Important Information about Neuromuscular Dental Practices

The desire of everyone is to have properly aligned jaws, which is usually not the case. However, some people will have misaligned jaw. As a result, this may cause various oral health problems. When proper treatment is given, however, problems associated with misaligned jaw can be avoided. On the other hand, dentists usually focus on many areas of oral health. While some will specialize in specific areas, others will practice as general dentists. Neuromuscular dentistry is a field that involves correcting misaligned jaw.

Misaligned jaw can result in malocclusion and TMD. It is important that your jaw remain relaxed always. For people with misaligned jaws, the dentist examines how the muscles, teeth, and jaw joints work together. The dentist will then apply principles in neuromuscular dentistry to correct your bite. As a result, you get healthy muscles, a beautiful smile, and healthy joints.

Here is this article you learn more about what neuromuscular dentistry involves.

1. Diagnosing the problem.

Normally, dentists employ various diagnostic tools like x-rays and digital radiographs in order to know the position as well as the condition of the jaw joint. But in order to determine the exact position of the jaw, various diagnostic technologies are often employed. At the same time, accurate diagnosis is needed to relieve problems caused by TMD. To record the jaw resting position, dentists will use a computerized equipment. The computerized equipment will reveal the movement of the jaw and how it closes.

The dentist will also use electromyography to determine the relaxed and stressed positions of the jaw muscles. An electromyography will also reveal if there are structural defects. Another equipment used in the diagnosis is Sonography or Joint Vibration Analysis. The equipment is normally used to record jaw joint sounds to determine whether there are abnormalities.

2. Neuromuscular treatment.

For people suffering from neuromuscular problems, a dentist can help determine the real cause. Such problems may arise due to jaw joint, muscle or teeth position. The dentist will come up with a plan to correct the abnormalities thereby allowing the jaws to attain their optimal positions.

Also, dentists may use electrical stimulation from electrodes. As the electrodes contract repeatedly, they cause the muscles to relax. This, in turn, relieves muscle spasm and pain. The bite could also be corrected by using appliances like the mouth guard. For proper alignment, orthodontic could be necessary.

Usually, the temporomandibular disorder can result in severe conditions such as headaches, poor posture, should pain, and neck pain. However, the problems in most cases will be treated through noninvasive treatments.