Dr. Adam Hahn has earned Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

 

Your dentist has earned Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). To earn Fellowship in the AGD, dentists must take more than 500 hours of educational courses in various areas of dentistry. Candidates also must pass a rigorous exam. The award is then presented to general dentists in a formal ceremony. Dr. Adam Hahn is one of only 7 percent of AGD dentists who have achieved this honor. To learn more about this award or the AGD, visit 

www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=G&iid=779&aid=7057.

Smile Columbia “Hope for the Holidays” Food Drive

Smile Columbia is happy to announce that we are sponsoring our first ever food drive, just in time for the holidays!

We would love to have you participate and help us help the needy!

To thank you for helping us meet our food drive goal, for every item donated, we will enter your name in our raffle! You will be entered to win a free digital picture frame!! The more you donate, the better chance you have of winning, so take a peek at the most needed items below and we look forward to seeing you! The drop box is located in the lobby of our office.

We will be accepting donations until December 19th. At that time, we will draw a winner and make the announcement on Facebook. Click here to visit our Facebook fan page! 

New Smile Columbia TMJ Migraine Headache Website

Smile Columbia is pleased to announce the launch of the new website www.tmjtreatmentsc.com.

Neuro Muscular Dentistry is changing lives and relieving chronic pain issues. Both Drs. Paul and Adam Hahn are continuously studying and incorporating into practice the most advanced therapies in dental medicine. Many of our patients have suffered for years with migraines and tmj symptoms, but are now finding relief. Please take a look at our site for more information. If you or someone you know has been told that medication or surgery are the only options there is now hope. We are helping patients eliminate the need for chronic use of pain medication by resolving their underlying problems.

Take a look for more information about:

- Headaches and Migraine Treatment in Columbia, SC
- Worn or Cipped Teeth Treatment in Columbia, SC
- Vertigo or Dizziness Treatment in Columbia, SC
- Clipping and Popping Jaw Sounds in Columbia, SC
- TMJ Pain Treatment in Columbia, SC
- Tingling or Numbness in Fingers in Columbia, SC
- Ear Pain, Tinnitus, or Stuffiness in Columbia, SC

www.tmjtreatmentsc.com

 

Mercury Fillings

This eye-opening video from the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT.org) is worth more than a thousand words when it comes to illustrating the very real danger of mercury fillings. It contains a powerful visual demonstration of how mercury vapors are released into your oral cavity every time you chew, visit the dentist, or drink hot tea or coffee, for example. And these mercury vapors continue to be released for at least 1.5 hours after each stimulation.

The poisonous vapors are odorless, colorless and tasteless, so you can’t tell when it’s happening. But you can be sure that if you have so-called “silver fillings” in your mouth, you’re continuously exposed to mercury, which passes readily through cell membranes, across the blood-brain barrier, and into your central nervous system, where it can cause psychological, neurological, and immunological problems.

Amalgams Are The Number One Source of Mercury Exposure

Dental amalgams are the primary source of mercury exposure in Americans. A single dental amalgam filling releases as much as 15 micrograms of mercury per day. The average individual has eight amalgam fillings and could absorb up to 120 micrograms of mercury per day. For comparison, eating mercury-tainted seafood will expose you to about 2.3 micrograms per day — and that is enough for scientists to call for a worldwide warning!

Unfortunately, while many have become well aware of the dangers of environmental mercury contamination, few are as well-informed when it comes to the dangers posed by dental amalgams.

Sadly, only one in four people is aware that silver amalgams contain mercury, and the dental industry is capitalizing on that ignorance. Part of the problem is that the very name “silver fillings” seems to imply they are made of silver, a misdirection that has kept a good majority of consumers in the dark for a long time. Alas, amalgams consist of more than 50 percent mercury. When confronted about this, the industry response is that the term “silver” is meant to denote the color, not the constitution…

However, SOME dentists have also been actively persuaded to keep this information under tight wraps, and they are under no obligation whatsoever to inform their patients about the mercury content of amalgam fillings. As recently as 2009, the FDA ruled that no warning shall be issued to patients—not even to young women and parents of young children—that the mercury from the amalgam fillings is a reproductive toxin and a neurotoxin, despite the fact that pregnant women and young children are at greatest risk from mercury toxicity.

