Neuromuscular Dentistry:
Places the jaw into its optimal position relieving the symptoms associated with TMJ including:
- Headaches/Migraines
- Facial, neck, and shoulder pain
- Sensitive, sore, worn, and cracked teeth
- Limmited jaw movement or locking jaw
- Clicking or popping in the jaw joints
Do you suffer from these symptoms? Call us today to schedule a consultation!
What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
The way that your upper and lower teeth come together (your bite or occlusion) is part of a system of teeth, muscles and joints. If your teeth do not fit together properly (misaligned bite), the muscles and joints accomodate - work to get them together. A misaligned bite often leads to muscles that are overworked when they should be relaxed, leading to various painful conditions.
Neuromuscular dentistry considers the entire system that controls the positioning and function of your jaw. The neuromuscular dentist seeks to establish a jaw position based on a harmonious relationship of the three main factors affecting occlusion - the teeth, muscles and jaw joints. The resulting jaw position is called the neuromuscular bite.
How is NMD performed?
To provide you with an optimum bite that gives you a beautiful smile as well as healthy muscles and joints, Dr. Malick will evaluate and study the complex relationship between your teeth, jaw joints and muscles. Then, Dr. Malick will apply neuromuscular principles to build your bite.
It begins by relaxing the muscles around the jaw with the use of a TENS device (Myomonitor). The Myomonitor is a battery operated electrical muscle stimulator that delivers mild electrical stimulus to the muscles of the facial/jaw area, and possibly the neck and shoulder area, to "exercise" these muscles and cause them to relax.
Dr. Malick may also perform tests using computerized technology that provide very detailed information about the status of your muscles and joints. These tests give us a "picture" of what is happening with your muscles and joints.
Computerized Mandibular Scanning or Jaw Tracking allows us to measure and study the pattern of the jaw opening and closing through it's full range of motion. Electromyography (EMG) tests provide information on the activity of key muscles that control the jaw during various functions as well as at rest.
This information is then used in the diagnosis to assist in determining the precise point at which your jaw should be in relation to your upper teeth.
Once we have determined where your new bite should be, you will be given a plastic appliance called an "orthotic" to keep your bite in its new position. You may wear this orthotic as an interim step to a more permanent treatment.
Are you a candidate for NMD?
There are always options for you to choose from when deciding on dental treatment. After an initial evaluation, we will discuss these options with you.
If you are considering major dental procedures such as reconstruction (including cosmetic dentistry), orthodontics, dentures, or if you suffer head/neck pain or other "TMJ" like symptoms, establishing a precise occlusion becomes very important. This is when choosing neuromuscular diagnostic techniques can have a positive and long-term impact on the outcome of treatment.
Contact us today to find out if NMD is for you. We can answer your questions and provide you with additional information that can give you more in-depth knowledge of Neuromuscular Dentistry and your treatment options.
www.leadingdentist.com
(239) 596-3434