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What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
The End of the Drill
What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Neuromuscular dentistry is the art and science of using the relaxed position of the muscles of the head and neck to place the jaw into an optimal physiologic position. Neuromuscular dentistry recognizes that the muscles that move the jaw must be in a comfortable, relaxed position in order to not be in conflict with the teeth and joint. Neuromuscular dentistry differs from "traditional" dentistry in the emphasis that is placed upon the activity of the muscles that move the jaw. Healthy muscles work together in harmony and are able to rest more comfortably. When muscles rest in their natural position they can reduce many symptoms including grinding, wearing, and pushing of the teeth. Neuromuscular dentistry can help achieve the best comfort and health for your teeth.
The nerves and muscles that control and guide our jaw during movement can become tense, sore, and spastic. These strained muscles can contribute to a significant amount of pain and tension and lower the quality of comfort in and around our mouths. Strained muscles can cause a wide assortment of problems including painful teeth, gum disease, painful clicking or popping jaw joints, hearing and ear problems, headaches, face, neck and back pain, tingling in the fingers, sleep problems, chipped and warn teeth. As a Neuromuscular Dentist, Dr. Hunsaker includes the muscles, nerves, and supporting structures of the mouth in a thorough evaluation. Recent advancements in technology have allowed Dr. Hunsaker to measure more accurately the most comfortable position for muscles, teeth and jaw. When muscles rest and are comfortable they can reduce many symptoms including grinding, wearing, and pushing of the teeth.
Common symptoms that occur when teeth, jaws and muscles are in conflict include:
Headaches
Loose teeth
Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth or fillings
Clenching or grinding
Ditched root grooves
Pain or clicking and popping in joints
Shoulder, neck, and back pain
Numbness in arms and fingers
Pain behind the eyes
Facial pain
Difficulty swallowing
Pain and sensitivity in teeth
Crowded teeth
Receding gums
Ringing or congestion in the ears
Happy muscles work together in harmony and when finished working, rest more comfortably. We utilize a number of sophisticated instruments in our practice of Neuromuscular Dentistry to find the optimum position where the jaws, teeth, and muscles operate in harmony. If you have any of the above symptoms and you’d like more information on Neuromuscular Dentistry, call Windsong Dental Arts at (928) 775-5276.
It’s no secret that most people don’t’ enjoy being on the receiving end of a dentist’s drill. We understand that. That’s why we, at Windsong Dental Arts, are such strong advocates of two procedures that make drilling unnecessary in so many cases.
The first is our new, high-tech, state-of-the-art Diagnodent laser device. It’s a compact cavity-detecting laser capable of finding tooth decay much earlier than x-rays or traditional visual examinations. In fact, research suggests that this painless laser device can detect early tooth decay that a traditional examination misses as much as 76% of the time.
Early detection means easier, less costly treatment, which brings us to the second technique that is replacing conventional drilling in so many cases: the AirAbrasion technique. AirAbrasion is a non-invasive, comfortable, virtually silent form of dentistry. For certain cavities, particularly the ones discovered early, our air abrasion system allows us to remove the decay without the need for drilling. For small- to medium-sized cavities, this technique is very effective. Even better, the technique rarely requires an injection. Unless your teeth are hypersensitive to cold, it is very unlikely that you would have any unpleasant sensation that would make an anesthetic required. In fact, during the last 4,000 AirAbrasion procedures performed here, only seven (7) of our patients required anesthetic.
AirAbrasion literally “wipes” decay away with a gentle stream of concentrated air and a mild abrasive. All you hear is the sound of air passing over the tooth – no decay. Once the decay is removed, we place a virtually invisible filling to restore your tooth’s original natural strength and beauty. It is often difficult even for dentists to see what was done!
For more information on Air Abrasion or the Diagnodent device, call Windsong Dental Arts at (928) 775-5276.
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