An Antiquated and Hazardous Dental Tool

In the words of Charlie Brown, president of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry,

“Amalgam is a primitive, polluting, 19th century product that began when physicians were sawing off legs. Medicine has since moved forward.” Unfortunately, this aspect of dentistry has not. The American Dental Association (ADA) continues to give amalgam (mercury) fillings their seal of approval, stating:

“Used by dentists for more than a century, dental amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. It is durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive in comparison to other materials. For those reasons, it remains a valued treatment option for dentists and their patients.”

The height of irony is that dental amalgam is shipped as a hazardous material to the dental office, and any amalgam leftover is also treated as hazardous and requires special precautions to dispose of. Yet, most dentists will readily implant this hazardous material directly into your mouth, with assurances that it’s perfectly safe and harmless!

The Health Hazards of Mercury Fillings

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can damage your brain, central nervous system and kidneys, and mixing it with other alloys and placing it in your mouth does NOT all of a sudden render it harmless… Children and fetuses whose brains are still developing are at greatest risk, but anyone can be affected. Naturally, the more amalgams you have, the greater your risk of experiencing health problems as a result.

In the featured video, they show that: When amalgam was placed in sheep, substantial quantities of mercury spread from the filling and accumulated in the animal’s jaw, liver, kidney and stomach after just 30 days. The sheep’s kidneys also dropped the ability to clear inulin by 60 percent—an indication of kidney malfunction. Antibiotic-resistant dystrophic bacteria was discovered in the primates’ intestinal flora, within just two weeks of receiving mercury fillings.

Mercury fillings damage the ADP-ribosilation of brain neuronal proteins. When amalgam fillings were placed in pregnant sheep, mercury was immediately transferred to the placenta and every part of the fetus. After birth, the offspring’s mercury levels continued to rise as a result of ingesting the mother’s milk. Mercury is especially damaging to your central nervous system (CNS), and studies show that mercury in the CNS causes psychological, neurological, and immunological problems including:

• Arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies
• Personality changes and irritability
• Blurred vision
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Slowed mental response
• Insomnia
• Weakness
• Unsteady gait

To make matters worse, mercury bonds very firmly to structures in your central nervous system. Unless actively removed, mercury has an extremely long half-life of somewhere between 15 and 30 years!

BEWARE! Amalgams Must Be Removed PROPERLY

It should be clear that there’s simply no such thing as a safe mercury filling. However, please do NOT make the mistake of having your amalgam fillings removed by a dentist who is not properly trained in safe amalgam removal. Doing so could expose you to tremendous health risks, due to the large amounts of mercury vapor being released during the removal process.

Research has shown that if you do not take proper safety precautions during the removal process, mercury levels in your blood can rise three to four-fold, which may result in acute toxicity.

SO PLEASE … Make sure to use a dentist that is trained in properly removing mercury fillings. Some things that need to be done to keep you (and your dentist) safe during the procedure include:

• Using a cold-water spray to minimize mercury vapors
• Putting a rubber dam in your mouth so you don’t swallow or inhale any toxins
• Using a high-volume evacuator near the tooth at all times to evacuate the mercury vapor
• Washing your mouth out immediately after the fillings have been removed (the dentist should also change gloves after the removal)
• Immediately cleaning your protective wear and face once the fillings are removed.

Join the Fight to End the Use of Mercury in Dentistry!

During this Mercury-Free Dentistry Awareness Week, we urge you to help spread the word and help educate others by sharing this article with your social networks. Together, we can END the use of toxic mercury in dentistry.

