Learning the Basics of TMJ Disorder

Jaw pain can put a damper on your day, especially when you’re having trouble finding relief. While there are several situations that can cause jaw pain, TMJ disorder is one of the common culprits. TMJ disorder involves the temporomandibular joints, which are located on either side of your head. These muscles work together as a system of muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones. The purpose of this system is to help you speak and chew.

When the muscles aren’t working properly, TMJ pain becomes a problem with many patients. These joints involve many areas of your face, which unfortunately causes a lot of discomforts. While pain can sometimes relieve itself after a few weeks, the less fortunate will continue to have TMJ pain and may potentially visit an emergency dentist for relief.

What are the Signs of TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder is diagnosed by evaluating some of the common symptoms, including:

• Radiating pain through the jaw, face, and neck
• Stiffness in the jaw muscles
• Locking of the law, limited movement
• Painful popping, clicking, or grinding
• A change in the way that the upper and lower jaw fit together

What Happens if You’re Diagnosed with TMJ?

If you visit one of the best dentists in Pittsburgh and you’re diagnosed with TMJ disorder, some patients think the best course of action is purchasing an athletic mouth guard to wear at night. Unfortunately, this won’t do much to remedy any jaw pain. The most effective method of relieving TMJ pain is to order custom night guards for TMJ, as these are specifically fitted for your teeth and mouth to ensure proper fit. Over the counter mouth guards or mouth guards that are bought online can sometimes cause more harm and exacerbate the problem.

Why Should You Consider Night Guards for TMJ?

The purpose of night guards for TMJ is to prevent the top and bottom teeth from grinding together—otherwise known as bruxism. Bruxism is teeth grinding, whether it’s during the day when you’re awake or unconsciously while you’re sleeping. Either way, teeth grinding can cause pain, tooth loss, and cosmetic problems.

Night guards may also help alleviate headache pain and even improve your sleep pattern. Without the help of a night guard, the pain can potentially get worse and the effects of teeth grinding can become more severe.

Other Ways to Prevent Teeth Grinding and Alleviate TMJ Pain

If you’re having trouble with teeth grinding that’s attributing to your TMJ pain, there are other ways to alleviate the problem in combination with wearing a nightguard. These methods include:

• Cutting back on caffeine. Coffee, energy drinks, and other sources of caffeine can stimulate the muscles and further promote teeth grinding.
• Cut back or avoid alcohol completely. Grinding may intensify after alcohol consumption.
• Avoid chewing on objects that are not food.
• Practice jaw relaxation techniques. Keeping your top and bottom jaw apart with your eyes closed is good practice to relax the jaw.

Visit the Best Dentist in Pittsburgh for TMJ Treatment

Polished Dental can help Pittsburgh patients who are suffering with TMJ pain. Call us to schedule an appointment to learn more about night guards, teeth grinding, and treating TMJ disorder.

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You might go to a Pittsburgh dentist to enhance your smile, but what happens when you’re still not satisfied with other facial features? Dental work is great for boosting self-esteem, but dermal fillers offer another avenue of achieving the exact look that you’re after here in Pittsburgh.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectables that are given to numerous areas of the face to achieve a fuller appearance. Fat stores in area such as the face can diminish as we age. Patients in Pittsburgh seek the assistance of dermal fillers when they need to freshen up their look and appear younger.
Best of all, you can get your dermal fillers right here at Polished Dental.

What Areas of the Face are Good for Dermal Fillers?

Generally anywhere on the face that contains fat stores, wrinkles, creases, or even scars. It will also help restore some deformities to their original appearance without the need to go under the knife.
Dermal fillers can be used in areas such as:

• Lips for a fuller appearance
• Enhancement of shallow contours around the cheek bones or eyes
• Soften the appearance of wrinkles
• Help hide recessed scars
• Decrease the shadow of the lower eye lids

How are Dermal Fillers Different than Botox?

