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Neuromuscular and Orthopedic Dentistry

• What is Neuromuscular and Orthopedic Dentistry?
• Why would someone need Neuromuscular or Orthopedic dental treatment?
• How do I know if I have a “bad bite?”
• Just because these signs are present, is treatment necessary?
• What does this type of treatment involve?
• How do you confirm that the muscles are in the right place?
• Will I have to wear an orthotic for the rest of my life?
• What benefits can I expect from neuromuscular and orthopedic dentistry?

“It’s taken me 15 years to find the right solution for my terrible cross-bite. No one could ever tell me they could fix the problem with either braces, surgery or both. You did it without either! Thanks for being my friend and savior!” – Duane

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What is Neuromuscular and Orthopedic Dentistry?

Neuromuscular Dentistry is an emerging field of dentistry that uses the proper alignment of the facial muscles as the basis for treatment. Orthopedic Dentistry uses the ideal “bite” to restore structural and postural balance to the body. Together, these methodologies help to alleviate such conditions as migraine and headaches, back, shoulder and neck pain, ringing in the ears, vertigo, teeth grinding and clenching and many different types of facial pain, and can significantly improve posture through the whole skeletal structure.

 

“My headaches and backache have all disappeared, and my insomnia is improving daily…and all of this because of the wonderful work you do! Thank you so much for feeling my pain and, most of all, for curing me!” – Lena

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Why would someone need Neuromuscular or Orthopedic dental treatment?

When you bite down, your teeth fit together like puzzle pieces. This “bite” forces your muscles and jaw into a certain position which may not be ideal. Often the habitual bite relationship is not ideal and leads to muscle spasms and inflammation on the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).

Teeth grinding is often a response to the muscle spasms. Grinding wears down the teeth, and as the teeth become shorter the muscles continue to shorten as well. This causes the tension in the muscles to increase, as do the forces on the teeth, often resulting in chipping and breaking teeth.

Chipped/Worn Teeth

As the wear continues, the lower jaw also begins to shift backward, putting pressure on the Temporomandibular Joint, which is just in front of the ear. There are many blood vessels and nerve endings in this area, and the jawbone compresses them when the lower jaw shifts this way. Severe headaches, pressure behind the eyes, tinnitus (ringing), vertigo (dizziness), numbness in the fingers and ear congestion may result. A “bad bite” can also lead to spasm of the facial muscles, often showing up as tightness and pain in the muscles of the head and neck.

Orthopedically, the force of gravity on your body is designed to bisect the center of your spine. The angle of your bite, your shoulders, your hips, etc. all impact this relationship. Whether through changes occurring to your bite from wear or through the anatomy with which you were born, your body will adapt the way it channels gravity in order to keep you chewing effectively – this is a valuable survival mechanism. As this occurs, many people unknowingly adopt a forward head posture, tilted pelvis, or canted shoulders leading to head, neck, shoulder and back tension and pain.

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How do I know if I have a “bad bite?”

Here are some more symptoms you might notice with a “bad bite”:

• Tooth grinding and clenching
• Flat, worn teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Retruded chin or overbite
• Short lower third of the face
• Short, square looking teeth
• Missing teeth
• Receding gums
• Cavities occurring at the gum line
• Snoring or sleep apnea
• Recurring shoulder, neck or back tension

“I can’t begin to thank you for the care that you’ve provided for me! My quality of life has improved tremendously and I owe it all to you. My chronic headaches and pain are a thing of the past and I look forward to more continual improvement.”
- Michael

Just because these signs are present, is treatment necessary?

No. If you are not experiencing physical symptoms, and you are not concerned about the long-term effects of your improper bite, then you may opt not to undergo treatment. You must consider, however, that your teeth do not grow back, and whatever has caused these symptoms to occur may not go away on it’s own, and may get progressively worse. Additionally, if Neuromuscular or Orthopedic treatment is indicated and not completed, our ability to guarantee the longevity of any future dental work may be compromised.

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What does this type of treatment involve?

Neuromuscular and orthopedic dental treatment involves deprogramming the muscles from their habitual relationship through the use of low-grade electrical stimulus. We use a TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation), similar to those used in physical therapy practices. The TENS unit exercises the muscles of the face and neck, thereby improving blood flow and flushing out toxins. The result of this 45 to 60 minute process is relaxed, healthy muscles, which are now able to align themselves in a more harmonious neutral zone.

We then stabilize this more ideal relationship with an appliance that fits on the lower teeth. The appliance, called an orthotic, creates a bite that supports the ideal muscle relationship, allowing the patient to chew and function where their muscles are at rest.

Removable Orthotic

In cosmetic cases, the orthotic can be made of a material that looks like tooth enamel and affixed to the teeth semi-permanently, thereby giving the client a whole new smile in under three hours.

Fixed Orthotic

“I was looking for a regular dentist and found so much more. Having my neuromuscular issues addressed has given me back a quality of life that I thought was gone forever. With a grateful heart, Brenda”

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How do you confirm that the muscles are in the right place?

There are a number of methods that we use to identify the ideal bite.

1) We use a K-7 Evaluator that allows us to measure the electrical impulses in the muscles, and to track the movement of the jaw in three dimensions during chewing and biting exercises.

2) We use a process called a Phonetic Bite, which uses the relationship of the jaws while pronouncing ‘S’ sounds, to determine the preferred position of the lower jaw, and to preserve that position as the ideal.

3) We also use an Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Test to track the body’s subconscious response to certain stimuli. When the bite is in an unhealthy position, the nervous system may not be able to function at maximum efficiency in the face of trauma (even perceived minor traumas like scratching your arm). Through the ANS test we are able to observe improvements in the nervous system as a response to support of the ideal bite.

Will I have to wear the orthotic for the rest of my life?

Some patients choose to utilize a long-term orthotic to stabilize the bite and the muscles. Many others choose to have their teeth restored or orthodontically moved to support the healthy muscular and structural relationship. We often recommend treatment by a chiropractor or massage therapist during this process to support the whole body in a smooth transition to a healthy position.

“I had issues with TMJ in which I experienced jaw cracking and facial tension. As a result of Dr. Locklear’s expert care, the number of flare-ups with my jaw has decreased significantly, I feel much, much better overall, and I get lots of compliments on my gorgeous smile!” – Lori

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What benefits can I expect from neuromuscular and orthopedic dentistry?

Whether you undergo treatment in order to get rid of pain, to correct and/or prevent functionally broken teeth, to improve chronic postural problems, or to create ideal, long-lasting aesthetics, the neuromuscular and orthopedic approach results in balance and harmony between the teeth and the muscles. Many who have undergone treatment report an increased sense of energy, well-being, and comfort.

"Merely hours after receiving my new 'neuromuscular bite' from Dr. Locklear, not only did I have a stunning smile, but I felt like a 10-lb. weight had been removed from my neck. My friends can't figure out why I look so good, and my chiropractor is amazed that knots I've had for years have dissolved so quickly. I feel gorgeous and I can't stop smiling!" - Vicki

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