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Neuromuscular Dentistry can help alleviate symptoms such as headaches, neck and
shoulder pain, jaw pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
The majority of Americans suffer from one or more of these symptoms, and unfortunately in many
cases these patients' symptoms are either misdiagnosed or dismissed as having no physiological
cause. In a number of cases, these symptoms can actually be attributed to
TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder)
or MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction). These terms are just different names for the same group of
symptoms
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To put it simply, neuromuscular dentistry places the jaw into its optimal position, relieving the
symptoms associated with TMJ. While traditional dentistry evaluates primarily the teeth, bones,
and gums, neuromuscular dentistry works with the hard tissues and the soft tissues, muscles and
nerves. Neuromuscular dentists understand that your hard and soft tissues have a complex relationship
and work to make that relationship a harmonious one. Neuromuscular dentists understand the necessity
for including the power source (muscles) and the controls (nerves) which create the movement, pressures,
and function of the mouth.
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When the jaw is misaligned, both the hard and soft tissues are affected and many physiological problems
can result, such as headaches, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain, tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, and
clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint. In a number of cases, these symptoms are the result of TMJ
(temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or MPD
(myofascial pain dysfunction).
TMJ / TMD is a chronic degenerative disease that often takes years to develop. TMJ affects millions of people.
People who suffer from TMJ have an imbalance in the jaw-to-skull relationship, which is caused by a bad
bite (malocclusion). |
TMJ / TMD Treatment
Neuromuscular Dentistry serves to correct the bite and realign the jaw.
First the dentist determines the optimal position of the jaw by measuring the relaxed position
of the head and neck muscles, and then repositions the jaw to achieve those exact measurements.
Malocclusion is relatively easy to correct. Treatment options include adjusting the bite, orthotics,
orthodontics, or restoring the teeth to their correct positions.
Once your neuromuscular dentists has diagnosed you with TMJ, he or she can determine the best course of
treatment for your specific needs. Typically treatment will follow three steps:
- Relieve muscle spasm and pain.
The immediate concern for neuromuscular dentists is to provide relief of
your symptoms. The best way to do this is by using a technology called ULF-TENS.
ULF-TENS stands for Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation,
but don't let this term intimidate you. Basically, ULF-TENS is a way to relax muscles
with a gentle massage of the muscles. The rhythmic pulsing relaxes the muscles by
increasing blood flow and pumping out waste products. ULF-TENS also helps with pain
relief by stimulating the body's production of endorphins, the body's natural anesthetic.
- Stabilize the bite.
Often for this step a temporary device, known as an orthotic is worn over the teeth.
The orthotic allows your neuromuscular dentists to make easy adjustments to the plastic
without adjusting the teeth until the bite is stabilized. Once symptoms are relieved and
the bite has been stabilized, your dentist will move on to the next step and permanently
adjust your bite to the correct position.
- Long-term management.
There are a variety of ways to correct your bite in a more permanent way. Four of the most
common of these approaches are outlined below:
- Coronoplasty
Coronoplasty is smoothing and reshaping the enamel of the teeth to correct your bite.
It is a simple procedure that does not require anesthesia and can be used when the
bite is only slightly misaligned.
- Removable Overlay Partials
These are permanent orthotics that usually fit over the back teeth and are designed to
maintain an aligned bite.
- Reconstruction
This approach involves making the teeth higher by using crowns. This permanently
realigns the bite and provides structural support for the jaw.
- Orthodontics (Braces)
When the teeth are healthy they may be moved to the optimal position using braces.
Benefits
Patients of neuromuscular dentistry experience a range of benefits from decreased or
eliminated pain and discomfort to better overall health and longer-lasting dental restorations.
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