(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! 

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Jaw & Facial Pain

TMJ Dentistry in Lethbridge, Alberta

Man experiencing jaw pain.

Suffering from jaw and facial pain? The culprit might be your jaw muscles

When discussing jaw and facial pain, Lethbridge dentist Dr. Lachman explains: “The primary jaw muscle responsible for chewing is called the masseter muscle. It lies at the sides of your jaw just behind your cheeks. It’s the also the muscle that causes you to clench your jaw.”

You use your masseter muscle a lot. Think about how often you use your jaw as you:

  • eat
  • speak
  • chew
  • yawn
  • the list goes on

Because we use it so much it’s one of the most common locations for trigger points in your body. A trigger point is a contracted muscle, that can send pain signals to surrounding areas such as your jaw, face head, or ears.


How well is your jaw working?

  • Do you experience pain when you bite?
  • Can you only open your mouth so far?
  • Do you hear clicking or popping when you chew?
  • Do you suffer from symptoms such as headaches, jaw and facial pain or sore neck or shoulder muscles?

If you answered yes to even one of those questions, something isn’t right. These symptoms are indicators that your jaw joint may be unstable.

Photo of a Rocky River

Suspecting TMJ Disorder?

Living with pain is hardly living at all.

A healthy Temporo-Mandibular joint (TMJ) is quiet. When you use it on a day-to-day basis, you shouldn’t experience discomfort. The muscles that control your jaw should work in harmony, allowing you to open and close your mouth smoothly and silently without jaw and face pain.

TMJ often starts with a misaligned bite

As with anything you use repeatedly, over time you will probably experience wear and tear. The same holds true for your teeth. Think about it. You use them continuously, day-in and day-out.

Each day, your teeth contribute to your ability to talk, breathe, eat, drink and swallow. You chew with them, bite with them, grind them, brush them, floss them and generally (although you may not see it this way) abuse them.

Worn teeth can lead to a misaligned, or “bad bite”. When this occurs, the wear and tear on your teeth is considerably more rapid and severe. The erosion of your teeth can lead to:

and an assortment of other symptoms, like jaw and facial pain.


TMJ treatment may help

TMJ treatment starts with a diagnosis of the problem. By reviewing your dental and medical history, and conducting a series of diagnostic tests, Lethbridge dentist Dr Karstan Lachman can help to uncover any problems with your bite that could be contributing to your jaw and facial pain.

The first step is to relax those jaw muscles. Once this is achieved, you may find your pain subsiding.

Phase 2 TMJ treatment involves keeping your jaw muscles relaxed over the longer term. This often involves correcting any dental issues that could have caused the jaw muscles to become overworked in the first place.


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

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Are you ready for a new dental experience?

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