Neuromuscular Dentistry – TMJ Pain
TMJ Pain – Bad Bites
Deborah had a TMJ problem that was the direct result of a bad bite. Bad bites contribute to TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction) commonly called TMJ. Some patients have always had a bad bite and as time goes by, the bite worsens. These patients never had TMJ before, but suddenly, for no apparent reason they began having TMJ symptoms.
TMJ Pain – Symptoms of a Bad Bite
Some patients have a single symptom while other patient have multiple symptoms. Typical TMJ pain and symptoms include headaches, sore jaw, clicking or popping jaw, difficulty opening, jaw locking in place, and low-grade aches on one or both sides. Some patients have so many of these symptoms that their jaw muscles go into spasms and they actually become dysfunctional. Some patients grind and clench so much that they have permanently damaged the jaw joint and severely worn down their teeth. These patients have severe TMJ symptoms combined with a bad bite.
Bad Bites
Bad bites generally are bites that are not in harmony with the TMJ. In an ideal situation, the bite and the TMJ work together. However, most patients do not have a good bite even if they have had braces. These patients have learned to "accommodate" to their bad bite so well that they are not aware of their TMJ symptoms at all. It is still beneficial to treat a bad bite, even if there are no obvious symptoms. Patients who have done so have found a huge benefit after the treatment was completed. They have said "Wow, I have never had a good bite and I have never known what a good bite feels like until now!" A good bite is comfortable and does not require a lot of body energy to "accommodate." Patients with a bad bite are more motivated to get pain relief and get treatment that helps them deal with their bite. Patients that have no symptoms but have a bad bite would benefit from reduced muscle strain, jaw damage and tooth damage if their bite were improved or protected.
Neuromuscular Dentistry
Neuromuscular dentistry utilizes an electronic method to help the dentist treat the patient. The electronic equipment gives measurements on a computer screen that is interpreted by the dentist in order to help him decide how to treat the patient. Other doctors use a combination of methods (electronic, radiographic, and years of experience) that help them make treatment decisions to arrive at a neuromuscular dentistry solution. Neuromuscular dentistry is not an exact treatment method since the technology continues to change and the wide variations and symptom combinations that occur from TMJ pain patient to TMJ pain patient. However, the very best neuromuscular dentists use their years of experience, which supersedes any level of neuromuscular dentistry equipment. As one very intelligent patient put it, that he wanted a dentist that has the ability to "connect the dots" or "piece the puzzle together" in order to effectively treat him.
TMJ Pain Caused by a Dentist
A patient can have a pre-existing bad bite that becomes worse despite the best of intentions by the treating dentist. A dentist can cause TMJ pain with porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers that alters an already compromised bite. All of the blame can fall on the dentist but the pre-existing conditions were a great contributor to the patient’s TMJ pain. The dentist unknowingly made it worse because the technique and ability of the dentist was insufficient. Once the experienced neuromuscular dentist determines the causes of the problems, the dentistry is generally replaced and the patient’s TMJ pain can subside.
EXAMPLE of TMJ Caused by Bad Dentistry
This patient was in pain after getting four porcelain crowns from months earlier by another dentist. The porcelain crowns made her bad bite worse because of the lack of proper alignment and height. She was treated by three different dentists including a neuromuscular dentist specializing in TMJ treatment and none of them were able to help her. She searched the internet, found the website of Sam Muslin DDS MAGD and went for his opinion. She was diagnosed by Dr. Muslin, his treatment recommendations were tested and the results were a total success. Dr. Muslin simply added a bonded material to the crowns to achieve the proper bite and crown height as a test. The patient was finally pain-free and thrilled. The porcelain crowns were replaced with new crowns that supported her bite and her comfort was restored and her bite improved.
Cosmetic Dentistry - Porcelain Veneers
The patient was so thrilled to be pain-free, she decided to move forward with the smile makeover that she always wanted. Non-invasive porcelain veneers were placed on her upper teeth and the patient was transformed from a patient in pain, to a pain-free smile makeover.
For those patients interested in complete care rather than just a smile makeover, please call for your consultation.