FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several different habits, postures, and functional activities that can affect a person’s bite, ultimately leading to the development of a myofunctional disorder. Some common examples of these behaviors include thumb/finger sucking, tongue thrust (related to speech and swallowing), a forward resting position of the tongue, and an open mouth posture with parted lips. Myofunctional disorders can impact both children and adults alike—children’s normal dental development can be negatively affected, while an adult may experience an over-eruption of certain teeth. Additionally, orthodontic concerns such as malocclusion (as well as certain cosmetic dental issues) are commonly associated with the postures and habits mentioned above. Some patients may even experience issues related to proper jaw growth. Orofacial myofunctional clinicians like Dr. Gorman have completed extensive training that enables them to accurately and successfully diagnose and treat a wide variety of myofunctional disorders. Myofunctional therapy is designed to eliminate specific undesirable dental habits/postures, and can encourage proper swallowing patterns in patients with tongue thrust. Essentially, the therapy trains the patient to correct any improper resting postures of the tongue and/or lips. Progress and improvement will be observed throughout the duration of therapy, as well as immediately afterwards. In many cases, myofunctional therapy has been shown to restore normal dental development/eruption. Additionally, the long-term outcomes of orthodontic treatment can be strengthened when myofunctional therapy is completed either following or in conjunction with initial treatment, helping patients establish and maintain a lifetime of improved dental health.
Prognosis for TMD is good, as most individuals respond well to treatment. Success rates of treatment are significantly enhanced when a comprehensive approach that addresses occlusion, muscle/joint balance, and stress management is employed.
At Gorman Health and Wellness, we believe in providing nothing short of the highest quality of dental care for each of our patients. This commitment is our promise, and we strive for excellence in all that we do. Moreover, Dr. Gorman goes above and beyond by treating the cause of his patients’ dental concerns—not just the symptoms. Providing our patients with the most advanced dental care available today is always our primary concern. Each year, our team completes hundreds of hours in continuing education programs, helping us stay abreast of the latest innovations in dental treatments and technology. We only work with master lab technicians who use top-quality materials, resulting in unparallelled results we would be proud to provide to members of our own families.
Similar to the way changing how you walk to accomodate a sore ankle can eventually cause aching in the hips or lower back, continual malfunction of the temporomandibular joint can lead to discomfort elsewhere in the body since the muscles in various other areas must adapt accordingly and act irregularly. Areas outside of the head and jaw that are most commonly affected by TMD include the shoulders, neck, and back.
Anyone can have cosmetic dental work done if their mouth is in a good state of oral health. A comprehensive examination will tell our experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Martin Gorman, what steps need to be taken to prepare your mouth for dental work. Concerns may include gum problems, decay, or jaw alignment abnormalities. Once these problems are corrected, Dr. Gorman can create your new smile and feel confident that with proper care, it will last a lifetime.
If you have a straight, shapely, beautiful smile, free from damage and wear, teeth whitening may be all you need to freshen up your appearance. Most patients, however, want to reshape their front teeth, repair cracks, chips, or missing teeth, and whiten existing dentition for a spectacular smile makeover. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Gorman will discuss your smile goals and let you know the best way to achieve them.