Neuromuscular Dentistry
A discipline aimed at discovering and correcting a discrepancy in a patient's bite. The position where the teeth come together (the bite) is a hugely important factor in the health, comfort and function of the head and neck. When everything is in harmony, most people are unaware of their bite. It's just like you're unaware of the position of your feet when you walk. When there is no harmony, then it's like waking while wearing two different shoes.
You might be able to adapt, but there's something wrong. When the discrepancy is too great, beyond adaptability, then the system begins to break down. Posture shifts to accommodate causing muscle strain and fatigue, often distant from the source of the problem. If it's uneven shoes, then the pain will be in the hips and lower back. If it's an uneven bite, the pain will be in the muscles of the head and neck, often triggering headaches.
Modern instrumentation has been a great boon to neuromuscular dentists. Using TENS devices and computerized jaw tracking equipment, we can determine, with amazing precision, the point where relaxed jaw muscles want the bite to be. Comparing that position with where the bite actually is allows us to decide how best to correct the discrepancy.
Sometimes, the only need is for conservative reshaping of a few teeth to allow the bite to settle in to a more relaxed, neuromuscular position. For some, the answer is orthodonticaly moving the teeth into the proper position. And for others, the best solution is to restore the teeth into the new bite by making crowns or veneers or onlays.
The bottom line is that, using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry, bite problems and the associated symptoms can be treated predictably, efficiently, and precisely. Patients feel better, function better, and look terrific.