Neuromuscular Dentistry

Ninty percent of the pain in the body comes from muscles, and the muscles in the head and neck are driven or impacted by the lower jaw and bite position. Sometimes this is referred to as temporomandibular (jaw joint) disorder, commonly known as TMJ or TMD. However, there is a wide array of issues or conditions where the root cause is the bite.

If your bite is not right, it often leads to chronic discomfort and pain. Just like flexing your arm for a second is comfortable but flexing it continuously for two to three minutes starts to hurt, a strained jaw position eventually leads to discomfort. A misaligned bite causes unnatural tension in neck and jaw muscles-this eventually diminishes breathing, saps strength and limits flexibility.

Neuromuscular dentists use computer analysis and in-depth patient consults to find the best resting position for the jaw muscles. Then, a jaw-repositioning orthotic-much like an athlete's mouth guard-helps maintain the new relaxed position. Eventually, crowns and veneers may help hold the new pain-free position. Some people have found previously unresolved pain goes away in a matter of days.