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Questions about Neuromuscular Dentistry
Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Stockton, Modesto, California
What is neuromuscular dentistry?
This specialty of dentistry focuses on your bite. A healthy bite is characterized by a good relationship between your jaw joints, teeth and muscle. If one of these components functions incorrectly, your bite can be misaligned, which creates tension between your jaws and muscles as they try to align your teeth. Over time, health issues like TMD disorder can arise.
How can I tell if my bite is misaligned?
The following are some symptoms that may indicate a bite misalignment:
- Facial pain
- Painful headaches
- Dizziness
- Neck, jaw and/or shoulder pain
- Popping, grinding or clicking in your
- Ringing in your ears
- Damage to fillings
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- Teeth sensitivity or overcrowding
- Numbness in your arms
What treatments are available through neuromuscular dentistry?
Once you have been diagnosed with TMD disorder, you and Dr. Miller will decide which treatment will best meet your needs. In general, these three steps are taken:
- Relieve muscle spasm and pain—the primary concern is to alleviate your symptoms. This can be done with electrical stimulation to massage and relax your muscles.
- Stabilize the bite—an orthotic is worn over your teeth to stabilize your bite, before it can be permanently adjusted into the correct position.
- Long-term management—a coronoplasty or equilibration may be performed to reshape the enamel of your teeth to correct your bite. Full-mouth reconstruction makes certain teeth higher or lower so your bite fits together more naturally.
What are the causes of TMD?
Doctors and researchers are still examining the root causes of TMD disorder. While they do not yet know the cause, they do know that certain activities can aggravate symptoms. These include:
- Poor posture
- A blow to the jaw
- Repeated oral habits (nail biting, tongue thrashing, etc.)
- Diseases like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis
- Previous dental work (root canals, bridgework, etc.)
Why does insurance typically not cover TMJ Treatments?
Insurance companies are still debating whether this treatment falls into the category of dental, medical or mental. With so little research about TMD, insurance companies are not easily persuaded to cover a treatment in which there are still many questions.
If you are having problems with your jaw and you live in the Roseville, California area, please contact our office. You may be suffering from TMD disorder. Our experienced staff can schedule your initial consultation, and help you start feeling better fast. Please call today.
