Neuromuscular Dentistry

Do you experience:

• Frequent Headaches
• Neck, Shoulder, Back Pain
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Teeth Clenching or Grinding
• Numbness in arms and fingers
• Pain or clicking and popping in joints
• Pain behind the eyes
• Facial pain
• Ringing or Congestion in the ears
• TMJ 
  

If you have these symptoms, your teeth, jaws and muscles may be in conflict and you may be a good candidate for Neuromuscular Dentistry

Healthy Muscles Work Together in Harmony and are able to Rest more Comfortably!

What Can Neuromuscular Dentistry Do For You?

Every person has a unique jaw and muscle physiology.

A neuromuscular dentist will find your true neuromuscular rest position. This is the position where muscles are relaxed and function most efficiently. Since most pain comes from injured or unhealthy muscles, muscle function normalization greatly reduces painful symptoms.

What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry is the science of using the relaxed position of the muscles of the head and neck to place the jaw in the optimal physiologic position for comfort and function. It is also used to find the optimal jaw position before restorative dentistry, which greatly increases the longevity of the restorations. 

How Does Neuromuscular Dentistry Differ From
Traditional Dentistry?

Traditional dentistry looks only at the teeth and jaws, whereas neuromuscular dentistry considers the muscles that control the jaws, the nerves that control the muscles, and how this relates to the overall body.

Identifying the Rest Position:
Your dentist will use an electrical impulse device to relax the muscles of your head and neck. This process not only relaxes the muscles, but also increases blood flow and flushes out toxins. After about 45 minutes of stimulation, your muscles will be in the ideal relaxed position. This information is then recorded and used to fabricate an orthotic that will allow your jaw to close to this ideal position. An orthotic is a clear appliance that sets in the mouth, over the teeth to even out your bite. Most patients will wear their orthotic for approximately three months, during which time your bite becomes stabilized. With your bite stabilized in the optimal position, muscle activity diminishes which allows for muscle healing and painful symptoms to be alleviated.

How long does it take?

After you have worn your orthotic for 3 consecutive months, you have options as how to proceed. You will make a decision to wear the orthotic indefinitely, have orthodontics done to move your teeth
to this ideal position, have one or two arches of teeth restored to adjust your bite to this position.

Finding a Neuromuscular Specialist
Not all dentists practice neuromuscular dentistry. Therefore, it is important to look for an experienced cosmetic dentist who is highly trained in the science of diagnosing and treating specific neuromuscular problems. An El Centro dentist has the education, experience and skills to treat your neuromuscular symptoms.

Symptoms of Neuromuscular conflicts.

If you have these symptoms, your teeth, jaws and muscles may be in conflict and you may be a good candidate for Neuromuscular Dentistry.