Millions of people each year suffer from common symptoms like headaches, facial pain and jaw pain that may be a result of a common disorder known as TMJ/TMD. Our doctors are skilled in treating this condition using neuromuscular dentistry, a method that is non-surgical and requires no medication.
The “Temporomandibular Joint,” more commonly referred to as the “jaw joint,” assists in the basic opening and closing movements of the jaw. Often times, when your bite is not balanced, the surrounding muscles will work harder each time you chew, swallow and even yawn, which may cause muscle spasms, pain, jaw popping and other symptoms. Neuromuscular dentistry uniquely combines the art and science of dentistry to help achieve optimal jaw placement that will help alleviate the symptoms associated with TMJ/TMD.
If you suffer from any of the following, speak to your dentist about whether neuromuscular dentistry might be beneficial for you.
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Facial pain
- Pain in the neck, shoulder and/or back
- Worn or cracked teeth
- Clicking in the jaw
- Locking jaw or limited movement in the jaw
- Unexplained loose teeth
- Pain in the teeth
- Numbness in fingers and arms
- Congestion of the ears
Treatment
Our doctors and staff are highly skilled in the latest techniques of neuromuscular dentistry. We will work individually with you to discuss your symptoms, goals and treatment options. We believe that good oral health care begins with open communication. We promise to speak candidly with you about symptoms, our diagnosis, alternative treatments that may exist, and our recommendations. Working together, we can achieve a true partnership, with one common goal-keeping your smile beautiful and your teeth, gums and jaw joints healthy!
Our office uses the most state-of-the-art technology to assist us in determining a diagnosis and to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. We use a revolutionary computer analysis scanning technology and Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) to reposition the jaw into a more proper, balanced position. The TENS device works by relaxing the muscles of the head and neck to determine the appropriate relationships between the jaw and skull. In addition, TENS releases endorphins to relieve pain associated with TMJ/TMD. Other technologies we utilize include electromymography (EMG), which looks as the electrical movement of the muscles, and ESG songography to assess the noises in the jaw joints.
After all of these steps have been completed, our doctors will be able to determine the best course of treatment for you. Generally, the first step involves stabilizing the bite by Coronoplasty/Equilabration or using a custom fitted orthotic appliance. Coronoplasty is smoothing or 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. An orthotic is similar to a retainer and is a removable appliance worn on the lower teeth to ensure a proper bite. These non-invasive treatment methods help reprogram the jaw muscles to naturally go into their ideal position, thus eliminating the pain that used to be associated with chewing, swallowing, etc.
Treatment time varies depending on each person’s symptoms. It is important to follow your doctors instructions as to how often and how long you should wear your orthotic appliance. Most often, patients are instructed to wear their orthotic appliance at all times (except when brushing and flossing).
There are a variety of ways to correct your bite in a more permanent way. The most common of these approaches are outlined below:
- Reconstruction - This approach involves making the teeth higher by using crowns/onlays or veneers. This permanently realigns the bite and provides structural support for the jaw.
- Orthodontics (Braces) - Healthy teeth may be moved to the optimal position using braces.