The goal of neuromuscular dentistry
is to restore harmony between the teeth, muscles, and the temporomandibular
(TMJ) joints. When in disharmony, patients will exhibit dental signs
(readily seen by a dentist), symptoms (experienced by the patient)
or sometimes a combination of both.
Many people have obvious dental signs of a bad bite, such as:
· flat, ground
down teeth
· crooked
teeth
· crossbite
· broken
or chipped teeth
Many patients may have a misaligned bite and not even be aware of
it. If the teeth do not fit together properly, the muscles and joints
are forced accommodate. This misaligned bite position often leads
to muscles that are overworked when they should be relaxed, which
may result in the following symptoms:
· frequent
headaches -loose teeth
· clicking and popping in the
jaw -facial pain (nonspecific)
· tinnitus (ringing in the ears) -tender,
sensitive teeth
· stuffy ears -difficulty chewing
· vertigo (dizziness) -cervical
(neck) pain or tenderness
· clenching and grinding -postural
problems
· limited opening -paresthesia
of the fingertips
· TMJ
pain - thermal sensitivity (hot and cold) |
