Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

According to the latest statistics TMD is one of the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions. However, only half to two-thirds of the suffering population seek treatment for the condition. There are several reliable treatment options available to patients for resolving TMD and reducing or eliminating the associated jaw pain.

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder, or TMD, has been shown to affect up to 12% of the American population. This makes TMD the second most frequently occurring musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain and disability next to chronic lower back pain.

Effects of TMD are often serious; early diagnosis and dental therapy can help ease and eliminate the muscle pain, headaches and tension associated with the disorder and restore healthy, pain-free jaw movement.

Dr. Shwartzman says identification of the underlying source of pain and discomfort are essential to crafting an individualized treatment plan. Although there are a wide variety of causes for TMD, she says some of the more prevalent reasons include poor bite alignment; chronic clenching or grinding of teeth, especially during sleep; trauma or accident; anxiety or stress, and chronic illness. Dr. Shwartzman assures patients that through diagnosis of oral history and habits, x-rays of the teeth and jaw, and a thorough examination from an experienced dentist, patients can identify TMD and treat it using personalized solutions such as neuromuscular dentistry for bite realignment and a custom-fitted oral bite guard called an orthotic.

"There are many treatment options, but oral appliances such as orthotics can be a straightforward solution to relieve from jaw pain," says Dr. Shwartzman. "For some patients, they are an ideal solution because they are custom crafted for each individual and generally can provide rapid relief from symptoms."

Dr. Shwartzman says patients seeking relief from the pain associated with TMD should consult a qualified neuromuscular dental practice before undergoing treatment to ensure proper therapy and the most effective results. She also adds that given the right treatment for each individual, patient(s) can resume normal daily functions and get back to living their lives without pain.

"Because TMD symptoms like headaches, tension, and muscle tenderness aren't always attributed to the temporomandibular joint, some people experience years of discomfort before receiving a proper diagnosis, says Dr. Shwartzman" "When patients finally experience relief from their symptoms, they couldn't imagine living life any other way."

Original article SF Gate

Many adults suffer from chronic jaw pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or headaches and neck pain.

Two joints, the temporomandibular joints or TMJ, and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. These various muscles located in the face and neck hold your jaw, control the movement of your jaw, as well as allow you to chew and swallow. This muscle movement is done subconsciously, and if your bite is off, your body automatically strains your muscles to allow for your jaw to work; this is called accommodating.

The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing and speaking. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder. If your bite is off balance, your muscles will work extra hard to hold, control and allow for the chewing and swallowing. Overtime, the temporomandibular joints become over stressed and TMJ dysfunction occurs.

Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Neuromuscular dentistry uses modern technology to assess the function or dysfunction of the jaw and creates the optimum bite for your specific case while creating your new beautiful smile. The goal of the neuromuscular dentist is to find the natural position of your jaw and restore it to its optimal position of balance, thus eliminating TMJ disorders. This takes the pressure off of your joints and overstrained muscles, eliminates jaw or teeth clenching, and allows for your muscles to act naturally.

This treatment can also pinpoint the source of your headaches, ear congestion, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, jaw clenching or teeth grinding, jaw joint pain, and even nervousness or insomnia. If you are interested in a TMJ consultation, please contact us. Enjoy a more well rested smile and appearance.

There are three different factors which determine your bite: teeth, muscles and joints. Neuromuscular dentistry uses modern technology to assess the function -or dysfunction- of the jaw by evaluating all of these and creating the optimum bite for your jaw structure while creating your new beautiful smile.

If you suffer from headaches, ear congestion, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, jaw clenching or teeth grinding, jaw joint pain, and even nervousness or insomnia this treatment can pinpoint the source. In evaluating your teeth, and the muscles and joints of your jaw, you can alleviate TMJ disorders and in the process, get the smile you have always dreamed of.

There are various types of muscles located in the face and neck that hold your jaw, control the movement of your jaw, and allow you to chew and swallow; all of which is done subconsciously. If your bite is off, your body automatically strains the muscles of your jaw, working the muscles extra hard. This is why the temporomandibular joints become over stressed and TMJ occurs. The goal of Dream Smile Dental is to find and restore your jaw to its natural, optimal position. TMJ disorders are eliminated by restoring your jaw to that position where the muscles, teeth and joints are in balance.   This takes the pressure off of your joints and overstrained muscles, eliminates jaw or teeth clenching, and allows for your muscles to act naturally, and with no effort, make your jaw function properly.

Dream Smile Dental was honored with one of the most prestigious Invisalign awards this year. After completing over 800 lifetime cases and over 100 cases in the last 6 months, Dream Smile Dental amongst only 15 other doctors in the world were given this status.

“We are very proud to have reached this point and worked really hard to get here. We are glad that our mission to help our patients has contributed to such a successful result”. –Dr. Ronkin and Dr. Shwartzman.

Properly aligned teeth are easier to brush and floss than crowded or crooked teeth. Properly positioned teeth can help gums “fit” more tightly around them, which may lead to better periodontal health. Properly aligned teeth also reduce the risk of expensive procedures required to repair the effects of abnormal force, such as tooth chipping, breaking, or wear; and can be less stressful on the supporting jaw bone and joints. As you can see, straight teeth aren’t only a cosmetic issue but a health issue as well. With the help of Invisalign in combination with neuromuscular orthodontics, Dr. Ronkin has helped many patients beyond just straightening their teeth.
 
Neuromuscular orthodontics can alleviate TMJ symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, back pain, ringing in the ears, tingling of the fingers and many more.
 
For children, neuromuscular orthodontics lays down the foundation for healthy development and prevention of sleep apnea, respiratory disease, heart disease and other illnesses.

Neuromuscular dentistry is utterly different from traditional dentistry primarily in the aspect that such dentistry deals with the proper positioning of the jaw. On the other hand, only teeth and joints are observed in traditional dentistry.

Such dentistry gains its importance because it is extremely helpful in painful conditions like temporomandibular joint disorders. In a way, it can endow a person with more relaxed and long-term solutions to some other factors like dentures and smile makeovers.

This is important to note that in the exact position and functioning of the jaw, your teeth, joints, and muscles act in a combined manner. A slight disorder and lack of care in any of these parts can create TMJ and painful dental problems. To resolve the issue of the exact positioning of the jaw, neuromuscular dentistry deals in modern technology.

So how is TMJ/TMD related to this type of dentistry?
Treating TMJ/TMD is probably the most important and revolutionary aspect of neuromuscular dentistry. Some painful and intolerable symptoms don't look like dental problems at times but they appear as the consequence of a misaligned jaw. The symptoms of TMJ/TMD are as follows:

- Headaches
- Pain in shoulder or neck
- Lack of sensation in arms and fingers
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain
- Clicking or popping jaw
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Ringing ears
- jammed ears

In such cases, a neuromuscular dentist employs an electrical neuromuscular stimulation, which is like a massage and comforts the muscles. It also stops spasms and reduces pain.

Compared to traditional dentistry, neuromuscular dentistry is a superior way to treat dental problems. TMJ/TMD treatment reduces your pain. Outcomes are perfect and of long-term n general dentistry, whereas, cosmetic dentistry endows one with an improved look. Contact us today should you need any work done to your teeth or need to set up an appointment for your next visit.