Dr. Ami Barakat

Cosmetic, General and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

TMD Aches vs. Actual Migraines

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Some symptoms of TMD, (temporomandibular joint disorder), and migraines are quite similar. Both TMD and migraines can cause discomfort to such a degree your ability to participate in normal daily activities is affected. A neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Ami Barakat can determine whether TMD may be the cause of your migraines, or another cause exists. If TMD is the cause, several TMD treatment options are available to correct the jaw misalignment typical of this disorder, and provide you with relief.

An Actual Migraine

A migraine headache is a type of vascular headache; in other words, the pain you feel is caused by an enlargement of blood vessels, which in turn causes chemicals from nerve fibers to be released. These nerve fibers, which coil around the brain’s large arteries, are stretched, resulting is inflammation, throbbing pain, and further artery enlargement.

TMD Headaches

The discomfort of temporomandibular joint disorder can migrate into neck and shoulder pain, tingling in the fingertips, nausea and more. TMD headaches may last for days at a time.

TMD, like migraines, is treatable and most patients enjoy good results. The goal of TMD treatment is the realignment of the jaw. Using diet, jaw exercise, orthodontics, orthotics, the TENS Unit and the K7 System, among other things, TMD symptoms can be alleviated or eliminated.

At Dentistry @ Main, serving Ottawa, Kanata, and Stittsville, Ontario, Dr. Barakat specializes in treating TMD. Schedule your free consultation when you contact our office today.

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The Relationship between Tinnitus and TMD

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Tinnitus and TMD are different disorders, yet they often exist together.

Tinnitus is persistent ringing in the ears. One culprit is the misalignment of the tiny bones in the ear, perhaps from a head injury.

TMD, an acronym for temporomandibular joint disorder, is a misalignment of the jaw. Two small ball and socket joints, the temporomandibular joints, on either side of the face allow the mouth to open and close smoothly, so you can eat, speak, and yawn without discomfort. If the temporomandibular joint becomes misaligned, a variety of symptoms may be felt, from tingling in the fingers to migraine headaches and more, including movement of the delicate bones in the ear, resulting in tinnitus.

Ottawa neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Ami Barakat offers a variety of treatments to relieve the symptoms and discomfort of both TMD and tinnitus. Depending on the severity of your condition, Dr. Barakat may recommend a specific diet and exercises for the jaw area, as well as the application of heat or ice to relax muscles and reduce pain. A custom orthotic bite guard will prevent teeth grinding during sleep, and may go a long way toward reducing pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen can also offer relief. Restorative dental procedures and orthodontics can correct missing, gapped or crooked teeth that may contribute to your symptoms.

Regardless of the treatment Dr. Barakat recommends, we always use the most advanced neuromuscular dentistry technology, including state-of-the-art computerized jaw tracking technology, called the K7 system. Once Dr. Barakat accurately identifies the cause of your condition, he can recommend the treatment that suits you best.

If ringing in your ears or jaw pain is impacting your quality of life, please contact Dentistry @ Main today. We serve patients in Ottawa, Kanata, and Stittsville, Ontario.

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What Causes TMD?

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

If you feel discomfort or the sensation of a click in your jaw when you eat, talk or yawn, you may have temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. This disorder is also sometimes referred to as TMJ. As many as 15% of Americans suffer from this condition.

At Dentistry on Main, Dr. Ami Barakat offers a thorough examination of your teeth, mouth, gums and jaws to determine your overall oral health and provide early intervention as necessary for disorders like TMD.

What is TMD?

On either side of your jaw is a small ball and socket joint. This joint works much like a hinge, allowing your mouth to open and close smoothly while chewing, talking, and yawning. When the muscles become fatigued, damaged or diseased, TMD can result.

Although doctors are still unsure as to the exact cause of this disorder, TMD can have its roots in:
• A misaligned bite
• Arthritis
• A severe injury to the jaw
• Teeth grinding
• Dislocation of the disk between the jawbone and jaw socket

Can TMJ Be Cured?

