Advanced Dental Services & Technology

TMJ/TMD Diagnosis & Treatment

Chronic jaw pain is often the result of a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is located near each ear. Fortunately, we can diagnose and provide simple treatment of TMJ disorders (TMD) through minor adjustments. For example, we often use a splint to relax the jaw muscles while you sleep, alleviating your pain. When we meet with you, we’ll determine the potential cause of your TMJ issues and give you the treatment you need to avoid pain in the future.

Botox Injections for TMJ

Did you know that Botox can also be used to treat TMJ issues? Utilized primarily for cosmetically reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Botox is a substance that forces muscles to relax. In the hands of experts in facial structures like our doctors, these injections can be strategically placed to prevent the jaw muscles from contracting excessively, which relieves the patient’s jaw pain for up to six months.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment

Do you snore loudly and consistently? Do you wake up feeling as tired as you did when you went to sleep? You may be suffering from sleep apnea. This common sleep disorder affects 40 million US adults annually. In many cases, patients think that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems are their only treatment option. However, once they try treatment with CPAP, they are unable to get used to the sounds and sensations. Our practice offers a comfortable, quiet, and effective alternative – oral appliance therapy. There are several types of oral appliances available, and they all reset the jaw slightly forward in order to open the airway, allowing for deep breathing and restful sleep through the night. All of the oral appliances we offer for sleep apnea sufferers are custom crafted to fit each unique smile for optimal comfort and effectiveness.

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Nitrous Oxide Sedation

If you feel anxious, nervous, or scared when you think about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. But you can’t let your fear interfere with your dental health. Luckily, we can give you nitrous oxide sedation, which calms your anxiety and causes you to feel content, warm, and at ease within minutes. It is administered through a nasal mask that you’ll wear throughout the appointment, and the effects quickly wear off, which means that you can drive and resume normal activities right away. 

Intraoral Camera

Wouldn’t it be nice to see what the dentist sees inside your mouth? With our Iris Camera, it’s not just possible; it’s standard with most exams. This intraoral camera fits easily and comfortably in your mouth and allows us to show you the issues we find by displaying these images on chairside screens. As a result, you’re able to better understand your oral health and make decisions for treatment.

Digital X-Rays

Radiography (X-rays) allow our team to view the inner structures of smiles, spot decay, diagnose misalignments, and other concerns – however, traditional X-rays were time consuming, exposed patients to radiation, exposed staff members to hazardous chemicals, and didn’t offer high resolution images. That’s why our team now relies on high definition, low radiation digital X-rays. They offer our doctors and patients direct access to crystal clear images of their oral structures quickly. We are able to easily transfer images to our patients, specialists, and insurance agencies at the touch of a button. Digital X-rays are also a great way to develop a better relationship with patients because we can show them clearly what concerns we’re discussing by highlighting, enhancing, or enlarging specific areas during consultation.

Digital Impression System

If you need a restoration or an oral appliance, impressions must be taken so that the dental lab can create a model of your teeth. This model then enables the lab to create a truly custom product that fits your smile perfectly. Traditionally, impressions are taken using a putty-like material, but at Darby Creek Dental, we use the 3Shape Trios digital impression system to collect the necessary data for the lab. This method is far less messy and more comfortable for the patient, not to mention less time consuming.

Soft Tissue Laser

Lasers have many uses, including playing Blu-Rays, entertaining cats, and even improving oral health. At Darby Creek Dental, we’re dedicated to offering patients the most effective, time saving, and conservative treatments whenever possible. Picasso soft tissue laser dentistry treatments offer all three of these benefits. Some of the procedures improved with soft tissue lasers include:

• Periodontal therapies
• Cosmetic gum recontouring
• Gum lift procedures preceding the placement of a dental crown
• Removal of lesions or cysts

Picasso soft tissue lasers remove infected tissue while accelerating the healing process and reducing blood loss. This precision and healing acceleration saves time on the day of treatment and during healing. Laser treatments allows our team to more precisely care for affected soft tissue while preserving healthy structure for a more conservative solution to most cosmetic and restorative dentistry needs.