(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 Dentists Chair

Migraines & Headaches

TMJ Dental Services in Lethbridge, Alberta

Woman Suffering from TMJ Headaches

TMJ headaches can be unbearable

Many people afflicted with chronic:

  • headaches or migraines
  • facial pain
  • discomfort in their neck or shoulders
  • back pain

might not know that TMJD could be causing their ailments.


How does TMJD cause headaches?

Lethbridge dentist Dr. Lachman: “When your temporomandibular joint (your TMJ) is not functioning properly, the muscles around your face, head and neck can become strained. Once in this state, almost everything you do can cause additional stress.”

Even when you are  relaxing, if your jaw muscles are not resting in their optimal position due to an unbalanced bite, a surplus of stress is added. All this additional strain on the muscles in your head, face, and neck can lead to TMJ headaches, migraines and irritation and soreness in all the connected muscles.

Photo of a Rocky River.

Suspecting TMJ Disorder?

Living with pain is hardly living at all.

TMJD can mess with blood flow

TMJD headaches can also be caused by blood pressure build-up. When the muscles in your face, head, and neck are strained, they can prevent blood from flowing to the proper places. When this occurs, your body attempts to correct the problem by sending more blood to the area, which augments the blood pressure. This feeling of pressure around the head, called a vascular headache, can be exceptionally painful.

It’s a little like “Brain Freeze”. Everyone has had it at least once. You’re enjoying a delicious ice cream, when suddenly it hits you, ouch! Brain freeze is an intense, sharp, pain in your head, or rather brain, that can stop you in your tracks briefly. Brain freeze occurs because the blood vessels in the roof of your mouth contain sensitive nerves.  When you consume something cold very quickly, these nerves respond by sending more blood to your brain to prevent heat loss. This rapid injection of blood can cause the same vascular type headache described above. Brain freeze pain is similar to the headache pain a TMJD patient feels.


Is it a headache or a migraine?

Man in Pain From TMJ Induced Headaches.

TMJD headaches can be so painful they are often misdiagnosed as migraines, but there is a difference between a migraine headache and a headache caused by TMJD.

  • Migraine headaches are usually felt mainly on one side of your head and are often accompanied with visual disturbances and extreme sensitivity to light.
  • TMJD headaches are most often felt in your temple area, behind the eyes and at the back of the head, with the pain searing to your neck and shoulders.

Since the treatment for migraine headaches is different than the treatment for TMJD headaches, it’s essential you see a medical professional to help you make the distinction.


Find treatment for your headaches

The first step to finding a treatment for a TMJD headache is to find the cause. Lethbridge dentist Dr. Lachman will start the diagnostic process by taking a detailed history of the problem. If you have sought treatment elsewhere, or have received a different diagnosis, he will likely ask for any test results you may have.

Diagnostic testing equipment such as:

can help Dr. Lachman determine if you jaw joint is a cause of your headaches.


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?

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