TMD is very treatable. Dr. Barakat is a specialist in neuromuscular dentistry, a field of dentistry dedicated to treating conditions which result from a misaligned jaw. Dr. Barakat offers several of the most advanced TMD treatment options, including a TENS unit to relax your jaw and relieve pain, K-7 computerized jaw tracking technology, and others to accurately identify your condition and recommend the ideal treatment. A custom orthotic bite guard may be needed to prevent teeth grinding while you sleep. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, can help.

Please contact Ottawa neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Barakat today to schedule your free consultation at Dentistry @ Main, serving Ottawa, Kanata, and Stittsville, Ontario.

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Questions about Pure Power Mouthguard™

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

How does Pure Power Mouthguard™ help athletes?

The PPM is designed to keep the jaw in its optimal or most relaxed position. By keeping your jaw relaxed and the temporomandibular joint unstressed, your whole body benefits with increased oxygen flow, better vertebral alignment, and muscle response. Strength, balance, flexibility, and range of motion can increase and help you in any athletic field.

What is the difference between PPM and traditional mouth guards?

The PPM can still be worn for protection, but it goes beyond that by promoting increased comfort, durability, and levels of performance. It is custom-made so that your jaw is in the best position it can be to allow the benefits of increase oxygen and relaxed facial and jaw muscles.

Is PPM only for certain athletes?

PPM can be worn by any athlete that feels their performance has hit a plateau, but wants to go farther. Both athletes who play contact sports, such as football, hockey or rugby, and athletes who run marathons, golf, or bicycle may benefit from PPM. Even those who do general fitness regimens may see an increase in their performance with PPM.

If you have other questions about PPM and are in the Ottawa, Ontario area, please contact experienced neuromuscular dentist Dr. Ami Barakat for an initial consultation.

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Candidates for PPM™

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

If you play contact sports, you probably already know you should wear a mouth guard – and you probably already do. If you play golf, run marathons or compete in triathlons, or do another activity that is non-contact, you may not wear a mouth guard, but still wish your performance was better.

For all athletes, the Pure Power Mouthguard™ can help with performance. This is a custom-fitted mouth guard with more than just protection in mind. Using the same ideas that are used in neuromuscular dentistry for sports, those who use PPM may find they can run and hit farther, jump higher, lift more, and do all of this with less exhaustion. By keeping the jaw in its ideal position, your face and jaw muscles are less tense and more oxygen is getting into your blood stream.

Specific athletes will benefit in the following ways:

  • Basketball – Balance, endurance, and agility
  • Baseball – Core balance, range of motion, and internal rotation
  • Boxing – Speed, reaction time, and balance
  • Cycling – Better alignment and endurance
  • Football – Speed, strength, endurance, balance
  • Golf – Core balance, reduces tension
  • Hockey – Balance, strength, and endurance
  • Running – Stamina, speed and recovery time
  • Swimming – Posture, body alignment, endurance

If you are just looking for help with your general fitness regimen, PPM can help by increasing your endurance, which lets you work out longer.

If you would like to learn more about being a candidate for PPM and are in the Ottawa, Ontario area, please contact experienced neuromuscular dentist Dr. Ami Barakat today.

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What is PPM™?

Friday, July 16th, 2010

If you are an athlete or simply lead an active lifestyle with regular exercise, you know that the way you perform can give you an edge over your opponent, whether it’s another team or beating time or limits of strength. If you can outlast your opponent with endurance and strength, the chances are good that you will come out ahead.

The Pure Power Mouthguard™ is a custom-fitted mouth guard that can be used by any athlete to improve their performance. This is done using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry and can be fitted in Dr. Barakat’s office.

The PPM works by keeping your jaw in the ideal resting position. This allows for more oxygen, keeps the facial and jaw muscles relaxed, and can improve:

  • Balance
  • Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Strength

Football, soccer, and basketball players, as well as baseball players, runners, and other track athletes will all find PPM a boon to their sport.

Many famous athletes use PPM. These include Shaquille O’Neal, Terrell Owens, Bode Miller, and Manny Ramirez. At the beginning of the 2009 football season, the New Orleans Saints began using PPM and they wound up winning the Super Bowl.

If you are an athlete or simply want better performance when you exercise, please contact Ottawa, Ontario area neuromuscular dentist Dr. Ami Barakat for an initial consultation about how PPM can help you.

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Welcome to the Blog of Dr. Ami Barakat

Friday, May 14th, 2010

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