Patients with one or more missing teeth have to deal with damage not just to their oral health, but their self-confidence as well. People with missing teeth are perceived in US society as being poor, uneducated, or unhealthy. Additionally, a recent employment poll revealed that those with missing teeth were much less likely to be hired than people with a full smile, and those who had jobs received significantly less money compared with others in similar roles. If the social stigma attached to tooth loss isn’t enough to spur patients to replace missing teeth, the oral health risks should be. Patients with one or more missing teeth often experience uneven dental wear due to the excess force placed on surrounding teeth, gaps and misalignment as teeth shift to fill in the empty space, changes in facial shape, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) caused by excess strain to the jaw. One of the most detrimental effects of missing teeth is the loss of gum and bone tissue, but most tooth replacement options don’t protect patients from tissue loss because they only replace the visible portion of teeth. Dental implants are the only restoration that replaces the entire tooth from the roots up preserving gum and bone tissue.
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Visit Dr. Ed Dooley for Dental Implants Spring Lake
November 13, 2015
Your Spring Lake Dentist Describes the 9 Dental Specialties
November 3, 2015
The American Dental Association recognizes 9 dental specialties. According to the recognition requirements, the ADA recognizes specialty fields only if, “Advanced knowledge and skills are essential to maintain and restore oral health,” and the association asserts, “The needs of the public are best served if the profession is oriented primarily to general practice.” Dr. Ed Dooley is a general practice dentist, but has advanced training and experience in many of the recognized dental fields. In order for patients to determine the ideal course of treatment in situations where they may need advanced care, it’s important to understand the role of specialists in the dental profession.
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We’re Giving Athletes Free Mouthguards Spring Lake!
September 14, 2015
At Dooley Dental, we love sports. And not just our professional teams, I actually think high school football provides some of the best entertainment I’ve ever seen. That could because my son Brendan was a committed Warrior football player during high school — who knows. I still believe that at the high school level, you can see pure passion, and a love of the game that you don’t find anywhere else. But we want you to remember that while they’re learning and growing on the field, young athletes are also at risk of injuring something they need for now and the rest of their lives — their teeth. That’s why this season, like every season, Dooley Dental is offering free athletic mouthguards in Spring Lake!
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What Is Malocclusion?
April 18, 2014
Malocclusion is one of those dental terms you hear from time to time, but do you know what it means? In today’s post, we want to briefly explain what malocclusion is, why treating it is important, and how treatment is commonly delivered.
Malocclusion is when teeth do not line up exactly. Instead of coming together as they should, the patient’s bite is slightly off, or sometimes more than slightly.
With malocclusion, patients can experience a variety of issues. For instance, patients who have maloccluded teeth are more vulnerable to gum disease. Plus, patients are more likely to experience discomfort caused by problems with the temporomandibular joints.
One of the most common ways that Dr. Dooley treats malocclusion is with braces. Through orthodontic care, teeth will be gradually moved into alignment so that they come together as they were meant to. In other cases, treatment might be provided with a nightguard or some other oral appliance. These appliances do not change a smile’s alignment permanently, but they do offer relief from the uncomfortable symptoms caused by TMJ dysfunction.
Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Frequent headaches
- Jaw pain
- Pain the shoulders and back
- Stiff or clicking jaw
Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Call Dooley Dental to consult with our Spring Lake dental team. We serve patients from Avon, Brielle, Manasquan, Belmar, Wall Township, and nearby cities in New Jersey.
