Tatum Dentistry

It has been a while since I  first posted about getting Invisalign , so it’s definitely time for an update! Cutting to the chase, I have been blown away by the results so far. I honestly didn’t realize how bad my teeth were. I thought I just had one tooth that was starting to hide behind another tooth, as well as an open bite. But now after not quite three months with Invisalign , I’ve seen my bite shift and I’ve noticed a change in literally every single tooth’s alignment . I had no idea so many teeth were out of place, but my entire mouth has changed! Not only does my smile itself look completely different, but my profile has changed since my bite is no longer as open. I’m incredibly excited to see how my results continue to progress. I see Dr. Tatum at  Tatum Dentistry  about once a month or so , which gives her a chance to check my progress, complete any additional  inter-proximal reduction if needed, and then send me home with a new set of aligners. I sw...

TMJ is a painful condition of the jaw that can be disturbing if not addressed . The temporomandibular joint connects your skull to your jawbone, and it works like a hinge that slides back and forth. There are two joints, located on both sides of your jaw. Not only can TMJ lead to pain; it can also limit the mobility you have in the muscles that are responsible for jaw movement. Although the direct cause of TMJ is difficult to ascertain , there is a combination of factors that typically lead to it. One treatment that’s finding promise is  Botox for TMJ . Symptoms of TMJ Disorder: Aching around and in your ear Tenderness or pain of the jaw Pain in either one or both of the joints themselves Difficulty chewing or pain associated with chewing Complete locking up of the joint, which makes it difficult to open and close the mouth Facial pain TMJ can also be accompanied by a grating or clicking sound when you chew or open your mouth. If you have clicking , but there is no associ...

As a dentist, one of the most common questions I get asked is “What is the difference between Cosmetic Dentistry and general dentistry?” General dentistry is a practice that focuses on oral health. The goal of general dentistry is to prevent and treat oral disease. Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, is meant to improve a person’s aesthetic appearance through enhancing their smile and the look of their teeth. Knowing exactly what it is you are looking for will help you to find the right professional for your individual needs. The one commonality that both a cosmetic dentist and a general dentist have, however, is that they both have either a DDS or a DMD degree. So, if you choose a professional that specializes or treats cosmetic issues, they are able to handle any oral issue that you have. Both dentists start off with the same educational requirements. A cosmetic dentist is someone who just continues on to attend more training and specialization in the cosmetic de...