Botox injections are another popular method of achieving a fuller look to the face. However, Botox and dermal fillers are two separate things. Dermal fillers are a natural or synthetic material that is injected into the skin until the unwanted wrinkle, depression, or other imperfection is gone. Dermal filler effect can last six months to two years. Some semi-permanent fillers may last for up to five years.
Botox, on the other hand, is typically injected on the forehead and around the eyes to minimize wrinkles and crow’s feet. Botox does not plump and smooth in the same manner as dermal fillers, and it also doesn’t last as long as dermal fillers.
However, this doesn’t mean that you’re limited to one or the other. Some patients opt for both Botox and dermal fillers to achieve a much younger-looking face.

How do You Know that Dermal Fillers are Right for You?

Polished Dental can help you determine if dermal fillers or Botox is the right choice for your situation. Contact our office to set up a consolation and learn how you can achieve fuller, younger-looking skin.

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Why Polished Dental Should Be your Pittsburgh Dentist

Whether you’re new to the area or unhappy with your current dentist, or if you are simply looking for a new dental practice, look no further than Polished Dental. Even with all of the options available in the Pittsburgh area, it’s easy to see why Polished Dental is the preferred dentist for teeth whitening, crowns, dental bridges, and more.

Superior Patient Care

From your first visit, you will see how Dr. Troupe and his staff go above and beyond to make your visit comfortable. Forget waiting for hours in a cramped waiting room. Here at Polished Dental, we know how valuable your time is, so we never overbook. We set aside plenty of time to answer your questions, understand your unique needs and perform your dental services without rushing. When you are in our chair your more than just a patient, you become part of our family.

A Wide Range of Dental Services

From your child’s first dental cleaning to your father’s denture fittings and everything in between, we’re the only dentist you will ever need. We offer exams and X-rays, wisdom tooth removal, nightguard fittings and more right in our office, using cutting edge technology and techniques to give you the best possible smile in less time.

Cosmetic Dental Services

Sometimes you need more than a standard dentist. At Polished Dental we have the education and experience to take the extra step into the world of cosmetic dentistry. Obtain a brilliant white smile, natural looking crowns and veneers or even dental implants. We do it all to help you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed about.

Emergency Services Available

When a dental emergency arises the pain and discomfort are usually too great to wait days for your appointment. At Polished Dental, we save openings in our schedule every day in case you need us sooner than later When you are in pain or need help fast we can get you in the same day and get it taken care of.

If Polished Dental is exactly what you’re looking for in a dentist call us today to discuss how we can help you achieve your best smile. Contact us today to learn more about we can help you achieve ultimate oral health.

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When Should You Consider Professional Teeth Whitening in Pittsburgh, PA?

Americans spend thousands of dollars each year on beauty treatments for their hair, skin, and nails. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so why shouldn’t your teeth be given the same consideration?
Polished Dental in Pittsburgh, PA offers in-office whitening that gives you maximum impact in under an hour, or at-home kits that gradually whiten your smile in under two weeks. The process is safe, affordable and highly effective.





So, when should you consider professional teeth whitening?

A Big Day is Approaching.

Whether it’s an exciting first date, or your wedding day. A job interview for your dream career, or your retirement party. The special occasions that pop up throughout your life require you to look your absolute best and nothing complements your looks and boosts your confidence like a bright, white smile.

You Indulge in Soda, Coffee or Cigarettes
.

Call it a “crutch” or a “guilty pleasure,” but the truth is that some of your favorite treats are giving you unsightly stains on your teeth. If giving up all of your habits isn’t an option, then professional teeth whitening is the perfect way to restore your brilliant smile.

You Want to Reduce the Signs of Aging.


You invest in all of the fancy anti-wrinkle skin creams and dutifully visit the salon to cover your gray hairs, so don’t let dull yellowing teeth ruin your efforts. As we age, our teeth age with us and natural yellowing and dullness occurs over the years, even under the best of circumstances. You are only as old as you feel, so don’t let your smile age you prematurely.

You’ve Been Slacking on Dental Care.


Maybe it’s late nights at the office or early mornings with toddlers. Maybe you don’t floss quite as often as you tell your hygienist. Whatever the reason, perfect dental hygiene has gotten away from you over the years and the results are starting to become apparent.

The good news is that teeth whitening is a snap, no matter how long you’ve been living with less-than-perfect teeth. There’s no need to live with a smile that doesn’t light up the room—restore your bright, white, brilliant smile by calling Polished Dental of Pittsburgh, PA today.

