What Is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the relationship between the jaw muscles, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), and the teeth. It uses advanced technology to evaluate and diagnose problems with the jaw and jaw joint and to develop treatment plans that address these issues.
The goal of neuromuscular dentistry is to correct the alignment of the jaw and the jaw joint in order to alleviate symptoms such as headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, and ringing in the ears. Dr. Heng Lim achieves this through the use of techniques such as computerized jaw tracking, electromyography, and sonography to evaluate the function of the jaw and muscles and to identify any imbalances or abnormalities.
Once he has made a diagnosis, treatment may involve using orthodontic appliances, bite splints, or other dental devices to correct the alignment of the jaw and TMJ. After that, most people choose to move on to ‘Phase 2’ treatment, where Dr. Lim uses dental treatments like dental crowns, orthodontics, and veneers to hold your jaw in the correct position without an orthotic.
Neuromuscular dentistry is a complicated field that requires advanced training and experience. It is an effective way to treat a wide range of dental and TMJ problems and can help to improve your overall quality of life.
How Do Neuromuscular Dentistry and Traditional Dentistry Differ?
Traditional dentistry focuses on the relationship between your teeth, gums, and mouth. Think of this as the fundamentals of your oral health. Traditional dentistry focuses on the prevention and treatment of problems directed related to your teeth, gums, and mouth. Neuromuscular dentistry evaluates your teeth, jawbone, muscle, nerves, and body posture to identify the underlying causes of pain.
What Are TMJ Disorder Signs and Symptoms?
You may have TMJ disorder if you are experiencing some of these signs or symptoms:
- Earaches or pain around your ears
- Facial pain
- Forward head posture
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw pain, stiffness, or tenderness
- Jaw locking or difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Migraine headaches
- Neck or shoulder pain or stiffness
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Sensitive or sore teeth
- Teeth clenching and grinding
- Tingling in the fingertips
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Worn teeth
Are Your Symptoms TMJ Related?
Your Owasso neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Lim, will evaluate your jaw to determine the causes of your discomfort and whether they are TMJ related. He earned fellowship status from Las Vegas Institute Global, an international dental institution, where he completed neuromuscular dentistry training.
Dr. Lim will take these steps:
- Listen as you describe your symptoms
- Examine your mouth and jaw
- Take a CT scan to examine your jaw joints’ position and condition, and neck compression
- Use electromyography to measure your jaw position and monitor your muscle function
- Use 3-D jaw tracking technology to monitor jaw movements and identify any misalignment
- Use sonography to record jaw joint sounds when you open and close your mouth
What Are Your Treatment Options?
After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Lim will develop a personalized treatment plan to restore your oral health and relieve your symptoms. Treatment recommendations may include:
- Dental crowns
- Night guard
- Orthodontics
- Orthotics
- Splint
- Tooth recontouring
- Ultra-Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (ULF-TENS)
Relieve Your Pain with Neuromuscular Dentistry in Owasso
Neuromuscular dentistry can relieve your discomfort related to tooth, jaw joint, and muscle position. Request an appointment with Dr. Lim to determine if this treatment suits you.
