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Everything I have had done at Premier Smile Center has been top-notch. The treatment I received was thorough, precise and extremely professional. I never felt like just another patient because they took the time to listen to my concerns. They addressed my issues and we agreed on the treatment plan together.

The staff is very friendly, warm and extremely knowledgeable. I felt relaxed and comfortable knowing I chose the right place to get the dental work I needed. Dr. Johnson is very humane and very knowledgeable, and she does amazing work. I like the friendliness and honesty of the whole practice. I was not confident with my smile, in fact I was very self conscious and rarely smiled. Premier Smile Center has changed all that. My smile is one of the things I like the most.

Maria
I was terrified to receive a root canal, but I knew it had to be done. After meeting with Dr. Johnson and Dr. Bui, I felt better about the procedure. They educated me on the process. I was comfortable and had no pain—which was my biggest worry. I love coming to the office. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. The doctors and staff educate you on what they are doing and why it is needed.

The dentist was a place I visited only when I desperately needed to, and now I’m in the office every few months. I don’t live near the office anymore, but as long as they’re there, I will be driving over to Fort Lauderdale. Thanks to Premier Smile Center, I now have healthy, pearly white and almost perfectly straight teeth.

Adriana
When I first came to the practice, my teeth were in terrible condition. From the beginning to the end of my treatment, Dr. Johnson and her entire practice were outstanding, professional and extremely understanding of my needs. Dr. Johnson is honest and very hands-on, and the practice feels like a family and not a factory. Thanks to Dr. Johnson, I now have a great smile.

Arthur
Coming to Premier Smile Center was a life-changing experience for me. Although I was a registered nurse, I had the worst teeth ever—a missing tooth, discolored teeth and a crooked smile. Dr. Johnson explained to me in detail how she could give me a beautiful smile. She and her staff have been truly supportive and non-judgmental about my teeth. Dr. Johnson is compassionate, understanding and a joy to talk to, and the staff are friendly, efficient and caring. They encouraged me to go on when I was feeling down, and now I can smile confidently.

The treatment I received has greatly increased my self-esteem. I can smile and laugh unashamedly and join into a group conversation, and not just be a passive listener. I also have better health and nutrition. It is the best investment I have ever made for myself.

Gloria
Premier Smile Center has always treated me like family, and my experience as a patient of Dr. Johnson’s has been nothing but satisfactory. Dr. Johnson is brilliant, and the practice is clean, friendly and professional. Before I came to the office, the condition of my teeth was depressing. As a result of my treatment, I have more confidence and less anxiety associated with a messed-up mouth.

Clayton
Before coming to Premier Smile Center, I had not been to a dentist in some time. I needed some periodontal work done, fillings and wisdom tooth extractions. What initially struck me was the warm welcome I received from the front office staff, and I had virtually no wait time before I was greeted by Dr. Johnson. She was incredibly professional and explained everything she was doing as she conducted the initial exam. She made her recommendations and scheduled a return visit to repair some fillings and pull two wisdom teeth.

What was truly amazing was that within 24 hours Dr. Johnson herself called to check on me and asked how my experience was. My wisdom tooth extractions went flawlessly, and I experienced very little bleeding and no pain during or after the procedure. Again, Dr. Johnson called me afterward to check how I was doing. I like Dr. Johnson’s warm and sincere concern for her patients, and I also like her professional staff. I am always impressed by the warm, professional nature of everyone in the office.

Daniel
From the moment I arrived at Premier Smile Center over a year ago, Dr. Johnson and her entire staff have been amazing. Needless to say, anytime you have a cosmetic procedure done there will be nerves and lots of questions. Within minutes into my initial consultation, these concerns subsided. Unlike other dental practices I have been to, Dr. Johnson took her time and explained what I should expect from beginning to end with Invisalign. I continue to receive compliments on my smile every day. I love it! I have already and would recommend her again to anyone I know. A huge thank you to Dr. Johnson and the Premier Smile Center staff for making my experience fabulous!

Erica

TMJ Therapy

When you have a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), you will experience discomfort and strange sensations in your jaw. This pain is evidence of just some of the possible symptoms of a TMJ problem, and none will go away on their own. This serious condition can damage your oral health and alignment. Find out what’s really happening with your teeth and jaw and if you need TMJ therapy. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Charmaine Johnson at Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Understanding the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

The TMJ are small, triangular-shaped joints that are positioned in front of the ears. They join the lower jaw to the temporal bone, allowing the mouth to easily open and close. At least, that’s what the TMJ is supposed to do. If the muscles and nerves around the jaw become irritated, the TMJ will become inflamed. This is often caused by:

Holding stress in the mouth and jaw
Teeth grinding
Teeth clenching
Jaw misalignment
Arthritis

Signs of a TMJ Problem

When TMJ is diagnosed, its presence is clear and you’ll wonder how you didn’t realize that was what you were dealing with all along. Unfortunately, the symptoms of TMJ problems can masquerade as other condition, both mental and physical. So instead of seeing your Fort Lauderdale dentist for accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment, you may see your primary care physician first and receive a misdiagnosis.

You’ll learn quickly that you haven’t gotten the right diagnosis when the symptoms continue. Only targeted, adequate treatment will stop the TMJ from being a problem and a pain. There are many possible symptoms that point to the need for TMJ therapy, including:

Jaw pain
Tender jaw
Morning headaches
Difficulty biting
Discomfort when chewing
A popping or clicking sound when you open the jaw
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Tension in the jaw
Earaches
Dizziness
Hearing loss or tinnitus
Neck pain
Shoulder pain

Dental Problems Caused by TMJ Problems

It’s not just physical symptoms that point to a TMJ problem. The following oral health complications scream to your dentist that there could be a TMJ issue going on:

Enamel erosion
Cracked teeth
Broken teeth
Damaged dental work
Gum recession

Grinding and clenching your teeth night after night without any cushion leads to serious oral health problems. Teeth exert incredible pressure on each other – but they’re only supposed to do so when you eat, not any other time. This abnormal and often unconscious action can leave you with a TMJ problem and plenty of dental problems that turn into serious complications.

If you want to save your teeth from destruction and unnecessary deterioration and you believe a TMJ issue is to blame, see your Fort Lauderdale right away.

Types of TMJ Therapy

There are a handful of types of TMJ therapy that can interfere with teeth grinding, but the most effective solution is a customized night guard. Also called a bite guard or mouthguard, the night guard is a customized appliance that is fitted to your upper arch of teeth and worn while you sleep every night.

The clear tray is a tough acrylic plastic that clicks over your teeth and prevents them from crunching into each other. The presence of the night guard delivers immediate relief, stopping sleep bruxism in its tracks as well as the side effects.

Your dentist may have other suggestions for repairing your TMJ besides this easy solution. Aligning your smile with Invisalign may be the right way to alter your bite permanently and combat TMJ problems.

Visit Your Fort Lauderdale Dentist for TMJ Therapy

If you wake up with headaches every day, if your jaw aches all the time, or if you are experiencing dental problem after dental problem, talk to your Fort Lauderdale dentist at Premier Smile Center to find out whether you need TMJ therapy to protect your teeth and oral health overall, and save yourself from pain and discomfort.