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RESTORE YOUR SMILE & CONFIDENCE WITH PITTSBURGH DENTAL IMPLANTS

Permanently Replace Missing Teeth with Our Natural-Looking Tooth Implants in Pittsburgh

Feeling a little self-conscious about a few missing teeth? Becoming increasingly annoyed by uncomfortable dentures? Polished Dental’s Pittsburgh dental implants will change not just the way you look, but the way you carry yourself.

Imagine once again smiling with confidence and unabashedly laughing without covering your mouth?

Imagine once again being able to eat comfortably without compromised chewing ability?

These things are possible with our tooth implants in Pittsburgh. A tooth implant looks, feels, and functions just like a real tooth. Even better, it lasts a lifetime.

What Is a Tooth Implant?

A tooth implant is a tiny titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jawbone wherever teeth are missing. Each implant’s function is to serve as an artificial root of a missing tooth. The implant eventually becomes permanently fixed by fusing to the jawbone. This is through a process known as osseointegration where bone grows around the implant to hold it in place. It can then act as an anchor for a range of prosthetic tooth replacements.

How Long Do Your Pittsburgh Dental Implants Take?

There are three phases to our Pittsburgh dental implants. While varying from one person to the next, the process as a whole can take anywhere from 5 to 12 months. In rare circumstances, the implants and replacement teeth can be completed in just one or two visits. Generally, there are three phases, two of which are surgical procedures:

Evaluation & Preparation – When you visit Polished Dental for a tooth implant in Pittsburgh, we will begin with a thorough evaluation of your mouth. This may involve anything from extracting a tooth that’s troubling you to X-rays or a CT scan.

We’ll look for existing dentition and the bone structure of the implant site to determine if bone grafting is necessary. If you’ve been missing tooth for some time, bone grafting will most likely be needed. In this case, you’ll need roughly 3 to 6 months set aside for this first phase of the process.

Artificial Root Placement – Next we place the implants into the jawbone. This surgical procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Over the next 3 to 6 months, the implants sit beneath the gum’s surface where they gradually bond with the jawbone. This creates a durable artificial tooth root for your new replacement tooth to be affixed to. Temporary dentures can be worn throughout this time. A diet of soft and cold foods may be recommended. Warm soup may also help with healing.

Placement of the Artificial Tooth or Crown- The third and final phase is the procedure where we place the artificial tooth or crown onto the artificial root. The implant is uncovered and a small post, which protrudes through the gums, is attached. This post won’t be visible when the artificial tooth or crown is placed.

Benefits of Pittsburgh Dental Implants

Dental implants have become an increasingly popular and effective means of tooth replacement. Some of the benefits of our tooth implants in Pittsburgh include:

Improved Appearance – Not only do you regain your smile, but tooth implants also help preserve facial structure by preventing the bone deterioration that accompanies missing teeth. Since most bone loss occurs within one year of losing a tooth, the sooner you can get a dental implant – the better.

Improved Speech – Slurred words or mumbling are common among those with poor-fitting dentures. Dental implants put an end to speech issues caused by prosthetic teeth slipping in your mouth.

Improved Comfort & Convenience – Unlike removable dentures, tooth implants become part of you. There’s no feeling that something foreign is in your mouth. There’s also no removing and cleaning dentures every night at bedtime and dealing with messy adhesives.

Improved Oral Health – Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, teeth near an implanted tooth aren’t altered to support it. They also aren’t more susceptible to decay like they are with dentures. Since there are no dentures for food to get stuck under, oral hygiene is also significantly better with tooth implants.

Improved Self-Esteem – An improved smile and a healthier mouth go a long way in improving someone’s self-esteem and confidence.

Have Questions About Our Pittsburgh Dental Implants?

CONTACT POLISHED DENTAL TODAY

Call our office today at 412-281-3546 or schedule an appointment to determine if our tooth implants in Pittsburgh are right for you.

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Welcome to Polished Dental Group, a family dentist in Lawrenceville – just 2 to 3 miles off Butler Street in Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood.

