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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Palate Expansion

Sometimes, children’s jaws are too narrow to accommodate all of their teeth. One solution to this is extraction, but at Dr. Gregory Ross’s orthodontic offices, we believe in saving children’s teeth whenever possible. That’s why, as an alternative solution, we provide palate expanders.


Children’ skull bones have not fully fused together and may be manipulated with pressure. A palate expander is an orthodontic device which is made of two movable parts connected by a screw in the middle and which is worn over the upper molars and roof of the mouth. Once or twice a day, the patient or their caregiver uses a key to turn the screw, causing the movable parts of the expander to move in opposite directions. This gradually broadens the palate, allowing more room for the teeth to shift into position. It can also be used on children who have a cross-bite, which is when the lower teeth on one side close on the outside of the upper teeth. Palate expanders come in fixed and removable versions and the removable kind can be thought of similarly to retainers. However, adults are usually not able to undergo this treatment because their bones are no longer flexible enough.


To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.


 

Thursday, February 15, 2018

TMD and Fibromyalgia

Orthodontists do a lot more than braces. At the offices of Dr. Gregory Ross, we provide treatments for people who are suffering from nighttime teeth grinding as a result of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD or TMJD). This behavior is done in response to pain in the joint which connects the jaw to the rest of the head, but it can worsen pain in the head, neck, and shoulder. TMD is also commonly associated with fibromyalgia, which makes it important for fibromyalgia patients to get assessed for TMD.


Fibromyalgia is a disease which causes pain throughout the body and problems with cognition and memory. It is poorly understood but believed to be neurological in nature. Besides TMD headaches, fibromyalgia also contributes to migraines. It is most often seen in women, although usually in ones who are older than those who have TMD alone. There are a number of pain-management therapies available for fibromyalgia patients, but it’s important to ensure that their bite alignment isn’t compromised by night time teeth grinding without worsening their discomfort. Night guards are a useful first step toward preventing teeth grinding, and if the teeth do need realignment, Invisalign can shift them with less pressure than traditional braces.


To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.


 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Complications

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when they don’t have room in the mouth to grow. This can be painful for most, but sometimes, symptoms don’t arise. Wisdom teeth extraction is recommended between the ages of 16 and 19 because teeth removed before the age of 20 have less developed roots and few complications. If your wisdom teeth are still intact, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS to determine whether or not they will need to be extracted.


Impacted wisdom teeth do not always show symptoms, but when they do arise, it is usually the result of the gum surrounding the tooth becoming infected or swollen. Additional symptoms may include pain, as well as gums that are tender to touch. Impacted wisdom teeth pose a risk to damaging the surrounding teeth if they don’t have room to emerge. Extraction is best to avoid future dental problems.


If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extraction, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.smilesbyross.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Ross, DDS call our Forest Lake, MN location at 651-464-6988 or our Hudson, WI location at 715-808-8379.

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