San Ramon Cosmetic Dentistry Blog | Sean Michael Anderson, D.D.S.

If you are considering dental implants to improve your smile, you should know that this procedure has been perfected over a period of more than 50 years. The vast majority of patients who choose dental implants walk away with greatly enhanced confidence and a dramatically improved smile.

In my practice, I first determine if you have enough bone in the missing tooth’s general area to hold the implant (there are options for you if you do not). If you’re deemed a viable candidate, your mouth will be scanned digitally to determine precisely where the implant should be placed.

Here’s what you can expect during the two visits required to place your implant:

• You will be put under anesthesia since securing dental implants is a surgical procedure.
  
• The implant will be placed carefully into position to avoid contact with nerves.
  
• There’ll be period of a few months (approximately three-six) during which your mouth heals and the implant grows snugly into place.
  
• You’ll return to have your new tooth secured to the implant.
  

If you or a loved one are considering tooth replacement, I can help you determine if you are a good candidate. If you live in San Ramon, California or a surrounding area of San Ramon, please contact our office today to make an appointment with Dr. Sean Anderson.

With around 80% of headaches occurring from muscle tension, it’s no surprise that strained muscles caused by jaw misalignment actually cause a significant proportion of headaches. I help many of my patients’ headaches by correctly diagnosing and treating jaw misalignment.

Indicators that a headache may have dental origins include the following:
• Pain located behind the eyes
• Tender or weak jaw muscles in the morning
• Clicking or snapping of jaw joints
• Head and/or scalp sensitivity to touch

Specific dental issues that may lead to jaw strain are:

• Tired bite - When you swallow, upper and lower teeth meet firmly. If your bite is misaligned, or you are missing a tooth, muscles work harder to bring the teeth together.

• Referred Pain - This type of pain originates in the cheeks or jaw joints. Many times, however, the pain is "referred" to other areas of the head.

• Muscle Imbalance - When neck and jaw muscles are tense from an unstable bite, they shorten. This strain that often leads to headache.

If you or a loved one suffers from headaches, I can help determine if the headaches are related to jaw strain. If you live in the San Ramon, California area or a surrounding area of San Ramon, please call 925-837-4486 to make an appointment with Dr. Sean Anderson today.