NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTRY

Modern dentistry is about much more than improving the appearance of a smile.  Advances in the science of complete dentistry have taught us how to bring the jaw into a relaxed position to help alleviate years of pain and discomfort.   

Neuromuscular dentistry uses the relaxed position of the muscles of the head and neck to place the jaw into an optimal physiologic position.  Twenty-five years of research and clinical experience have shown this position to be effective in treating patients with head and neck pain. 

Who is affected?

Tempromandibular joint disease (also known as TMD or TMJ) affects 75 million people at any one time.  It is a chronic degenerative disease that may take years to develop.  People who suffer from TMD have a structural imbalance in their jaw-to-skull relationship, caused by a bad bite.  This disease causes the following: 

• Alteration of the position of the tempromandibular joint by placing excessive pressure on the joint and tissues around them.

• Twisting the jaw into a strained position.  This further affects the muscles in the face, back, neck and shoulders.

 What are the symptoms?

You may be a candidate for neuromuscular dentistry if you experience any of the

following symptoms on a regular basis: 

• Headaches or migraines
• 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, stuffiness or ringing of the ears

How can you help me?

Dr. Singleton is well trained and highly capable of treating the neuromuscular symptoms of a patient with a poor bite (malocclusion).  Following a comprehensive examination, Dr. Singleton may diagnose malocclusion and recommend a treatment plan that will correct your bite and alleviate pain and discomfort. 

To correct this malocclusion, Dr. Singleton may recommend the use of dental restorations that can precisely raise or lower areas of your bite to create a naturally comfortable position for your jaw.  In most cases, we can reposition your jaw without surgery or braces, and complete the treatment in a few short weeks. 

What technologies do you use in neuromuscular dentistry?

The treatment process involves using the Myotronics K7, a sophisticated computer program to record and interpret tempromandibular joint sounds, masticory (chewing) muscle activity (EMGS) and the path of movement the jaw follows in function.  Dr. Singleton may also request specialized jaw joint x-rays, called tomographic views, to actually see the position of the jaw in a variety of resting and active positions.  The results of these tests allows us to find the most relaxed position for the jaw to create your best possible bite for comfort and appearance. 

How will I look following the treatment?

We find that many patients experience a moderate to significant change in their facial appearance following completion of the treatment.  Patients with recessed lower jaws may have a new profile, accenting a stronger jaw line and chin.  Areas of the jaw that may have protruded excessively will be pulled back in alignment.  In addition, all of the restorations necessary to correct the bite will be created with consideration to the aesthetic result of the smile.  Not only will this procedure correct pain, it will give patients the smile they have always dreamed about.

Patient Testimonial:

 Finding a dentist who knew how to repair my broken teeth and who was willing to work on the problems my bite was causing had been a long- term struggle. Through a friend I learned about the restoration work Dr. Alan Singleton was doing. Since I had been a dental lab technician I probably came into the search for a qualified person with more knowledge than most dental patients. I wanted my teeth fixed not replaced with dentures. I knew the importance the root of the tooth plays in the health of the bone structure of my mouth and would not settle for midi occur work.

 Before beginning Dr. Alan asked a lot of questions and took an impressive set of pictures of my teeth. Seeing them on the computer screen gave me a bird’s eye view of my mouth. At that moment I wasn’t sure the damage could be successfully repaired. I had no idea how much he would be able to help me. First to be repaired was the most recent broken tooth, a molar on my lower jaw. When I left his office following the seating of the new crown I had a small booklet to read. My instructions were to read the information and let him know if any thing seemed familiar. My teeth were badly worn from the many years of night grinding and teeth clinching.

 Shortly after reading the handout I called Dr.Singleton to tell him I was waking up with severe earaches that I believed was caused from clinching my teeth while I was sleeping. A new set of appointments was made. The tens unit electrodes were attached to my head and neck. I could not fathom that this strange mechanical device connected to a computer would be able to do anything for me. I was wrong. What I learned was that my worn teeth were allowing my jaw to close too much and that caused pressure at the joint near my ear. Dr.Singleton recommended an appliance on my lower teeth. The acrylic would create space between my jaws making a more natural position for my lower jaw. It all sounded great but I still was not convinced that it would work. The distance between the upper and lower teeth the new appliance would create was small. A couple of weeks later I came home with the new addition to my mouth. I was to wear it all the time. Eat with it and sleep with it.

 I followed the instructions even though it meant I had to clean the thing after every meal and snack. My tongue treated it like a new toy. The first benefit I noticed was that my mouth was no longer dry all the time. By the time I came in for the check up to see that it was correctly fit I was no longer waking up with earaches and it seemed the constant ringing in my ears was not as loud as it had been. About a month later as I watched television I realized the sound was too loud. After turning the sound down I put a finger on first one ear then the other.  For the first time in many years the sound was coming into both ears nearly equal. Could the appliance have made the difference? Gradually my sinus drainage diminished and I began to wonder if this little piece of acrylic was a miracle in disguise. I can’t remember a time when my sinuses have been so clear. Sure, when I get a cold my nose runs. But, now it doesn’t run all the time. I no longer dread the airplane flight to see my grandchildren. As the plane lands the pressure in my ears equalizes naturally now. Today the ringing in my ears is so slight I don’t even notice it. How many of these benefits can be attributed to the appliance I can not say. I just know I do not want to be without it, even if I have to wash it after every meal. That is a small price to pay for the comfort I now have.

Edna Siniff