To their credit, half of the dentists in the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada no longer place mercury fillings; they always use mercury-free alternatives; they never use amalgam. Since they have made the transition to mercury-free dentistry, so could the other half. And Consumers for Dental Choice is here to make sure that they do.

Charlie Brown, who runs Consumers for Dental Choice, is headed to Nairobi in October to lead a worldwide delegation participating in the world mercury treaty negotiations. With him will be a team of dentists, consumers, attorneys, and scientists fighting to get amalgam into that treaty. With the world deciding whether we continue allowing mercury in children’s mouths, much is at stake. Here’s what you can do in your nation or state:

Americans: Our #1 problem is the Food and Drug Administration, which has partnered with the American Dental Association to cover up the mercury, to make you think you are getting silver instead of mercury in your mouth. The FDA intentionally conceals the warnings about amalgam deep in its regulation — so parents will never see them. On its website, the FDA gives dentists the green light to continue to deceive consumers with the term “silver fillings”

“Americans are ready for the end of amalgam.” This was the theme of the testimony to the U.S. Department of State on August 18 by former West Virginia state Senator Charlotte Pritt. Yes, Americans are ready. But FDA is not. So let’s send them a message.

Nine months ago, FDA scientists advised the agency to disclose the mercury to all patients and parents, and to stop amalgam for children and pregnant women. Yet FDA sits – sits actually in the pocket of the American Dental Association – ignoring its own scientists.

Please write the Director of FDA’s Center for Devices, Jeff Shuren, jeff.shuren@fda.hhs.gov

Ask Dr Shuren why FDA continues to ignore the scientists and covers up the mercury from American parents and consumers. Ask when FDA is going to get in step with the world on mercury.

Dr. Jeff Shuren, Director Center for Devices, U.S. Food & Drug Admin. 10903 New Hampshire Ave. WO66-5431, Room 5442 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002 Telephone: 301-796-5900 Fax: 301-847-8149 Fax: 301-847-8109

We use no Mercury Amalgam fillings at Smile Columbia. The alternatives we employ are all bonded, tooth-colored restorations. For more information or answers to your questions about safe alternatives to amalgam fillings feel free to contact us here at Smile Columbia.

Dr. Adam Hahn Receives 2011 Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry

COLUMBIA, SC – August 24, 2011 – The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public, is pleased to announce that Adam C. Hahn, DMD, FAGD, of Columbia, SC, received the association’s 2011 Fellowship award during the AGD 2011 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held July 28 to 31 in San Diego, Calif.

The Fellowship award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Hahn completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive exam and fulfilled three years of continuous membership in the AGD. As a recipient of the Fellowship award, Dr. Hahn joins more than 7,000 active AGD Fellows who understand that providing great smiles and good oral health for their patients are the result of going above and beyond basic requirements.

“We are proud to honor Dr. Hahn for his commitment to the profession,” says AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD. “He has distinguished himself professionally among his peers and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to both his fellow dentists and to the members of the community.”

Dr. Hahn graduated from MUSC in 2003 and completed a general practice residency at Palmetto Health Richland. He currently practices dentistry at Smile Columbia, in Columbia, SC. In addition to the AGD, Dr. Hahn is a member of the following dental organizations: The International Congress of Cranio Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO), the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics (IACA), and the Greater Columbia Dental Society (GCDS). Dr Hahn is also pursuing fellowship accreditation at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). This is a rigorous course of study in Neuro Muscular Dentistry, which focuses on cosmetic bite and temporomandibular disorders.

 

About the Academy of General Dentistry

 

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. More than 772,000 persons in the United States are employed directly in the field of dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients’ oral health needs.

Has Soda Sabotaged Your Smile?

According to the American Dental Association, in the last 20 years, the consumption of soft drinks has increased 300 percent. Serving sizes have ballooned from 185 grams in the 1950s to 500 grams in the 1990s. Now that’s a lot of sugar – and a huge detriment to oral health. The average can of soda has approximately 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar, but sugar alone is not the culprit for tooth decay. Carbonic and phosphoric acid in some of your favorite sodas can dissolve the calcium from your enamel.

