The way your upper and lower teeth come together is an important part of your dental health. Traditional dentistry attempted to treat misalignment of the upper and lower teeth by moving teeth alone. Neuromuscular dentistry considers the involvement of the entire jaw, including the function of the TMJ, (temporomandibular joint), the role of the muscles of the face and neck as well as the teeth in correcting occlusal problems.
If you suffer from a bad bite, the muscles and joints can be forced to work hard to compensate to correct the misalignment. The jawbone, controlled by the TMJ, has two movements: a rotating or hinge action, which opens and closes the mouth and a gliding action, a movement that allows the mouth to open wider. The coordination of these two actions allows you to talk, chew and yawn.
When the jaw is misaligned, both the hard and soft tissues are affected and many physiological problems can result, such as headaches, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint. Joel Miller, DMD, MAGD, a specially trained neuromuscular dentist, will establish the optimum jaw position by creating a harmonious relationship between the teeth, muscles and jaw joints. The result is called the neuromuscular bite.
When correcting a misaligned bite, relieving a painful condition or improving your smile, Dr. Miller begins treatment with several painless tests that evaluate and study the jaw and the complex relationship between the joints, teeth and muscles. Neuromuscular dentistry starts by using a muscle stimulator to deliver a mild electrical stimulus to the muscles of the jaw area, neck and shoulders to cause them to relax. Once the jaw is completely relaxed, Dr. Miller can determine a more natural and comfortable bite. Other computerized tests that may be performed are: jaw tracking to establish measurements and patterns of the jaw opening and closing to see its full range of motion, electromyography, which provides information on the activity of the muscles, and sonography, which allows us to assess the status of the articular disk and jaw joint. Dr. Miller will use this objective information to assess your current jaw position and determine if your bite should be left as it is or be adjusted to a more optimal occlusion. Once Dr. Miller determines the positioning of your optimal bite, you will be given an orthotic device to keep your bite in its new position.
Once symptoms are relieved and the bite has been stabilized, Dr. Miller will move on to the next step and discuss options to permanently adjust your bite to the correct position. Patients of neuromuscular dentistry experience a range of benefits from greatly decreases or eliminated pain and discomfort to better overall health and longer-lasting restorations.
Miller Studio for Dental Artistry is relocating to Rye Canyon Pointe to more effectively serve our guests. The new address as of December is 28212 Kelly Johnson Pkwy, Suite 290 in Valencia. The phone number, 661-257-5858, remains the same. Visit the website at www.valenciasmiles.com .