The Treatment Benefits of Neuromuscular Dentistry
Your jaw clicks. It pops. It crunches. It may even lock. You feel soreness or tenderness in the jaw joint and may have problems opening your mouth, yawning, or chewing. Chances are you have a TMJ disorder (TMD), and it's important that you meet with a skilled dentist to have this problem addressed.
Dr. Jean Barthman has helped countless people in the greater Redwood City area, offering advanced TMJ treatment using the latest neuromuscular dentistry techniques. Not many people are familiar with neuromuscular dentistry and how it works, so let's take a moment to go over the basics.
About Neuromuscular Dentistry
Neuromuscular dentistry refers to a specialized field of dental care that is specifically focused on treating TMJ disorders/TMD. The field pays special attention to the relationship between the muscles, nerves, tendons, and bone structure of the jaw. By noting the interaction of these different structures, dentists are able to provide patients with optimal care and fully customized treatments for TMD.
Dr. Barthman has trained in neuromuscular dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). This sets her apart from many other dentists who are treating TMJ disorders in the Bay Area. This expertise and knowledge from LVI translates into healthier patients.
How Neuromuscular Dentistry Works
Neuromuscular dentistry will involve the use of advanced diagnostic technology in order to assess the alignment of a patient's bite. This doesn't just mean the position of the teeth when they are in contact with other teeth. Rather, this means that the jaw joint, the tendons, muscles, and other tissues in motion will be assessed as well.
Ideal Candidates for Neuromuscular Dentistry
Good candidates for neuromuscular dentistry are people who suffer from TMJ disorders, whether relatively minor in nature or quite severe. Since the treatment emphasize proper alignment and tend to be non-invasive at the outset, almost anyone dealing with a TMD can undergo treatment.
Treatments for TMJ Disorders
Common neuromuscular dentistry treatments for TMJ disorders include the following:
- TENSing ("Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation") – Muscle tension tends to be a major contributing factor in TMJ disorders. TENSing delivers low-level electrical pulses to the muscles of the neck, face, and upper back in order to relax the muscle groups that can cause TMJ disorders.
- Orthotic Splints – Also known as bite guards and night guards in some cases, orthotic splints are over your lower arch of teeth in order to reduce points of contact with the upper teeth. This eases the tension caused by clenching of the teeth, which helps relax the structures of your jaw affected by TMD.
Additional therapies may be considered to help address TMJ disorders, such as addressing malocclusion through orthodontic care and/or dealing with teeth grinding (bruxism) and its root causes. By customizing care to the patient and focusing on multiple structures of the mouth and how they work in concert, we will be able to find a proper rest position and bite alignment for you.
Speak with Dr. Jean Barthman About Your Concerns
For more information about treating TMJ disorders and helping you have the healthiest smile possible, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. Dr. Jean Barthman and the entire team at her practice are here to help you achieve the best smile possible.