Polished Dental Group has just opened a new location at 1809 Jancey Street in Morningside. This location is perfect for anyone searching for a family dentist in Lawrenceville or Pittsburgh’s East End.
You’ll find us right across the street from the old Morningside Elementary School building. Depending on traffic, we’re generally a short 5 to 10 minute drive from Lower Lawrenceville and an even shorter drive for Upper Lawrenceville residents.
Our office is also on the Port Authority’s 87- Friendship bus line with connecting busses all along Liberty Avenue, Penn Avenue, and Butler Street. We offer extended office hours for those that need to see us after work or school along with flexible financing options.

What Separates Us From Other Dentists in Lawrenceville?

Lawrenceville is a neighborhood where you see a lot of individuality. The staff at Polished Dental understands the uniqueness of every patient that walks through our doors. Whether you’re coming to us in extreme pain or discomfort, or you just want a brighter more confident smile, our first priority is putting you at ease.
The dentist office isn’t on anyone’s list of places they love to be. We don’t take that personal. Instead, we strive to change your perception of what going to the dentist is supposed to be like. We do this by relaxing you and making you as comfortable as possible.
When seeing us for the first time, we typically ask for about 60 minutes of your time. We need time to get to know you. We’ll want to talk about your dental history and what brings you to us. From there, we’ll examine your mouth and take any necessary X-rays.
Digital X-rays are used for your comfort, health (90% less radiation than traditional X-rays), and because they’re available for review in a matter of seconds. Intraoral cameras may be used to view areas of the mouth not easily visible in a standard exam. This is also a good way for us to show and explain what we’re seeing to you.
Depending on your diagnosis, we’ll discuss preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry options and set forth a course of action/treatment. We’ll also define some short-and-long-term goals for your smile or oral health before scheduling your next appointment.

Preventative Dental Care

Visits to our dentist in Lawrenceville will be a little less nerve-wracking once we can play defense against serious dental problems. Most major dental issues can be avoided with routine cleanings and good consistent at-home care. We want to see and address problems early, so only the most conservative treatments will be needed.
Our preventative dental services in Lawrenceville include Regular Dental Checkups, Routine Dental Cleanings, Nightguards for TMJ/Bruxism.

Cosmetic Dental Care

Do you find yourself covering your mouth or hesitating to smile or laugh? Missing, chipped, crooked, or discolored teeth can negatively impact one’s self-confidence. Our cosmetic dentistry in Lawrenceville can make a huge difference in how you both look and feel.
Our cosmetic treatment options include Teeth Whitening, Invisalign Aligner Therapy, and Porcelain Veneers.

Restorative Dental Care

Sometimes, despite preventative dental care, restorative dental procedures are still necessary from time to time. This may be to combat infection, restore damaged or decayed teeth, replace missing teeth, or for extra support. Each patient at our Lawrenceville dentist office is comprehensively assessed for any restorative dental procedures that may benefit them.
Our restorative dentistry in Lawrenceville includes Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dental Bridges, Complete or Partial Dentures, Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings, Root Canal Therapy, and Wisdom Teeth Removal.
Click to learn more about our Lawrenceville dental care services.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR DENTIST IN LAWRENCEVILLE

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Welcome to the Polished Dental Group, a family dentist in Morningside bringing beautiful healthy smiles to PIttsburgh’s East End

Looking for a family dentist in Morningside? Polished Dental is pleased to announce our new location at 1809 Jancey Street. Located right across the street from the old Morningside Elementary School building, we look forward to serving patients in Pittsburgh’s East End. This location is ideal for anyone seeking a dentist near Lawrenceville, Highland Park, Stanton Heights, and East Liberty.

What Separates Us from Other Dentists in Morningside?

When you walk through our door, you get the personalized attention you deserve. We know that visiting a dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience. This is why we go out of our way to relax you. From the moment you call to schedule your appointment to the moment you’re sitting in our patient chair. Your comfort is our number one priority.

Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to learn a little about you. We’ll especially want to know what’s brought you to our Morningside dentist office. Unfortunately, most first time patients aren’t coming to us just to say hello and welcome us to the neighborhood. They’re either in tremendous pain or they’re embarrassed to smile or laugh because of the condition of their teeth. Regardless of what’s brought you to us, we can help.

