Alpharetta Facial Pain – Estelle Zandstra, DDS
DR. ZANDSTRA HEALS
HEADACHES & FACIAL PAIN

Dr. Zandstra Is An Expert TMJ Dentist

With her extensive experience resolving problems related to misalignment of the jaw, jaw pain, headaches, grinding of the teeth, and TMJ – Dr. Estelle Zandstra is Alpharetta’s choice for orofacial pain therapy.

Dr. Estelle Zandstra believes in a finely coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to dentistry that incorporates a wide range of healing arts and medical professionals to ensure the successful treatment of her patients. Her goal is to create a long-term, healthy environment that generates comfortable, functional, and great-looking results.

Dr. Zandstra is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry and completed a University of Florida Residency in Prosthodontics – a distinction earned by fewer than 2% of all dentists. In addition, she has extensive experience and post-doctoral studies in cosmetic dentistry and full mouth reconstruction, including having completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the University of Minnesota as well as courses at The Dawson Academy, The Piper Institute, and multiple advanced courses with Pioneers in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine.

ACP American College of Prosthodontists Your smile. Our Specialty

The Dawson Academy - www.thedawsonacedemy.com

What Are The Sources of Facial Pain?

Orofacial Pain (OFP) is a medical specialty that requires dentistry training and deals with local and systemic disorders that cause pain and/or dysfunction in the mouth, face, head, and neck regions. Dr. Zandstra offers diagnosis, management, and treatment of painful disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, and the associated areas of the body that they impact.

What is TMJ?

Do you suffer from headaches, facial pain, clicking or popping in the jaw? If so, you could have Temporomandibular joint disorder (oftentimes called TMJ or TMD). Dr. Zandstra can help improve your overall quality of life by alleviating your TMD symptoms. Your jaw is at the center of many important physiological systems such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and your airway, so TMD issues can have a dramatic effect on your overall health and happiness. Oftentimes a misaligned jaw can have a dramatic impact on the rest of your body.

Dr. Zandstra will work with you to create a plan to realign your bite and restore your teeth and jaw to their ideal position. After treatment with Dr. Zandstra, patients have a noticeable and dramatic improvement in their overall quality of life.

What Causes TMJ or Facial Pain?

TMJ or pain disorders can result from a wide range of causes including injuries or misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, stress, arthritis, or even something as common as poor posture or chewing gum.

Symptoms of TMJ

Pain in the morning under the ears or in the jaw
Mild to extreme discomfort
Clicking, popping, or other noise while opening and closing the mouth
Tenderness in the jaw
Stiffness when trying to open or close the mouth
Earaches, headaches, migraines, tinnitus, or chronic fatigue

Okay, That Sounds Like Me. Now What?

Dr. Zandstra offers many options for the treatment of TMJ or Facial Pain for Alpharetta patients and those in surrounding areas.

How Can I Treat TMJ?

Dr. Zandstra may recommend simple exercises, medication, or dental treatment appliances customized to meet the needs of your specific case. These oral appliances are constructed to control your jaw movement and position your joints properly to ensure minimal pressure. They are custom designed based on your symptoms, and they can be used at nighttime or daytime depending on the course of your treatment and severity.

Surgical treatment is rarely recommended due to the poor success rate and the complicated nature of these joints. Make sure to get a second and even a third expert opinion if you have ever considered a surgical treatment for TMJ disorder. If you are experiencing TMJ pain or TMJ Disorder, schedule a consultation with Dr. Zandstra. As an expert in the treatment of TMJ, she has successfully treated these conditions in many patients in the Alpharetta area.