Neuromuscular Dentistry - Attaining a Healthy and Comfortable Bite

Neuromuscular Dentistry

How does your bite (or your occlusion) feel?

When someone asks you how it feels when you bite your teeth together, your response may be "fine." But even if your teeth seem to fit together well, problems can develop if the muscles and joints are overworking. These problems may include:

Uncomfortable Bite
Headaches
Migraines
Stiff or Sore Neck Muscles
Forward head posture
Stiff or Sore Shoulders
Sore Jaw Muscles
Worn Down Teeth
Loss of Attachment Around Teeth
Sensitive or Painful Teeth
Difficulty Opening Your Mouth
Ringing in Your Ears
Ear Congestion
Loss of Hearing
Difficulty swallowing
Dizziness
Tingling in Your Fingers
Clicking or Popping Jaw Joint
Postural Problems
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia

It is important to know that most dentists are not trained to perform neuromuscular dentistry, it is not taught in dental schools. Instead, most, if trained to change the bite or restore the mouth, restore to a position called Centric Relation (CR). This forced position causes the muscles to have to pull the jaw backwards (retrude) so the back teeth can fit together to chew and each time you swallow, many people will find this is a unnatural and uncomfortable position.

When the decision is made to change the bite, Dr. Burghardt only restores to the Neuromuscular Position. This position is very different from CR and instead considers the entire system that controls the positioning and function of your jaw. It establishes a jaw position based on a harmonious relationship between the three main factors affecting occlusion - the teeth, the muscles and the joints. The resulting jaw position is called the neuromuscular bite and creates a comfortable bite.

(SEE TESTIMONIALS)

How is NMD performed?

The secret to a healthy, comfortable, and beautiful smile starts with a sound neuromuscular bite (occlusion).

Neuromuscular dentistry (NMD) begins by relaxing the muscles around the jaw with the use of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation). The TENS unit is a battery operated electrical muscle stimulator that delivers mild electrical stimulus to the muscles of the facial/jaw area, and possibly the neck and shoulder area. This stimulation "exercises" these muscles and causes them to relax. The optimal bite position is determined by utilizing complex jaw tracking (K7) and EMG monitoring equipment to ensure a comfortable bite.

A plastic appliance called an "orthotic" will be made to keep your bite in its new position. The orthotic is a diagnostic appliance used to obtain and confirm a comfortable and stable occlusion, and it may be worn as an interim step to a more permanent treatment. Permanent treatment may include tooth recontouring, neuromuscular orthodontics, restorative dentistry or a combination of these. The end result will be a comfortable neuromuscular bite.

Are you a candidate for Neuromuscular Dentistry?

There are always several options for you to choose from when deciding on dental treatment. After an initial evaluation, we will discuss these options with you. If you are considering major dental procedures such as reconstruction (including cosmetic dentistry), orthodontics, or dentures, or if you suffer head/neck pain or other "TMJ"-like symptoms, establishing a precise occlusion becomes very important, and is the place to start.

Dr. Burghardt has successfully treated many clients utilizing neuromuscular dentistry. Many of these clients were chronic pain sufferers, we were able to put an end to years of debilitating pain. (SEE TESTIMONIALS)