Who Can Benefit from Neuromuscular Dentistry?

Dr. Jean Barthman has dedicated her career to helping dental patients maintain healthy and beautiful smiles. Dr. Barthman achieves this goal by offering a wide range of dental services that allow patients to benefit from a smile that not only looks good, but also one that functions free of pain. To ensure a full range of comfortable oral functions, patients should maintain the health of the teeth, gums, and jaw.

One condition that commonly disrupts the function of the jaw is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorder treatment realigns the bite to relieve tension in the temporomandibular joint. The most effective treatment for TMJ disorder is neuromuscular dentistry. Neuromuscular dentistry candidates can undergo treatment at our Redwood City, CA practice to free themselves of the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder and restore a full range of jaw movement.

Neuromuscular Dentistry Candidates

Neuromuscular dentistry is a revolutionary technique that addresses TMJ disorder by retraining the facial muscles. This non-invasive treatment stimulates the facial muscles by delivering an ultra-low-level electrical pulse. This stimulation retrains the muscles of the face to hold the jaw in proper alignment when the mouth is in its natural resting state. This technique is safe and effective, making it an ideal treatment option for most patients who are suffering from TMJ disorder. Patients that may be ideal candidates for neuromuscular dentistry treatment include those experiencing any combination of the following symptoms of TMJ disorder:

• Pain in the jaw
• Limited range of motion in the jaw
• Lock-jaw or a “popping” of the jaw
• Discomfort when chewing
• Facial pain
• Chronic headaches
• Pain in the neck or shoulders
• Pain in or around the ears
• A ringing in the ears

If a patient is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should schedule an appointment with Dr. Barthman as soon as possible. Dr. Barthman can diagnose the most likely cause of TMJ disorder symptoms, as well as determine whether neuromuscular dentistry is an appropriate treatment option for each patient.

Additional Treatment Options

Neuromuscular dentistry is effective in realigning the bite to eliminate the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder. However, some patients require additional treatments alongside neuromuscular dentistry. To truly ensure that the jaw is in its proper position, some patients may require an orthodontic splint. This is a small plastic appliance that sits over the lower teeth to prevent the top and bottom teeth from rubbing against each other. This small, comfortable device can be beneficial in the treatment of TMJ disorder.

Dr. Barthman also offers a full range of restorative dentistry treatments to repair any dental damage that may be present. These restorative treatments renew the strength of the teeth and promote a healthy bite for our patients.

Schedule an Appointment

If your jaw movement is limited and you’re experiencing symptoms such as chronic facial pain, headaches, and neck pain, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder. To learn more about this condition, and how neuromuscular dentistry treatment can help, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jean Barthman at your earliest convenience.