Dr. Lim is a "Physician of the Masticatory System" who excels in transforming smiles and improving oral health. Her expertise includes comprehensive treatments, ensuring patients achieve both aesthetic enhancements and functional stability in their dental health.
Patients seeking full mouth rehabilitation from Dr. Lim often have:
- A desire for an aesthetic change in their smile.
- Show signs of occlusal disease, also known as “instability.” This is often caused by an unbalanced bite, involuntary teeth grinding, clenching or crooked teeth.
- Require extensive dental work.
- Or have a combination of these needs.
Signs indicating a patient has instability include:
- Teeth exhibiting wear, mobility, or migration (teeth shifting positions).
- Breakage or chipping of teeth.
- Increased tooth sensitivity.
- Abfractions are fractures occurring at the gum line.
- Sore or strained jaw muscles.
- Joint instability, characterized by popping, clicking, locking, or crepitus (a grating sound)
What Causes Instability?
These issues can arise from various underlying causes, including problems with the airway, joints, muscles, teeth, or a combination of these factors.
- Airway problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea, can lead to teeth grinding and excessive wear over time.
- Joint issues, like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, can cause the jaw to pop, click, and lock.
- Muscle problems can result in jaw soreness and strain, often due to stress or improper jaw alignment.
- Teeth-related factors, such as misalignment or malocclusion, can lead to mobility, migration, and sensitivity. Additionally, a combination of these issues can exacerbate each other, creating a cycle of instability and discomfort that affects overall oral health.
How Do We Perform Smile Makeovers
Step 1: New Patient Experience
Every patient is unique, so Dr. Lim begins with a thorough evaluation to understand the specific causes and extent of their dental needs and concerns.
A complete dental examination includes:
- Addressing the major complaint and any functional or aesthetic concerns
- Obtaining a thorough medical and dental history
- Conducting a series of questions to gather detailed information about pain and concerns
- Performing an oral cancer examination
- Conducting a muscle examination
- Evaluating the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
- Performing x-rays of teeth and jaw (a radiographic exam)
- Examining a patient’s bite alignment (occlusion)
- Assessing the airways
- Conducting an aesthetic smile analysis
- Performing a tooth-by-tooth analysis
Step 2: Records Appointment
If the patient desires treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) or a new smile, the next step is the records appointment, which involves:
- A photographic series of 21 photos.
- Registration of the bite (upper and lower teeth biting together) while ensuring the jaw joints are in their correct position.
- An Itero scan of the upper and lower teeth, which will be 3D printed into models.
- Joint analysis with a Doppler device to check for any jaw joint issues.
- Additional imaging, such as CBCT or MRI, may be required.
Step 3: Prioritization of Airway Concerns
The first priority is to address any airway issues.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common sleep-disordered breathing condition, causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. This can lead to serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke, depression, anxiety, type II diabetes, obesity, and brain fog. More than 1 in 4 Canadian adults (26%) are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea based on the presence of three or more of the seven risk factors/symptoms.
We recommend that patients conduct a thorough self-assessment to determine whether they may be living with sleep apnea or other airway conditions.
Airway Self-Assessment:
- Do you snore loud enough to be heard through closed doors?
- Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?
- Have you been observed to stop breathing during sleep?
- Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure?
- Is your body mass index (BMI) greater than 35kg/m²?
- Are you over the age of 50?
- Are you male?
If you answered yes to more than half of the self-assessment questions, we recommend that you contact your doctor or our office for support in the next steps.
Several options exist for treating obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Lim is partnered with
SleepWorks to ensure you receive a thorough assessment and treatment. Our team will work with your general practitioner to find the best solution and ensure you remain healthy while you sleep.
Step 4: Personalized Treatment Plan
After addressing airway concerns, Dr. Lim will spend a few weeks in the treatment planning phase. This may include additional laboratory costs to create a mock-up of your new smile. Patients can view a temporary version of their new smile in their mouth before any permanent changes are made. Note: all costs will be discussed before proceeding.
Depending on your needs, symptoms, and aesthetic goals, a personalized treatment plan could include the following:
- Specialized Splints & TMJ Treatment: In certain cases, Dr. Lim may need to fabricate a specialized splint, similar to an orthotic or knee brace, but for your jaw joints. This splint is more advanced than a traditional night guard as it is specifically fitted to your teeth and repositions the joints in their anatomical position, allowing healing to begin before any dental work is completed.
- Restorative Dentistry: Dr. Lim may repair damaged teeth with fillings, crowns, or veneers to restore function and appearance.
- Orthodontic Treatment: Correcting misalignment or bite issues with braces or clear aligners.
- Occlusal Adjustment: Modifying the biting surfaces of the teeth to improve occlusion (the bite and space between your upper and lower teeth).
- Muscle Therapy: Exercises or physical therapy may be included in the treatment plan to relieve muscle strain and improve jaw function.
- Follow-up Care: Regular monitoring and adjustments to ensure the treatment plan remains effective and oral health continues to improve.
Book A Consultation Today
Dr. Lim ensures ample time for questions throughout the treatment process, understanding the significance of this journey. Every detail, including the shape and colour of your new smile, will be thoroughly discussed. Once you provide your final approval, we will proceed with the smile makeover treatment, ensuring you are fully informed and confident with your new smile.
Ready to start your smile design journey? Reach out to us at Garibaldi Crossing Dental today!
