Neuromuscular Dentistry and TMD
Smile Makeover Professional
Ottawa, Ontario
Neuromuscular dentistry is the area of dentistry that strives to place the jaw in its optimal position, relieving the symptoms associated with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Neuromuscular dentistry works with the hard tissues and soft tissues, muscles and nerves. When the jaw is misaligned, both the hard and soft tissues are affected and many physiological problems can result. When the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is not aligned properly, a number of symptoms may appear including:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Facial pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Clicking or popping sound in the jaw
- Tight jaw muscles
- Ringing in the ears
If you have some combination of these symptoms and have found no relief at your doctor's office, you may be suffering from TMD. Highly trained neuromuscular dentists like Dr. Cope and Dr. Camellato in Ottawa, Canada can evaluate your symptoms, and following a thorough examination, will be able to tell you if you suffer from TMD. Both doctors received much of their neuromuscular dentistry training at the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), the world's premiere dental teaching school.
TMD is a chronic degenerative disorder that often takes years to develop; at the current time, several million North Americans suffer with this debilitating condition, and many don't even realize it. Only a highly trained neuromuscular dentist can determine what is the optimal position for your jaw.
TMD Treatment
Once you have been diagnosed with TMD, your dentist will discuss the various treatment options with you. Some of the most successful TMD treatments include adjusting the bite, orthotics, orthodontics, and restoring the teeth to their correct positions. Once Dr. Cope or Dr. Camellato has diagnosed your TMD, she or he will determine your best course of treatment. Typically, treatment will involve the following:
- Relieve muscle pain and spasms
- Stabilize the bite
- Manage the bite long-term
Conroy Dental Center uses state-of-the-art technology to determine if your symptoms are caused by malocclusion (misaligned bite) and to find the optimal position for your jaw. We will use computerized jaw tracking instruments to record jaw movement, resting position and path of closure. Additionally, x-rays may be taken and sonography may be used to record jaw joint sounds to detect abnormalities.
Your years of suffering can end here. Dr. Cope and Dr. Camellato have diagnosed and treated TMD patients with great success for years. To learn more about the painful symptoms of TMD and how this condition can be treated, please contact Conroy Dental Center in Ottawa to schedule your initial consultation today.