(403) 382-2273

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C), Health Canada and the Canadian Centre For Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

To ensure the health and well-being of our patients and team members, we have installed 2 different types of air purifiers at our dental office. Both of these are manufactured by the Canadian company, Surgically Clean Air.

Both of these filters perform their duties without being loud, (an industry-leading low level of about 55DB) or creating a “breeze” that can be uncomfortable for our patients. 

Some additional changes you may also see when it is time for your next appointment. For example:

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (403) 382‑2273.

So come on in to get your dental work done and enjoy Surgically Clean Air! 

Photo of one of our Well Lit Patient Rooms.

Eye & Ear Pain

Your Complete TMJ Dental Experience in Lethbridge, Alberta

Picture of Woman Grimacing from Ear Pain

Suffering from ear and eye pain? Maybe it’s not all in your head

You might have seen a doctor, complaining of ringing in the ears, yet nothing has been diagnosed. You explain your symptoms, your doctor shines a light, takes a look around and can’t find anything wrong. Still, you know that ringing sound is real and you know occasionally you’re hit with waves of dizziness so strong you are forced to hold on to something.

Lethbridge dentist Dr. Lachman explains one cause of ear and eye pain:

“Ear congestion, persistent ear aches, dizziness, vertigo, ringing or whistling in the ears… these can all be traced back to TMJD, a painful disorder caused by the way in which your teeth bite together. TMJD is the result of stressed jaw muscles working overtime to compensate for the bad bite.”

As for eye pain problems, symptoms like a stabbing sensation behind your eyes, pain in your eyebrow area, unexpected eye twitches, or eye swelling, can also be an indication of a jaw joint disorder.


Technically (and medically) here’s what is going on

The bite problem that’s so often behind TMJD pain is commonly due to an alignment issue with your upper and lower teeth. When the two don’t match up as they should, you are forced to use your jaw muscles incorrectlyThis can cause repetitive strain injuries and affect the position of your head, and your body as a whole.

Once your jaw muscles are strained, other facial muscles, ligaments and nerves are impacted which can cause, among other TMJD symptoms, ear and eye pain.

Photo of rocks in a River.

Suspecting TMJ Disorder?

Living with pain is hardly living at all.

What’s behind your ear pain?

Your ear has two important muscles:

On top of the muscles that can be affected by a misaligned jaw, there is a ligament that can be affected as well. It’s called Pinto’s ligament, and it connects the malleus of the inner ear with the articular disc and the temporal mandibular joint capsule.

When the Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) is not functioning correctly; the articular disc is often stretched out of normal position which strains Pinto’s ligament.  Pinto’s ligament then causes movement of the malleus which TMJD patients notice as ringing in the ears, a congested feeling in the ears, and /or a sensation of dizziness.


What’s going on with your eyes?

The cause of jaw related eye pain problems is due to pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is responsible for the sensations you feel in your head. When it becomes compressed by overly tight jaw muscles, it can cause referred pain. Referred pain is pain that is felt in one place, in this case your eyes, but originates in another.


Stabilizing your jaw may help to relieve ear or eye pain

Stabilizing your jaw to its proper alignment can restore your bite back to its normal position, and could relieve ear and eye pain caused by the misaligned bite.

If you would like to learn more about TMJD disorder treatment options and how they might relieve your ear and eye pain, please schedule a consultation.


SMILES TRANSFORMED

From dental implants to dentures,

see some successful cases by Dr. Karstan Lachman

before and after photo of patient smiling 1
before and after photo of patient smiling 2
before and after photo of patient smiling 3

More Before & Afters

lobby of Cool Dental in Lethbridge AB

Are you ready for a new dental experience?

Copyright 2024 Cool Dental and Dental Growth Strategies | All Rights Reserved | Powered by DGS