Traditionally, dentistry has focused on the teeth and the gums. This is what people have come to expect of dentists for the past 150 years. Nevertheless, a
neuromuscular dentist looks not only at the teeth and gums, but includes an expanded diagnostic assessment,
looking also at how the teeth influence the relationship between the upper and lower jaws and the muscles that connect them. Neuromuscular Dentistry bases much of its success on getting the muscles and nerves to co-exist correctly with your teeth and joints. Neuromuscular Dentistry is concerned with the dynamic relationship of the jaws, the range of motion of the joints, and keeping muscles of the head and neck relaxed during function.
Symptoms of a Neuromuscular Problem

While teeth are a vital part of this relationship, their optimum performance and function is based on how well muscles work together. Determining the correct jaw position or posture is done using scientific methods and sophisticated techniques such as Electromyography, Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (or TENS), and Craniomandibular Scanning. We objectively measure muscle function to determine proper jaw posture, its movements and function. We determine the optimal resting posture of your jaw. This is done by using advanced medical equipment to relax the muscles that support and move the jaw. We can then proceed with one of several different options to temporarily or permanently keep your jaw in this relaxed position. Once the muscles are relaxed, the muscle spasms cease, and patients find the headaches, neck aches and other symptoms just disappear, usually within hours or days.

You can think of the neuromuscular problem in this way: Imagine using your finger to reach back and touch your shoulder blade. While this is not difficult and would normally cause no pain, imagine doing this same task 2,000 times a day. Can you imagine the muscle pain that would result from this seemingly easy task? Now picture yourself closing your teeth together so that they meet with an improper bite. While this also may not seem like it would be a difficult task, most of us bring our teeth together each and every time we swallow - usually 2000-2500 times a day. Doing this each and every day, year after year, it is easy to understand how muscles can eventually protest and react by going into spasm as they are forced to lift the lower jaw into an improper position.

It is important that you don't automatically think that an "incorrect bite" means "crooked teeth". The majority of our patients with incorrect bites have straight teeth with very pleasing smiles.

The assessment of an improper bite is a FUNCTIONAL term and advanced neuromuscular training is needed to accurately assess the possible muscle strain and/or spasm that may be induced by your particular bite.

Headaches are often caused because of the muscle tension and muscle spasm that result when the skull and the lower jaw are misaligned. What does this misalignment look like? The patient on the left is an example. You can see that they have straight teeth and appear to look normal. Only a dentist who has special training and experience can identify that this patient has jaw misalignment causing severe headaches.

The patient on the right is actually the SAME patient after this misalignment has been corrected and their headaches relieved. This patient has elected to have their misalignment corrected with beautiful porcelain crowns. Though beautiful, this is only one of several options that can be employed to correct a misaligned jaw relationship. To see the extent of the change, it may help to notice the black line which indicates the distance between the upper and lower gums on each picture.

Without the harmonious balance of teeth, facial muscles and jaw joints, people can develop the painful symptoms known as Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). For some people it can cause severe head and neck pain and other symptoms. Fortunately some patients experience no recognizable evidence of discomfort. Yet, both groups find that neuromuscular therapies can also enhance facial beauty. After this relaxation of muscles and removal of tension occurs, some people think our patients have actually received a facelift!

What others have experienced!
Read Remarkable Stories or Watch a VIDEO to learn more.

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