TMJ & Sleep Therapy
Available at our Grant Park location!
The TMJ & Dental Sleep Therapy Centres are dedicated to the treatment of Craniofacial Pain, Primary Headaches, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ), Snoring, and Sleep Related Breathing Disorders including Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adults and children for over 10 years.
The practice is one of over 50 TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres spanning 7 countries including the Craniofacial Pain Centre at the University of Tennessee. We are also excited to announce that we have established a Pediatric Division at both TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres.
The philosophy of the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre is consistent with the scientific literature that documents the coexistence of Sleep Disordered Breathing and TMJ disorders. We recognize that jaw problems are often only a symptom secondary to a greater problem affecting the body, much like fever is secondary to the common flu, and in the absence of an acute injury to the head or face, the primary cause of jaw problems is frequently an unidentified sleep breathing issue like Sleep Apnea.
Sleep Apnea (suffocation) is defined as an absence of breathing during sleep. A common reason for this medical condition is a poorly positioned jaw and/or tongue that can lead to a blocked airway. There is a 70% overlap between Snoring and Sleep Apnea in adults and children. At the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre, we believe that a proper diagnosis and emphasis on origin, not symptoms, is the key to successful treatment. We can provide successful treatment with nonsurgical therapies for pain relief, rehabilitation and the proper breathing required for restful sleep. And yes, children often suffer with a TMJ Disorder (TMD) and difficulties with airway and breathing.
In fact, comprehensive research has shown that mouth breathing and myofunctional habits are the real cause of malocclusion resulting in orthodontic problems. We are excited to announce the new Pediatric Division at the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre.
WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL ORTHODONTICS?
Functional orthodontics involves more than just straightening teeth. It involves understanding and evaluating the relationships between the teeth, the jaws and how we breathe. Dr. Lawson is skilled in the design, application and control of functional appliances such as ALF (Advanced Lightwire Fuctionals), dental arch expansion appliances and other orthopaedic appliances that combined with braces will bring the lips, teeth and jaws into proper alignment.
STABILIZATION OF AIRWAY AND TMJ
Airway and TMJ stabilization first involves identifying and expanding narrow upper jaws so the lower jaw can be moved to a healthy functional position. This is accomplished with orthopaedic appliances that gently create an improved upper arch form. This also provides more space for the tongue that not only maintains the arch expansion but improves breathing.
Dr. Steve Lawson DMD
Dr. Steve Lawson graduated from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Dentistry in 1986. While general dentistry was initially his focus, he soon developed a keen interest in Orthodontics and the dynamics of the growing face.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHILDREN
Dentofacial Development and Your Child’s Health. The overall health and wellness of a growing child is every parent’s concern. The growth and development of your child’s face and mouth is directly linked to his or her systemic health and wellness during formative years into adulthood. The mouth takes in nourishment and the breath of life. As such the skeletal and muscular structures that support the mouth and the airway should be evaluated from an early age on a regular basis.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
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DOES THE CLINIC HOURS FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?Your dental appointment should be able to work around your schedule. Taking off work or school for dental services shouldn't be the only option. LifeSmiles Dental Corp is open when you need them, 6 days a week including early mornings and late evenings.
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HOW FAR IS THE DENTAL CLINIC?Does location really matter? Of course! The location can change your appointment from a one hour turn-over-time to a three hour trip. Especially if you have to consider buses, rush hour traffic, and/or if you're traveling with kids. LifeSmiles Dental has 6 convenient locations across Manitoba, with multiple clinics in Winnipeg.
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HAVE YOU CHECKED THEIR REVIEWS?Always, always, always check a dentists online reviews! Reviews are a reliable source and will give you intel on how the clinic is operated. Google My Business, Facebook Reviews, and Yelp are great sources.
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DO THEY PRACTICE PAIN-FREE DENTISTRY?LifeSmiles Dental Corp offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation to manage your pain and stress levels or you can go the traditional route of local anesthetic and still feel no pain. When you visit our clinic, please mention if you suffer from anxiety or are generally nervous about dental procedures. We will come up with the best plan of action, to make you feel the most comfortable.
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HOW DOES THE DENTAL CLINIC HANDLE INSURANCE?Financial surprises aren't usually fun. If your dentist or the administrator is being vague about fees or their insurance procedure, it's a red flag. Don't continue with services until you know the breakdown of costs. At LifeSmiles Dental before we start a procedure we'll give you a cost-estimate so that you know approximately how much the treatment fees will cost. If you like, once we have a treatment plan and the cost we can check with your insurance company to see what is covered. This way we can submit your claim to your insurance company immediately if we have all the information we need. Sometimes, if this information isn't readily available, you'll have the choice of either delaying treatment until we have 100% of the information or beginning treatment right away on a pay-as-you-go basis. In order to make this decision easier, a LifeSmiles Treatment Coordinator will be happy to take the time to go over your insurance coverage and give you a better idea of what your best payment approach might be. Please contact us for more information.
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WHAT IF YOUR INSURANCE DOESN’T COVER THE DENTAL WORK YOU NEED?They should have alternate financing options. LifeSmiles has several different interest-free payment plans to make it easier for you to get your dental work done when you need it.
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DOES THE DETNAL CLINIC HAVE AMPLE FREE PARKING?You shouldn’t have to pay for parking for the privilege of going to get your dental work done. LifeSmiles offers free parking at our various locations. Most of our locations are near major bus routes as well.
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DO THEY EXPLAIN YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HOW IT WORKS TO YOU, OR DO YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT TO THEM?"LifeSmiles has a dedicated treatment coordinator to help you understand your insurance, including what it covers and how it works.
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CAN THEIR DENTISTS FIT EMERGENCY PATIENTS IN IF YOU CHIP A TOOTH, LOSE A FILLING, HAVE SEVERE PAIN, ETC.?"If a clinic only has 1 or 2 dentists, they will have trouble fitting in a real emergency. LifeSmiles has 5 dentists on staff and can usually handle your situation that same day.
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DO YOU HAVE TO GO ELSEWHERE TO GET MUCH OF YOUR DENTAL WORK DONE?If a convenient location is important, do you want to drive all over the city to get your dental work completed? LifeSmiles has lots of dentists on staff, each providing their own experience and expertise. This allows us to perform almost all of the oral health procedures you will require. Together, we bring over 50 years of experience to your dental care.
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DOES THE DENTIST'S SUPPORT STAFF SHOW SINCERE CARE FOR YOUR COMFORT AND WELLBEING?Some of your time will be spent with staff other than the dentist. Their skill and attitude can greatly affect your dental experience. At LifeSmiles, our support staff will make your visit as comfortable as possible.
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ASK ABOUT THEIR TECHNOLOGYDental equipment and technology is always evolving, don't be shy to ask how advance a clinic is. For example, LifeSmile's newly installed digital X-ray reduces radiation! We are one of the first offices in South Winnipeg to offer this service. We even offer state-of-the-art sterilization practices and laser whitening dentistry. These perks aren't available at every clinic, so it's always best to double check.