Neuromuscular Dentistry

Neuromuscular dentistry is an approach to maintain the health of your jaw joints and the activity of the muscles responsible for moving the jaw.

In traditional dentistry, your jaw position is determined by your bite. This can produce tense, strained muscles and an unhealthy jaw joint position, causing fatigue and pain. Alternatively, neuromuscular dentistry considers the teeth, muscles and joints that control the jaws as a reference point, before restoring the teeth. This creates a harmonious relationship among the teeth, jaw joints, and the muscles of the head and neck, resulting in a correct and healthy jaw position. Treatment with neuromuscular dentistry can alleviate stress from the jaw muscles and eliminate pain.

Common symptoms of neuromuscular conflicts include:

• Headaches
• Clenching or grinding
• Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joints
• Jaw pain
• Shoulder, neck and back pain
• Loose teeth
• Worn or cracked teeth and fillings
• Numbness or tingling of the fingers and arms
• Ringing of the ears
• Pain behind the eyes
• Facial pain
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Tooth sensitivity
• Tooth ache
• Crowded teeth
• Periodontal disease (gum disease)

If you have any of the above symptoms, consult your dentist. The purpose of neuromuscular dentistry is to determine the optimal position of your jaw, with relaxed and stable jaw muscles. Neuromuscular dentistry techniques provide you with an optimum bite and a beautiful smile that can improve and enhance your life.