TMJ is a common disorder that affects the alignment of the jaw and the cushioned disc that rests between it. It can be caused by a head injury, arthritis, or genetics. TMJ is short for "temporomandibular joint," which is the area that is affected by misalignment. Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, your dentist in Washington DC, diagnoses and treats many patients with TMJ; read below to learn of the common symptoms and give Dr. Mazzuca a call if you are at all concerned!

Pain

An aching jaw that is tender to the touch is a common sign of TMJ. The pain, typically caused by inflammation, doesn't necessarily have to come directly from your jaw—it may radiate to your head, neck, shoulders, or ears. Although TMJ pain can often be relieved temporarily with analgesic medication, your Washington DC dentist's goal is to help you manage your TMJ diagnosis long-term.

Noises and Pops

It can be disconcerting to feel and hear your jaw align itself back into place. For TMJ sufferers, this is a common occurrence when they chew, talk, or yawn. Our Washington DC patients describe the feeling as creaking, shifting, or grinding; sometimes a popping or clicking sound accompanies it. Any noise or sensation in your jaw joint that persists over a few days warrants a visit to Dr. Mazzuca for an examination.

Stiffness

Along with the pain and uncomfortable sensations associated with TMJ, your jaw may also not work as efficiently as it should. Chewing and talking can be a challenge, and opening your mouth all the way to yawn, brush your teeth, or take a bite of food may be impossible. For some unlucky TMJ sufferers, their condition may be so severe that the jaw gets stuck in an open or closed position.

Call Today!

Think you might be dealing with TMJ? It's time to contact Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, your dentist in Washington DC to schedule an evaluation: (202) 537-1088.

Dentures are an excellent tooth replacement option, but they offer many additional benefits as well. Different types of dentures are available. The right type of dentures for you will depend on whether you need to replace some or all of your natural teeth. A dentist can fit you with the right type of dentures for your needs. Dr. Ralph Mazzuca is your Washington, DC, dentist for dentures.

Types of Dentures

There are two primary types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete or full dentures are needed when all of the natural teeth along an arch need to be replaced. Partial dentures are appropriate when some natural teeth still remain. Partial dentures allow a patient to retain those natural teeth while still filling in the gaps from missing teeth.

There are different types of complete and partial dentures, including conventional or immediate full dentures, overdentures, and removable partial dentures. Immediate full dentures are worn immediately after any remaining natural teeth are removed. This the of denture is usually replaced with conventional full dentures several weeks later. Overdentures fit over any remaining natural teeth while filling in the gaps where teeth are missing. Removable partial dentures fill in gaps without covering the remaining natural teeth.

Benefits of Dentures

There are numerous benefits associated with the different types of dentures. Your Washington, DC, dentist can help you decide if dentures are the right tooth replacement choice for you. Some of the benefits of dentures include:

• Giving you back a full smile
• Boosting self-confidence
• Filling in the gaps from missing teeth
• Restoring normal biting and chewing functions
• Improving speech by correcting tongue placement when speaking
• Restoring the natural shape of your face by supporting droopy or sagging facial muscles

Dentures offer several benefits beyond the restoration of your smile. Dentures also improve speech, restore normal tooth functioning, and support sagging facial muscles. To find out which type of dentures are best for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mazzuca, your Washington, DC, dentist, by calling his dental practice at (202) 537-1088.

What your dentist in Washington, DC wants you to know

Did you know you can remake your smile? It’s true, thanks to cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry combines art and science to give you a smile you can be proud of. If nature didn’t provide you with a great smile, or if your smile is damaged by wear-and-tear, cosmetic dentistry can help. Dr. Ralph Mazzuca in Washington, DC wants to introduce you to some popular cosmetic dentistry procedures to remake your smile.

If your teeth are yellowed from age, stained from tobacco or coffee, or just dull and dingy, you should consider professional teeth whitening. You can whiten your teeth up to 8 shades, and the results can last up to 5 years, far better and longer than over-the-counter whitening treatments.

For more information about whitening, please view the Teeth Whitening section on the website at https://www.mazzucadds.com/teeth-whitening.html

If your teeth have small chips, cracks, or damage, dental bonding can restore and revitalize your teeth. Bonding uses composite, a unique liquid resin that can be matched to the color and shape of your teeth. The composite is then hardened with a dental light. The result is tooth repair that is virtually invisible in your smile.