A comprehensive oral examination is the next part of our process. This where we utilize our state-of-the-art technology. Our equipment and processes are much more efficient and advanced than most dentists in Morningside. Our digital X-rays produce images in seconds while emitting up to 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays. We may also use intraoral cameras for visibility into parts of your mouth unreachable in a standard examination.

From there, we’ll walk you through your diagnosis and recommend any preventative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, or restorative dentistry treatments we feel could benefit you. These may include:

Preventative Dentistry – Routine Exams & Cleanings, Night Guards for TMJ/Bruxism

Restorative Dentistry – Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Root Canal Therapy, Wisdom Teeth Removal

Cosmetic Dentistry – Professional Teeth Whitening, Porcelain Veneers, Invisalign Aligner Therapy

Click to learn more about our Morningside dental care services.

Since we respect both your time and budget, we offer extended office hours and flexible financing options to accommodate your needs. Office hours after work or school are available and we accept a number of in-network dental insurance plans as well as payments via MasterCard, VISA, Discover, or AMEX. We’ll also be happy to tell you more about patient financing through CareCredit.

Most Effective, Efficient & Comfortable Dentist in Morningside

A healthy smile is a healthier and more confident you. Most major dental problems can be avoided altogether with early diagnosis and preventative care. We know many people are afraid to go the dentist. As a new family dentist in Morningside, Polished Dental hopes to change that with our convenient, compassionate, high-quality dental care. We hope to be a fixture of this neighborhood and the East End community for years and generations to come.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR DENTIST IN MORNINGSIDE

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Choosing a new dentist to go to in Pittsburgh is a big decision. You trust a dental professional to care for not only your teeth and smile (and in some cases, your entire family), but also your overall oral health, which has significant consequences for your total body health. When it comes to oral health, many people want to be under the care of the very best dentist in Pittsburgh PA. Whether you’re seeking the best dentist for a specific procedure or you’re just new to the Pittsburgh area, these are a few tips for finding a great fit for your dental health.

Establishing Basic Criteria For The Best Dentist in Pittsburgh

There are several basic criteria for finding the best dentist in Pittsburgh. The first factor to look at is how far your potential new dentist office is located from your home. If there’s an emergency, you’ll want to be able to access the dentist office quickly. Polished Dental is conveniently located in downtown Pittsburgh at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street, which is perfect for people who live or work in or near the downtown area.

You’ll also want to consider if you need a Pittsburgh dentist that specializes in a certain area, such as cosmetic dentistry. For example, some dentists have advanced technology for cosmetics such as zoom whitening services, and even a 3D Cone Beam CT Scanner. Polished Dental uses the most modern technology to help patients achieve better smiles and fantastic oral health. State-of-the-art technology can help make treatment more predictable, including dental implants, veneers, custom night guards, natural-looking restorative dentistry, and more.

It also helps to research your potential new dentist online before inquiring about their services. You can easily find reviews on places such as Yelp, Google My Business and Facebook. Polished Dental has excellent online reviews, and we invite you to read them for yourself.

Questions to Ask Your New Dentist in Pittsburgh

Before you commit to your first appointment, there are several questions you’ll want to ask to ensure that you’re getting the right dentist for your needs, such as:

• What can I expect from my first appointment?
• How are patient emergencies handled?
• Is the doctor focused on me, and only me, when I’m there?
• How up-to-date is the technology?
• Does the doctor practice state-of-the-art techniques and maintain continuing education?
• What areas do you specialize in?
• Do you offer financial arrangements?
• How do you accommodate patients with dental anxiety?

The answers to these questions can help you determine if a particular dentist is right for you, or if you should continue researching for your new Pittsburgh dentist.

Polished Dental: The Best Dentist in Pittsburgh PA

Polished Dental is currently accepting new patients, and we invite you to call us and inquire about our services. We take pride in providing a highly personalized experience, and we pay exceptional attention to detail. We partner with you, the patient, to make each visit seamless and comfortable, and our patients are happy to refer their friends and family to the practice. We are dedicated to helping our patients achieve the best oral health possible and making sure that our patients save all of their teeth for a smile that lasts a lifetime. Call our office in downtown Pittsburgh today for questions or to schedule an appointment at 412-281-3546.

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