Neuromuscular dentistry is the art and science
of using the relaxed position of the muscles of
the head and neck to place the jaw into an optimal
physiological position. Thirty years of research
and clinical experience have shown this technique
to be effective in treating patients with various
levels of head and neck pain. It is also used
in finding the optimal jaw position before restorative
dentistry and greatly increases the longevity
of restorations and natural dentition.
Myofascial Pain Dysfunction (MDP)
Many suffer from Myofascial Pain Dysfunction
(MDP) and are not sure of the nature of their
condition and how to solve it. You may have heard
other terms that describe this condition such
as TMJ (Tempromandibular Joint) syndrome, Craniomandibular
Dysfunction (CMD) or Tempromandibular Joint Disorder
(TMD).
If you suffer from:
Headaches
Unexplained loose teeth
Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
Cracking, chipping or breaking dental restorations
Pain or soreness around the jaw joints
Pain in teeth that seems to move around
Neck, shoulder or back pain
Facial pain
Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints
Limited movement or locking jaw
Numbness in your fingers and arms
Congestion or stuffiness of the ears
Then we may be able to help you!
The underlying conditions that cause these signs
and symptoms are structural, biochemical, and
emotional. The structural problem is almost always
present and leads to over activation of the jaw,
head and neck muscles. Over a period of time it
can lead to pain, tension, and even spasms.
Tempromandibular joint disorder (TMD), Myofascial
Pain Dysfunction (MPD) or Tempromandibular joint
syndrome (TMJ), is a chronic illness that affects
40 million people at any one time. There are many
people who have no pain but still have occlusal
disease (misaligned bite). Worn, chipped or broken
teeth, broken fillings, changing position or shape
of the smile are all indications that can benefit
from treatment.
To correct TMD or misaligned bite, the jaw is
brought back into a muscularly balanced position,
through sophisticated computer analysis. We use
low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural
Stimulation (TENS) to relax the muscles of the
head and neck and determine a muscularly-oriented
jaw-to-skull relationship. TENS is also used to
relieve pain caused by spasm and tension by releasing
endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers.
We also use TENS to close the jaw in combination
with jaw tracking to find a position that is compatible
with the relaxed muscles. Electromyography (EMG)
is used to objectively look at the electrical
activity in the muscles and sonography (ESG) to
evaluate joint noises.
These sophisticated instruments have been used
in medical specialties for years and are being
used in dentistry to measure muscle dysfunction
of the jaw, a major component in many headaches.
This objective collection of data is then analyzed
and combined with tomographic radiographs (specialized
joint x-rays) to diagnose the problem. An individualized
and precise treatment plan is developed that most
often leads to improvement and or elimination
of pain.
As a chronic degenerative disease, it often takes
years to develop TMD. With new techniques and
the objective computerized data, we have been
able to help many that have been previously unable
to find relief.
We invite you to talk with us about how the neuromuscular
approach to your dentistry can enhance your life!
TMJ Treatment Seattle, Washington
By Dr. Rhys Spoor, D.D.S.
Seattle Neuromuscular Dentist
Use the form below to contact Seattle dentist Dr.
Rhys Spoor. Please indicate which procedure you are
most interested in so that we can better assist you.
We look forward to helping you achieve your dream
smile.