The result? Softened teeth that are a welcome mat for destructive bacteria; drinking sugar-free soda doesn’t make the beverages any better for your teeth. It’s not just soft drinks that are doing damage to teeth – the popularity and high consumption of energy drinks is to blame as well. The dependence on these beverages begins in youth. Some teenagers consume as many as 12 soft drinks a day, according to the Journal of the Minnesota Dental Association. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service reports that at least one in five kids consumes a minimum of four servings of soda a day. Factor in large serving sizes and thus begins the long road to dental erosion and serious oral health consequences. Long-term consumption of sodas and energy drinks has a cumulative effect on your tooth enamel – the longer you live and the more soft drinks you ingest, the more likely you will be to experience dental problems.

 Maybe you’ve already reached the point of rotting teeth. For some people, soda is their coffee – the kick they need to start the day, keep going in the afternoon, or the pick-me-up sipped all day long. If you’re experiencing more than just cavities as a result of your soda habit, there are solutions for your dental concerns. Contact us to discuss what we can do for your smile makeover, and get you back to good oral health.

What is a Migraine?

What is a Migraine?

The following is an account of the medical model of Migraine…most likely what you may have heard from your physician…which looks at Migraine as an incurable condition that can only be managed with life style changes and prescription drugs.

 

Interspersed are comments about the hope offered through Neuro Muscular dentistry. It is an approach to correct this problem once and for all by dealing with the biggest contributor to Migraines – a poor alignment of the bite …called malocclusion.

 

Medical Definition

 

Migraine is a severe headache, which can last anywhere from two hours to two days. This headache is accompanied by disturbances of vision and/or nausea, extreme pain and vomiting. 



   What follows is a description of Migraine from the perspective of medicine. When you read this account you will notice the following important points: 


•    Migraines are diagnosed simply through reported subjective symptoms

•    There are no medical tests – blood test, x-ray exam etc. to diagnose it.

•    The cause of this condition is considered to be serotonin release….but the cause of that release is attributed to many factors…as you will see below.

•    The glaring omission is the MUSCLES of the head and neck that are either fatigued or in spasm. While the listed factors can contribute to an episode, they are often minor factors ….’the straw that breaks the camel’s back’….that get the “credit” for causing the migraines. The Neuro Muscular cause…the poor alignment of the lower jaw to the upper jaw…..exists all the time….and so doesn’t get the “credit” it really deserves for causing this condition.

•    The other point you will notice is the lack of real solution to migraines. Correcting the Neuro Muscular imbalance…by correctly aligning the bite….takes away that major cause… allowing one to deal with stress, bright lights, loud noise or any of the other aggravating factors in stride. On the other hand, the medical “solution” is to take prescription drugs…with their various side effects and the unending expense…..for ever.

•    It is actually ironic to hear of “migraine prevention” protocol which is to take prescription drugs daily!

•    The Neuro Muscular approach to solving the Migraines is to correct the bite so that prescription drugs are not needed any longer. Once the bite is corrected, it stays corrected….unlike taking prescription drugs that wear out in a few hours.

 

Medical Description

 

Migraines affect over 23 million people, with roughly 75 percent of them being women. Migraines begin with the release of serotonin; a biochemical substance stored in the blood platelets produced naturally in the body. When serotonin is released, the blood vessels constrict (narrow). As serotonin is expelled by the kidneys, its level in the brain is depleted, causing the blood vessels to dilate (expand). This dilation causes pain in the surrounding nerves, which can lead to migraines. 

There are two predominant types of migraines – common migraine and classic migraine. The common migraine develops slowly and may be preceded by tiredness, cravings, yawning, depression, irritability and anxiousness. 

