Neuromuscular Dentistry
In Edmonton, Alberta
Where the Mouth Meets the Body
Neuromuscular dentistry can affect the entire body, alleviating pain and headaches. It is an area of dentistry that places your jaw back into its correct alignment so as to relieve the painful symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD). Its focus is on more than just teeth and gums, also including the jaw joints and related structures. As Dr. Pavlenko says:
TMJ Disorder that the majority of North American suffer from, but have not been diagnosed for.
TMD is a group of symptoms arising from a misaligned jaw joint. They can cause pain, discomfort, and serious dental problems treatable by neuromuscular dentistry. Occlusion is the term for the meeting of upper and lower teeth. A misaligned jaw joint is known as malocclusion, a “bad bite”. Underbites and overbites are both bad bites.
The jaw joints
The jaw joints are the most complex joints in the body and the only ones that can move in three ways: forward and back, up and down, and sideways. They are in front of the ears, and you can feel them by placing a finger there and opening your mouth. Several large nerves run through the jaw and face area, with many branches extending over the head, neck, shoulders, and down to the fingers. TMD symptoms can be felt in any of these areas.
Causes of TMD
Although the causes are not all fully understood, TMD can arise from an impact to the side of the head, such as you might sustain in an accident, even a small one in childhood. It can also stem from misaligned teeth. Genetics plays a part, and psychological factors. Each TMD case is unique.
Early signs of TMD
Children are particularly sensitive to a misaligned jaw and may have recurrent ear infections, or may develop such habits as chewing on their lips or fingernails, chewing a lot of gum, snoring, grinding their teeth or often resting their head on an arm, trying to relieve the discomfort.
Symptoms of TMD
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Facial Pain
- Pain in the head, neck, and shoulders
- Locking of the jaw
- Ringing in the ears
- Limited jaw movement
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
- Sensitive or sore teeth
- Sore jaw muscles
- Chipped Teeth
- Cracked Teeth
- Worn Teeth
These symptoms arise from a misaligned bite, where your upper and lower teeth do not meet comfortably or correctly. TMD creates excess stress on muscles, joints, teeth, and bones in your face, head, neck, and shoulders. If you are suffering from one or more of these symptoms, a neuromuscular dentist could relieve them by placing your jaw into its correct position, giving you a smooth and comfortable bite.
Neuromuscular dentists use state-of-the-art computerized technology to measure and record the sounds and movements of the jaw joint and its position when at rest. Using this data, the dentist can determine its optimal placement.
Testimonial -
I have suffered from severe TMJ for over 5 years. I tried every treatment available to me but nothing gave me relief from my severe headaches, jaw pain and dizziness, until I found Forest and Ray. Within days of wearing my new neuromuscular orthotic appliance and TENS treatment, I started feeling relieved. It has only been 4 weeks and my chronic symptoms are decreasing and improving each day. I have traveled far from home for this treatment but it is proving to be worthwhile 
- Glenda S.
If you have been suffering from any of the above symptoms and would like a consultation about it, please call or email us. We serve the Edmonton, Alberta area and we look forward to meeting with you.
