Neuromuscular Dentistry and TMD / TMJ

in Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa

Neuromuscular dentistry places the jaw in its optimal position, relieving the symptoms associated with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). TMD is a chronic degenerative disease that often takes years to develop and affects millions of people. People who suffer from TMD have an imbalance in the jaw-to-skull relationship that is caused by a misaligned bite (malocclusion). Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cause many painful symptoms involving the head, face, neck, shoulders and back, but your neuromuscular dentist is trained to treat this very debilitating condition.

While traditional dentistry deals primarily with the teeth bones, and gums, neuromuscular dentistry works with the hard and soft tissues, muscles, and nerves. Neuromuscular dentists understand the necessity for including the muscles and the nerves which create the movement and function of the mouth.

When the jaw is misaligned, both the hard and soft tissues are affected and many painful problems can result:

• Headaches
• Jaw pain and stiffness
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Ear pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Clicking/popping sounds of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Shoulder pain and stiffness

Neuromuscular dentistry can realign your bite and resolve your TMD/TMJ symptoms using state-of-the-art technology to determine if your symptoms are caused by malocclusion and, if so, to determine your optimal jaw position. Your dentist will use computerized jaw tracking instruments to record your jaw movement, resting position and path of closure. Electromyography is used to measure your jaw's muscle function in both stressed and relaxed positions. Sonography is used to record jaw joint sounds to detect any abnormalities, and x-rays of the jaw may be taken to help evaluate the condition and position of the temporomandibular joint.

TMD Treatment

Treatment plans for TMD are as varied as the patients that present with the condition. Each patient must be treated differently depending on the combination of symptoms and contributing factors. The goal of TMD treatment is to minimize pain and establish a return to function by allowing the muscles and joints to heal through rest and care. Damage to the TMJ cannot be reversed, but the body can often heal it enough to return to normal function without pain. Your neuromuscular dentist can teach you to recognize the symptoms of TMD early and manage them yourself once given the tools to do so.

The following treatment options may be available to you:

• Jaw rest to give it time to heal. You cannot chew gum, bite your nails, chew on hard objects like pencils or clench your teeth. Your diet should be fairly soft, and avoid chewy and crunchy foods during jaw rest treatment.
• Occlusal splints (also called a mouth piece, appliance or night guard) are designed to protect the teeth from further wear and to reduce the severity of grinding at night and allow the muscles to rest. In very severe cases, the splint may need to be worn during the day, also.
• Medication for pain and inflammation may be prescribed; a muscle relaxant may also be prescribed.
• Moist heat is often helpful for the jaw's sore muscles. Moist heat promotes blood flow into the muscle which aids in healing and relaxation of the muscle as well.
• Exercises and physical therapy can help relax the muscles and increase joint flexibility.
• Occlusal adjustment (to fix bite problems) may be necessary and can be achieved through a minor reshaping of the teeth.
• Stress management is often helpful because TMD may be a sign that you are under stress and not even aware of it.

If you are suffering from TMJ symptoms, please know that you are not alone and there is help for you. Your neuromuscular dentist is specially trained to treat TMD and its painful symptoms.