The common migraine usually occurs on one side of the head. The classic migraine develops in four stages – prodrome, aura, headache and post-headache. During the prodrome stage, the person may feel fatigued, irritable, have decreased concentration or experience depression. This stage will develop about 24 hours prior to the aura stage. The aura stage is a slowly expanding area of blindness surrounded by a sparkling edge that increases to involve up to one half of the field of vision of each eye. In addition to the aura, the migraine sufferer may see flashing lights, colors or zig-zags of light, experience a prickly or burning sensation and/or muscle weakness on one side of the body. The third stage is the headache itself, which is usually a severe throbbing pain on one side of the head that is often exaggerated by bright light or noise and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The fourth stage is post-headache, which is characterized by exhaustion and fatigue. 

The classic migraine may occur on one or both sides of the head. The other types of migraines are: hemiplegic migraine, which involves muscle weakness or partial paralysis lasting less than an hour; ophthalmoplegic migraine, which involves temporary eye inconveniences, such as droopy eyelid and pupillary changes, lasting from several days to weeks; basilar artery migraine, which involves neurological spasm lasting for about six to eight hours; and status migraine; which involves a severe migraine attack, lasting longer than 24 hours.

Causes

 

Serotonin release, resulting in a migraine, can be triggered by a number of factors. These factors can be stress-related (such as anger, depression, shock, excitement or changes in routine), food-related (such as chocolate, cheese, red wine or fried foods), or sensory-related (such as bright lights, strong odors or loud noises). Additionally, migraines can be medication-related (medicines including nitroglycerin, lithium and certain anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory and broncho-dilating drugs), or hormone-related (such as menstrual periods, hormonal treatments or birth control pills). Patients often have a family history of migraine. 



 While these factors can contribute to a migraine episode, the biggest contributor is a poor bite relation…from the lower jaw being poorly aligned with the upper jaw. This in turn results in a constant effort by the muscles of the jaw (muscles of mastication) and in turn the muscles of the head and neck…each time the jaws are brought together. This occurs about 2000 to 3000 times each day when you swallow and of course, during chewing. In turn, these muscles become fatigued or go in to spasm (similar to a ‘charlie horse’). Lactic acid, carbonic acid and other metabolite build up in these fatigued muscles due to increased pressure on capillaries preventing normal blood flow. This is a primary trigger of Migraines.

Symptoms

 

The symptoms of a migraine may include: 


•    Throbbing or dull aching pain on one or both sides of the head

•    Nausea

•    Vomiting

•    Diarrhea

•    Changes in how a person sees, including blurred vision or blind spots, zig-zags of light or light flashes

•    Sensitivity to light, noise and odors

•    Tiredness

•    Confusion

•    Nasal congestion

•    Feeling cold or sweating Stiff or tender neck

•    Anxious or restlessness

•    Lightheadedness

•    Tender scalp

•    Cold hands and feet

 

 EACH one of these is also a symptom of TMD (Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction). TMD is very effectively and predictably treated with Neuro Muscular Dentistry.

 

Treatment Options

 

Diagnosis 
No tests are available to reliably diagnose a migraine. The doctor will make a determination, based on a physical examination and a thorough medical history, including triggers, symptoms and family history. 

Treatment 
Treatment of migraines is directed at preventing attacks (prophylactic or preventive therapy) and alleviating them when they occur (abortive therapy). Prophylactic therapy includes:

•    eliminating the controllable triggers, such as chocolate or red wine

•    improving the person’s physical, mental and emotional health by exercising, biofeedback, relaxation techniques, rest and stress reduction

•    taking medications to prevent the onset of an attack

The most widely used preventive drugs are beta blockers, such as propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal), nadolol (Corgard), timolol maleate (Blocadren), atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor, Toprol-XL). Beta blockers have an indirect effect on serotonin, preventing dilation of the blood vessels and decreasing overstimulating impulses from the brain. Other preventive medications include calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil and diltiazem hydrochloride (Cardizem), antidepressants, such as Elavil, aspirin and antiserotonin agents. Preventive medications must be taken every day, whether there is a headache present or not. They will not be helpful if taken only when an attack strikes. Abortive Therapy Once the migraine has set in, there are two methods of reducing the pain: non-drug and drug-based methods. The non-drug methods include:

