(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! 

A Well Lit, Comfortable Exam Room.

What is TMJ?

Your Lethbridge Family Dentist

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint.

It connects the jawbone to the skull on both sides of the face. This joint enables you to open and close your mouth, eat, and speak. It’s also responsible for the side-to-side movement of the lower jaw.

When you touch the area in front of your ear, below your cheekbone, you’re touching the TMJ. Try to open and close your mouth and you’ll feel it moving too. If you hear a popping or clicking sound, that could be a sign of a TMJ issue.

Any problem that involves the TMJ - the joint, muscles, and ligaments in the system - is called a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

TMD Symptoms

Aside from the clicking sound, here are other symptoms of a TMD:

  • Pain in the jaw joints
  • Pain that reaches your ear
  • Ear congestion
  • Pain in your face
  • Pain in your neck and back
  • Chewing difficulties
  • Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
  • Headaches

TMD symptoms are usually mild and subside on their own. However, some people also experience chronic pain in the TMJ area and this can affect their daily living and well-being.

If your jaw joints are bothering you, call our dental office at (403) 382-2273. Our Lethbridge Dentist, Dr. Lachman, can examine the area and recommend a treatment plan.

TMD Causes

  • Muscle tension triggered by stress
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Injured joint and tissues
  • Arthritis and other joint diseases
  • A damaged or shifted disc that cushions the joint
  • Ill-fitting dentures
  • Certain habits, such as biting down on hard objects

It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of TMD. You may have to coordinate with a team of health professionals to receive various treatments and eliminate TMJ symptoms.

woman with tmj pain

Learn more about TMD Today

The TMJ is a complex system that can be difficult to understand. You probably are confused about where and how to begin treatment.

Our Lethbridge dental office welcomes TMJ patients. We recommend scheduling an initial consultation with Dr. Lachman to learn more.


SMILES TRANSFORMED

From dental implants to dentures,

see some successful cases by Dr. Karstan Lachman

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

More Before & Afters

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