Sleep Appliance

The Silent Nite® appliance helps patients achieve the sleep they need for a healthy lifestyle. It provides the patient with a more satisfying and deeper sleep by preventing the disruptive, unhealthy effects of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. This device achieves its results by gently shifting the lower jaw forward in a therapeutic position during sleep. Shifting the jaw position helps activate the airway muscles, which prevents the airway from collapsing during sleep.

TAP® 3 TL Sleep Appliance

The TAP® 3 TL (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) is a device that improves breathing and eliminates snoring in over 95% of all patients. The TAP appliance is a custom-made, two-piece appliance that snaps firmly and comfortably over the upper and lower teeth, much like a retainer. It holds the jaw forward so that the tongue and soft tissues of the throat do not collapse into the throat, causing snoring and sleep apnea. The unique design allows the patient to adjust the degree to which the lower jaw is held forward, simultaneously allowing maximum comfort and effectiveness.

Get a Better Night’s Sleep with Sleep Apnea Treatment

Want to know more about how our treatments can help you manage sleep apnea? Ferris Family Dentistry proudly serves the residents of Red Oak, Palmer, Corsicana, Ennis, Bristol, Waxahachie, Ovilla, Wilmer, and Lancaster.

Build Your Foundation For Lifelong Oral Health

General dentistry helps preserve your natural teeth and maintain your oral health for a fresh smile that lasts. Your oral health is intimately tied to your overall health, so good foundational dental care is essential for far more than simple aesthetics. Successful preventative care involves both good at-home oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits.

At Ferris Family Dentistry, we offer a full range of general dentistry treatments. From professional cleanings to sleep apnea and snoring therapy, our friendly team can do it all. Call our office today for comprehensive dental care and a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles for you and your family!

Why Prevention Is the Best Cure

The purpose of preventative care through regular dental visits is to thoroughly examine your oral tissues and mouth for any signs of developing issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, or oral cancer. 

If we can detect these dental issues before they worsen, we can save you a whole lot of time, money, and discomfort in the long run. By regularly visiting Dr. Williams and our friendly, experienced team, you can keep your smile healthy and happy for a lifetime.

Our General Dentistry Treatments

• Dental Cleanings and Check-Ups
• Dental Fillings
• Periodontal Or Gum Disease Treatment
• TMJ and Bruxism Treatment
• Sleep Apnea and Snore Therapy
• Customized Mouth Guards
• Laser Dentistry

Dental Check-Ups & Cleanings

Professional cleanings and check-ups are crucial for maintaining your oral health. Our dentists have specialized tools, knowledge, and techniques to reach places you aren’t able to reach at home. Combining professional cleanings with proper at-home oral care is the key to keeping your mouth healthy, fresh, and free from decay.

Dental Fillings & Laser Dentistry

If we do discover decay or cavities in one of your regular visits, our team will be able to ensure it is cleaned up and restored immediately. Tackling a cavity early is important to ensure it does not cause irreversible damage.

We use the state-of-the-art Fotona LightWalker® laser for fillings and root canals. Not only does the Fotona laser make dental procedures faster and more precise, but it also eliminates the most common factors that cause dental anxiety – injections, the vibration and sound of a dental drill, pressure, and heat. It’s also virtually pain-free!

TMJ & Bruxism Treatment

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is located on either side of your face in your jaw. TMJ is often used interchangeably with TMD, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. If you have TMD (or TMJ), you may have a misalignment of your jaw that causes pain in your temporomandibular joint. This can lead to other symptoms like headaches, facial pain, neck pain, etc. 

Bruxism is a term for jaw clenching and teeth grinding; is a type of temporomandibular joint disorder. This habit can cause you to subconsciously clench or grind your teeth during the day and night. Teeth grinding can correlate with other conditions like snoring, TMJ, anxiety, and stress. 

Treatment for Sleep Apnea Disorder

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing is interrupted during your sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea can stop breathing several times throughout the night, and because of this, their bodies and brains may not get enough oxygen. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems if not treated accordingly. 

Ferris Family Dentistry offers “Silent Nite” and “TAP 3 TL” which are devices made in a lab to aid in opening the airway and reducing snoring when worn on the lower jaw. We also provide laser snore therapy with our Fotona LightWalker laser.

Dr. Williams, our trusted family dentist in Ferris, TX, can curate a personalized sleep apnea treatment plan to help you overcome your symptoms and help you get the deep rest you deserve.

Gum Disease (Or Periodontitis) Treatment

If you are suffering from gum disease or symptoms like bleeding or inflamed gums, then it is vital to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading. Periodontal treatment aims to clean the pockets around your teeth and prevent further damage to the surrounding bone. If you adopt a daily routine of good oral healthcare, manage health conditions that may impact dental health, and stop tobacco use, you have the best chance for a successful treatment.

The severity of the condition will determine your gum disease treatment plan. There are many options available, from deep cleaning to surgery. It doesn’t matter what treatment you receive, it is important to take good care of your teeth afterward. This will ensure that your gums stay healthy.

During a deep cleaning, we will use:

• Scaling to remove tartar from both above and below the gum line.
• Root planing to remove the rough areas on the roots of your teeth. This also removes bacteria that cause periodontitis.

Our Mouthguard Options

Night Guards

If you suffer from TMJ/TMD or Bruxism, Dr. Williams will likely recommend a night guard. Night guards protect your teeth from the clenching of your jaw and the grinding of your teeth as you sleep. A night guard imposes a barrier between your lower and upper teeth to stop them from grinding against each other and causing oral problems in the future. Letting Bruxism go untreated in the long term can result in the need for expensive restorative treatments like porcelain crowns and veneers. If you think you may be clenching or grinding your teeth, call us today so we can keep your teeth protected with proper treatment. 

Sports Guards

Like night guards, sports guards are intended to protect your teeth. The need for a sports guard differs from a night guard, of course, as they are used to protect your teeth from injury and damage while you participate in sports. Sports guards are generally worn by athletes in most contact sports. Sports guards not only protect your oral cavity but can actually also help prevent a concussion.

Keep Your Smile in Tip-Top Shape

To learn more about our general dentistry services in Ferris, TX, and how our family dentist can help you maintain a healthy, functioning smile, 972-544-2123 today!

We look forward to meeting you and starting your smile journey together! 

Ferris Family Dentistry proudly serves the residents of Red Oak, Palmer, Corsicana, Ennis, Bristol, Waxahachie, Ovilla, Wilmer, and Lancaster.

Are you ready to get started?