•    lying in a dark quiet room with a cold compress or rag on the forehead

•    massage or acupuncture

•    using visualization techniques to direct blood flow away from the head putting pressure on the temples

The drug-based treatment includes medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Datril, Panadol, Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn), naproxen sodium (Anaprox), diflunisal (Dolobid), ketorolac (Toradol), sumatriptan (Imitrex) and ergotamine tartrate (Ergostat).

 

 What is glaringly lacking from the above list of treatments is a real solution. Through a scientific approach of measuring the electrical activity of the muscles of mastication (Electromyography – EMG) similar to measuring the electrical activity of the heart through EKG, the proper bite relation is diagnosed. Then by correcting the bite relation the Migraine attacks can become a thing of distant memory!

 

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

 

 

•    What type of migraine is it?

•    Is this a symptom of another condition(s)?

•    What can be done to prevent a reoccurrence?

•    What medications can be taken to relieve the pain?

•    What are the side effects of the medication?

•    Should I keep a supply of migraine medication at home?

•    How long before the pain subsides?

•    Are there things that should be avoided (such as food, bright lights, exercise, etc.)?

 

 These are the suggested questions to ask of your physician. We would add the following: Are there any real solutions that would help me avoid Migraines without having to take prescription drugs for the rest of my life?

If the answer you get is less than satisfactory, let me suggest that you contact us. The first step is an evaluation. This is to see if the malocclusion (poor bite relation) is a primary cause of your Migraines. Only if we have confidence that we can help you, would you be accepted for treatment. If malocclusion is not a primary cause in your particular case, then we will inform you of that. We don’t wish to waste your time, your money and out time.

What do you have to lose…..except your Migraines!

 Call Smile Columbia at 803.781.9090 for more information!

 

Neuromuscular Dentistry

There are three different factors which determine your bite: teeth, muscles and joints.

Neuromuscular dentistry uses modern technology to assess the function (or dysfunction!) of the jaw by evaluating all of these and creating the optimum bite for your jaw structure while creating your new beautiful smile. If you suffer from headaches, ear congestion, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, jaw clenching or teeth grinding, jaw joint pain, and even nervousness or insomnia this treatment can pinpoint the source. In evaluating your teeth, and the muscles and joints of your jaw, you can alleviate TMJ disorders and in the process, get the smile you have always dreamed of. There are various types of muscles located in the face and neck that hold your jaw, control the movement of your jaw, and allow you to chew and swallow; all of which is done subconsciously. If your bite is off, your body automatically strains the muscles of your jaw, working the muscles extra hard. This is why the temporomandibular joints become over stressed and TMD occurs. The goal of Drs. Paul and Adam Hahn at Smile Columbia is to find and restore your jaw to its natural, optimal position. TMJ disorders are eliminated by restoring your jaw to that position where the muscles, teeth and joints are in balance. This takes the pressure off of your joints and overstrained muscles, eliminates jaw or teeth clenching, and allows for your muscles to act naturally, and with no effort, make your jaw function properly.  At the same time this position allows for a beautifully aesthetic smile.

Recently AADR- American Association for Dental Research – an organization almost entirely run by academic dentists issued a TMD policy.  It says, in part, “Studies of the natural history of many TMDs suggest that they tend to improve or resolve over time.”

 That certainly is not the case with the folks that we treat.  They have been suffering for years and even decades before getting help through Neuromuscular dentistry.  Many of these patients have been through a cycle of visits with primary care physicians, neurologists, and pain medicine specialists with no relief for their symptoms.  They are given multiple medications including steriods and narcotics which only mask the pain.

