TMJ / TMD (temporomandibular disorder) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by headaches, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint. It is a problem that affects millions of people, yet many of them do not realize that the pain and / or symptoms are the result of their bite! People who suffer from TMJ have an imbalance in the jaw-to-skull relationship, which is caused by a bad bite (malocclusion).

Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the muscles that move the jaw. TMJ / TMD can be treated with the help of neuromuscular dentistry, which corrects the bite and realigns the jaw. To put simply, neuromuscular dentistry places the jaw into its optimal position, relieving the symptoms associated with TMJ. Neuromuscular dentistry works with the hard tissues and the soft tissues, muscles and nerves.

The first thing to do is to determine the optimal position of the jaw by finding the most relaxed position of the head and neck muscles, and then re-positioning the jaw to achieve those exact measurements. Malocclusion is relatively easy to correct. Treatment options include adjusting the bite (coronoplasty), fabrication of neuromuscular orthotics, or restoring the teeth to the position, which will allow for optimal muscle relaxation thus eliminating the symptoms associated with TMD.

Patients of neuromuscular dentistry experience a range of benefits from decreased or eliminated pain and discomfort to better overall health and longer-lasting dental restorations.

If you have any of the following symptoms you could be suffering from TMD:

• headaches
• jaw pain
• neck, back, and shoulder pain
• tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• joint clicking / popping
• ear pain
• blurred vision
• sinus pain

Call us today to see how we can help you start a pain-free life!