Neuromuscular Dentistry

Neuromuscular dentistry evaluates and treats conditions affecting how your muscles, teeth and joints all work together. We then use this information to correct your bite so that the muscles that control your jaw movement are in the best position for both comfort and function.

If your jaw is misaligned, both your hard and soft tissues are affected and

many problems can result. In many cases, these types of symptoms can

be the result of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). TMD is a broad

term for a collection of jaw conditions characterized by pain in the face,

jaw and teeth, and limitations in jaw movement. Sometimes, patients

develop TMD suddenly, commonly from injury to the head, face or neck.

However, the exact cause cannot always be pinpointed. TMD affects as

many as 60 million people of all ages. Many TMD problems manifest

during teenage years as relentless, sharp pain, chronic discomfort,

or grinding and clenching of the teeth. Some patients live with TMD for

many years before discovering TMD treatment exists.

Many TMJ patients have been treated by various doctors, physical therapists, massage therapists and chiropractors without relief. Unfortunately, these treatments do not address the root of the problem, jaw misalignment. Neuromuscular dentistry, however, treats the cause of your symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.

Signs and symptoms of TMD include:

Headaches
Chipped/cracked teeth
Jaw pain or noise
Teeth grinding
Neck pain
Difficulty swallowing
Shoulder pain
Tingling fingertips
Ringing in the ears
Uncomfortable bite
Limited movement or locking of the jaw
Loose/painful teeth

TMD treatment usually involves:

Relieving muscle spasm and pain by using a Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) unit. The TENS unit uses a rhythmic pulsing motion to relax your muscles by increasing blood flow and pumping out any waste products. The TENS unit also helps with pain relief by increasing your body's production of endorphins, a natural anesthetic.

Stabilizing your bite. Dr. Wang can provide you with a dental orthotic, a temporary device, to wear over your teeth. This device will allow Dr. Wang to make gentle corrections until your bite is stabilized. Once this is accomplished, your bite can be permanently corrected to this position with restorations or orthodontics.