  Here is a story of a Registered Nurse who suffered for many years with jaw pain, jaw clicking and headaches.  Now she is pain free due to Neuromuscular treatment she has recieved from Dr. Prabu Raman, a mentor of Dr. Hahn.  Once the Neuromscular orthotic corrected her bite relation and gave her relief orthodontics were used to move the teeth to the proven, correct position.

 When she heard what the academics said….she asked “What were they smoking?” and “I know that they could not have suffered from TMD to say that”

 Watch her story here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thbTOuZz6Mg

We would love to hear from you.  Give us a call at 803-781-9090.

Neurologists’ diagnoses don’t have to be the “final word”

Don’t readily accept confusing diagnoses from neurologists as the final word. If an oral surgeon says that your jaw joints are “fine” and yet you have facial pain and headaches, don’t accept that as the final word on “TMJ”. These are not the final words, if it means living a life of pain and heavy medications.

No need to keep suffering with migraine, headache, neck pain, back pain, jaw pain, ear pain, TMJ disorder and TMD when the underlying cause is a “bad bite”. It is not just teeth, but a poor jaw, head and neck alignment. It may be hard to believe. But neuromuscular dentistry can actually solve these problems in most cases. So if you are tired of the pain and hate taking medications with no end in sight, there is hope.

Watch this video of one of Dr. Prabu Raman’s actual patients. She is a speech pathologist and a medical patient who suffered through the medical model of treatment until she was exposed to the power of neuomuscular dentistry by Dr. Raman.  It is in 2 parts.

She had been treated by several neurologists who diagnosed her, at different times, with Migraine, Headache, Trigeminal neuralgia, atypical dystonia, SUNCT and Tourette’s syndrome. They tried various medications: Tegretol, Prednisone, Neurontin, Lyrica, Topamax and other anti-seizure and anti-depressant medications without any improvement. There were steroid injections into the back of the neck as well.

She was told that since nothing they tried worked, it must be a psychological issue. She needs to learn to accept it.

Through Neuromuscular orthotic therapy and neuromuscular orthodontic treatment she is 90% pain free and completely off ALL medications. Once the optimal bite was diagnosed through advanced Neuromuscular protocols, moving the teeth along with bone support and gum tissue to this position is called Neuromuscular Functional Orthodontics. This is different from traditional orthodontics where are teeth are moved to give a nice smile. 4 out of 5 patients we treat for TMD had previously had traditional orthodontics.

If you are interested in what Neuromuscular Dentistry can do for you please give us a call here at Smile Columbia.  Dr. Hahn has extensive training in Neuromuscular Dentistry and is committed to helping patients achieve optimal health.

Sedation Dentistry in Columbia, SC

Millions of Americans avoid dental care out of fear or anxiety. The reasons are numerous. Some had traumatic experiences with dentists as children. No matter the cause, failing to seek regular dental care is harmful. It can even compromise your overall health. That’s because your mouth needs ongoing medical attention just as other parts of the body do. It’s dangerous to ignore warning signs such as pain or discomfort in your mouth or anywhere else. Have you been putting off a necessary trip to the dentist? If so, we’re here to help. Dental care no longer needs to represent a frightening journey. Modern dentistry offers many tools and options to make necessary treatments comfortable experiences. An increasing number of patients are choosing sedation care. Sedation dentists like Drs. Paul and Adam Hahn receive training in medication. They also learn ways to approach and calm nervous patients.

Sedation dentistry offers a path free from fear

Many patients at Smile Columbia find being able to relax deeply the key to regular dental visits and good oral health. This level of comfort is called sedation, and it uses commonly prescribed medications. Sedation dentists like Drs. Paul and Adam Hahn receive special training and education. At no point do you sleep during this process, or lose consciousness. You’re able to respond when the dentist ask questions and you remain aware of your surroundings.

If you would like to find out more about sedation dentistry please give us a call at 803-781-9090.  We also have information available on our website at www.smilecolumbia.com