Dental bonding is often completed with contouring and reshaping, to provide a more harmonious, even smile.

If you want to achieve a dramatically beautiful smile, porcelain veneers are the perfect solution for you. They are thin laminates of dazzling porcelain which are cemented on to the front surfaces of your teeth. They can hide both major and minor imperfections, cracks, breaks, fracture lines and other aesthetic issues. They can even mask tooth overlap and spaces between your teeth.

These are just a few of the many cosmetic dentistry services available from Dr. Mazzuca. For a complete listing of cosmetic dentistry services, please visit the Cosmetic Dentistry section on the website at https://www.mazzucadds.com/cosmetic-dentistry-services.html

You might also consider a complete smile makeover, combining several of these procedures to give you a fantastic new smile. The best way to begin your new smile is by scheduling a consultation appointment to discuss how you want your new smile to look. Just call Dr. Ralph Mazzuca in Washington, DC today!

Are you in need of dental crowns? Dental crowns are “caps” your dentist can put on teeth. The dental crowns fully encase the entire visible portion of the teeth that lie above the gum line. Ralph Mazzuca is one of the top dentists in Washington, DC. He offers a full range of dental services, including crowns. Read on to find out how dental crowns can help your smile.

#1- Fix Dental Problems- Dental crowns are routinely used to restore cracked, chipped, worn-down, and badly decayed teeth. Crowns are also used to protect teeth following root canal treatment and as a part of a fixed dental bridge. 

#2- Beautify Your Smile- Crowns are made from several types of materials. Composite resin, ceramic, porcelain or combinations of these materials may be used. In the process of making a dental crown, the material often is colored to blend in with your natural teeth. All-porcelain crowns are beautiful and provide the best natural color of all the crowns.

#3- A Perfect Color Match- It's important that you have a crown that matches the rest of your teeth. Your dentist can choose from over a dozen shades and give you a crown that is better matched to the shade of your natural teeth.

#4- Strength and Durability- Dental crowns are incredibly strong and durable. They're strong enough to withstand chewing forces.

#5- Improve Oral Function- It's difficult to eat when you have fractured teeth. Dental crowns will give you the ability to enjoy good food again. Dental crowns restore the structure of your teeth so you can eat in comfort and with confidence. 

#6- Brighten Your Smile- Dental crowns can correct tooth discoloration. If your tooth has darkened after root canal treatment, bleaching it won't help. Teeth whitening will not lighten some stains, like tetracycline-induced stains. In this case, your dental provider may recommend covering the darkened tooth with a dental crown. 

If you are in need of a crown, why wait? We can help you today. Call our dental office at 202-537-1088 today to schedule a dental consultation in Washington, DC. We want all of our patients to have healthy, beautiful smiles!

How your family dentist in Washington, DC can take care of your family’s dental needs

Do your family’s dental appointments take a bite out of your life? Do you have trouble fitting dental appointments into your busy schedule? Dr. Ralph Mazzuca in Washington, DC wants to share why you should think about having a family dentist to simplify your dental needs.

Having one dentist for the whole family means you don’t have to go to multiple dental offices for multiple appointments. You don’t need to search for an endodontist if you need a root canal. You don’t need to search for an orthodontist if your child needs braces. You don’t need to search for a cosmetic dentist if you want to investigate teeth whitening, veneers, or tooth-colored fillings. All the dental services you and your family need are under the same roof!

The convenience of going to one dental office and seeing one dentist is only one of the reasons why having one dentist for your whole family is so important. When you have one dentist, you will enjoy:

• Time savings, because very often multiple family members can be seen on the same day
• Money savings, because your dentist can monitor your family’s needs so you can budget dental costs more easily
• Treatment savings, because your dentist will catch small dental issues before they become big, extensive dental problems

Dental emergencies are another reason why it’s important to have one dentist for the whole family. If you or a family member suffers a dental emergency from an accident or injury, it’s great to know you don’t have to go searching around for a dentist. When you have a family dentist, you have great access to dental care after-hours for your dental emergency.

Your family members will need different services as the years go by, and Dr. Mazzuca can help. For a complete listing of services please visit the Services page on the website at https://www.mazzucadds.com/services.html

Having one dentist for your whole family can simplify your life! Taking care of dental needs can be easy, giving you more time to enjoy your life. To find out more about family dentistry, call Dr. Mazzuca in Washington, DC today!