TMJ/TMD....... Occlusion............. And Neuromuscular Dentistry

A critical component of your dental health is your occlusion. Traditional dentistry assumes that your current bite/occlusion (the way your teeth fit together) is the right bite for you. Malocclusion or
‘bad bite' can develop for many reasons: trauma/injury to the head/neck, airway issues, previous dental work, the wearing down of your teeth over time, the loss of one or more teeth, even your posture can create malocclusion. Malocclusion can
affect you in many ways that you wouldn't normally think of as dentally related. Do You Suffer From Any Of The Following Symptoms? •  Frequent headaches or migraines •  Neck, shoulder, back pain •  Pain, pressure in and about the eyes

•  Sinus problems

•  Ear congestion or earaches

•  Subjective hearing loss

•  Vertigo (dizziness)

•  Habits of grinding, clenching of teeth

•  Pain in and around the jaw and jaw joints

•  Worn/chipped/missing/broken teeth and/or fillings

•  Clicking/popping in the jaw joints

•  Ditched root surfaces of the teeth

•  Limited jaw movement/opening and/or locked jaw

•  Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

How can a Neuromuscular Dentist Help?

Neuromuscular Dentistry is the art and 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. Thirty years of research and clinical experience have shown that this technique is effective in treating patients with varying levels of the symptoms listed above.

Treatment usually involves several phases. First the muscles need to be relaxed in order to find the ideal physiologic rest position. We use an ultra low-frequency TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation) unit to deliver a mild electrical impulse to the muscles, relaxing them by increasing the blood flow and flushing out toxins. This process usually takes 45-60 minutes.

Then we utilise a computerised diagnostic instrument called the K-7 to record muscle activity, joint sounds and jaw position. Once the records are collected, an orthotic (custom, specialised mouth ‘splint') is fabricated to place the jaw in this relaxed physiologic position.

Symptoms may subside right away or in some instances, it may take a few adjustments and require a longer period of wear. Each person is an individual and will respond in their own time. When this phase of treatment is completed, a mutual decision will be made regarding the next phase of therapy. The options available are: 1. Continued orthotic wear, 2. Recontouring of the teeth, 3. Orthodontic therapy, 4. Reconstruction with crowns, veneers, or other prosthetic restorations.

Advanced Dental Care Clinic has a strong focus on the art of Neuromuscular Dentistry and is excited to offer you the best that is available today. So the next time you reach for a Panadol or Nurofen to help with your aches and pains, think what it would be like to be pain-free.

We look forward to improving the quality of your life!!

Occlusion is a major factor contributing to TMD but there are many factors and as a result, there were many philosophies developed to try and explain occlusion and its importance. One philosophy is Neuromuscular and Dr Prabu Raman DDS, MICCMO, LVIM, explains the differences in this article> Click here

For more information please click on www.leadingdentists.com or www.lvidocs.com.