TMJ and Cosmetic Dentistry
Los Angeles
Deborah’s Story
Deborah was seeing three dentists to treat her complex dental needs. She started with a general cosmetic dentist who completed 4 porcelain crowns. He referred her to an Invisalign ® dentist to straighten her teeth. She began having severe TMJ problems and was then referred to a TMJ Specialist. Deborah had TMJ pain, headaches and facial pain, and was having trouble chewing and functioning normally. The TMJ dentist said her problems were caused by the Invisalign® dentist’s work. The Invisiline ® dentist reproached the TMJ dentist and they both attributed fault to the general dentist. All three dentists blamed each other while Deborah was in severe pain without anyone helping her. Deborah stopped the Invisalign® treatment and searched for a dentist who could fix her problems.
In Search of the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles
Deborah began searching many websites on the Internet and looked at general dentists, implant dentists, cosmetic dentists, TMJ dentists, and Invisalign ® dentists. Dr Muslin’s website stood out from all of the rest so she decided to call his office for a consultation. The website had “before and after photos” of his actual patients’ dental work. She had to drive hours to get to Santa Monica, but she felt that his work made him look like the best dentist and wanted to judge for her self.
Porcelain Crown Failure
Dr. Muslin examined Deborah and determined that her unaligned bite was causing her TMJ issues. The doctor tested his theory very simply and inexpensively by adding composite filling material to the recently completed porcelain crowns, in order to raise the bite. He did this without drilling on the crowns and treatment required no shots. The results were instant. The bite felt better and Deborah was hitting her teeth on both sides for the first time in over a year. The porcelain crowns were too short, or too low, causing her jaw to “over close”. The bad porcelain crowns were eventually replaced and the bite was improved to total comfort.