I love to hear when my work as a cosmetic dentist has so much positive impact on a patient’s life. Here is a thank you I got from a patient and a look at her before and after photos.

Dear Dr. Norman, Thank you so much for my new smile! It’s hard for me to find the words to tell you what you have done for me and how my life has changed since coming to you for help with my teeth. Not only are you a true artist and a compassionate doctor you are someone who believes in her patients even before they sometimes do. You have done more for my confidence and sense of well being than you will ever know… not only did you give me a beautiful smile but you helped me believe I deserved one; and for that I am truly indebted. My new smile is like having a new beginning in so many ways… when I think about how many years I spent feeling self conscious about the way my teeth looked I just can’t believe how good it feels to no longer have that burden. I am now able to smile without trying to hide my mouth or my first thought going to what the other person is thinking about how bad my tooth looks… it’s such a sense of freedom that touches every moment of my day. Since seeing you and having my teeth done I can’t count how many times people have complimented me on my smile. On a weekly basis I get comments like “you have such a nice smile” or “your teeth are so white”. I literally had one person (whom I had never met) walk across a crowded room to me and say “Wow, you have the most gorgeous smile, your teeth are so beautiful”…. I nearly fell of my chair in delight! You and your staff are amazing, your work is exceptional, and I am so thankful to you for everything. Warmest regards, Whitney Hausske

Proud to be featured in Catalyst Magazine

This is a pretty proud moment. Here I am on the cover of Catalyst, a national industry magazine for the dental field. It is a pretty big honor to be featured. You can see the cover and the article beginning on Page 22.

http://www.burkhartdental.com/images/stories/Burkhart/Resources/Catalyst/catalyst_q308_web.swf

Ringing in the ears… might be TMJ

Every once in a while, I am reminded how random the symptoms of TMJ can be. As you know, I am a neuromuscular dentist and I treat Temporomandibular Joint Disorders TMJ/TMD). Is this always characterized by straight up jaw joint pain? Absolutely not.

It takes a neuromuscular dentist to recognize that Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be another symptom of TMJ that is commonly misdiagnosed and often goes untreated or is treated ineffectively. In many cases ringing in the ears is one of the results of having a strained bite in which the jaw is not aligned. The jaw area of the face is a complex network of muscles and nerves, and when the bite is misaligned muscles and nerves throughout the head, including the ears, can be affected.

Tinnitus can also be one of the most alarming and hard to live with conditions a person can have. If you are experiencing a ringing in your ears, please make an appointment with me for a TMJ screening.

Of all the symptoms of TMJ/TMD that we can treat, Tinnitus is the most dramatic. When we relieve a patient of this chronic, irritating, sometimes maddening condition it can be life-changing.