Welcome to Dr. Connor Fitzgerald, DMD Dental Practice

We care for the whole patient, not just the teeth and gums. Led by Dr Connor Fitzgerald, our office in Largo, Florida, supports a beautiful smile and a whole lot more. During regular visits, Dr. Fitzgerald assess the state and condition of the teeth and gum tissues, as well as the health of the jaw. The teeth do not exist on an island. They can be affected by and also influence other tissues, structures, organs, and bodily systems. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction or Disorders embody this notion and require treatment to achieve oral and full-body health. 

 TMDs arise whenever these joints and their related ligaments, muscles, and other “parts” become “stressed.” Many of us tend to carry stress in our jaws. Often, this stress manifests as grinding and clenching of the teeth and jaws. This condition, known as bruxism, can be “nocturnal” (patients don’t realize they are grinding their teeth when they are relaxed and while sleeping). Or, individuals may “brux” during the day. Sometimes, the individuals that we treat have both awake and nocturnal bruxism. 

Our own Dr. Fitzgerald is on the front lines of diagnosing this condition. They may spot telltale signs of nocturnal bruxism during sleep. Because you are asleep, you may not realize you are grinding your teeth. If you are mindful, you can identify awake bruxism. Pay special attention to how you “carry” your jaw when distressed. For instance, when you are stressed while working or when concentrating, you may notice your jaw tense up. That tension can rise up to the temples and neck muscles. 

You may experience chronic headaches or facial pain. For nocturnal bruxers, patients’ partners and spouses may even hear the grinding sounds when they are trying to sleep. Unexplained headaches and pain on the sides of the neck and temples may be present, too. Otherwise, during routine visits, Dr. Fitzgerald may notice things like enamel erosion and excessive wear and tear of the teeth and restorations like crowns. The repetitive force from grinding the teeth can lead to fractures and even a breakdown of the gingival attachments between the teeth and gums. Such damage may require aggressive restorative treatment.

Last but certainly not least, the considerable force placed on the teeth and supportive tissues can alter the shape of your face! The masseter muscles in the lower jaw hypertrophy or become overly “bulked up.” A formerly balanced facial shape can appear as a prominent or overly defined jawline over time.

The muscle-relaxing power of Botox® can be used for more than crow’s feet and expression lines. We precisely, safely, and painlessly inject Botox® into the masseters and other muscles, triggering a process that eases muscle tension. Since our treatments are so precise, you continue to enjoy natural chewing and other functions. With the muscles relaxed, many of our valued guests notice a significant improvement in the frequency and severity of common TMD symptoms like tension headaches and morning fog. 

Oral appliance therapy helps to ease symptoms and prevent damage to the teeth, gums, veneers, crowns, and other restorations and tissues. Our customized night guards and advanced oral appliances provide effective relief:

• Night Guards: Customized to fit each patient’s mouth, these appliances function as a cushion to soften the impact on the teeth from behaviors such as intense grinding and clenching.
• Deprogrammers: Designed for more advanced TMJ treatments, these appliances help relax the jaw muscles and reduce tension, providing further relief from TMD symptoms.

Wake up to the many TMD therapies available at Fitzgerald Dental. Schedule your consultation by calling us at (813) 482-8503.