Our Bloomington TMJ Treatment for TMD: Temporomandibular Disorder

TMD is a temporomandibular disorder, or an unbalanced jaw joint. The joint itself – regardless of the disorder - is referred to as the TMJ. Bloomington, MN dentists at Point Family understand how to treat TMD - a common cause of headaches, facial pain, ear pain and tinnitus (ringing of the ears). The joint is located in front of your ears on both sides of your face.

When this joint becomes misaligned, it can lead to painful symptoms. To understand the TMJ, Minneapolis area patients should place their fingers in front of the ears while opening and closing their mouth. If you have a healthy TMJ, you should feel the condyle rotate for about 25mm in the opening, then it should slide downward and forward. The motion should be smooth and symmetrical. If you want to know more about your TMJ in Bloomington, MN, near Minneapolis, call for a consultation with Point Family Dentistry.

About Neuromuscular Dentistry

Traditional dentistry typically treats one tooth or problem at a time. Neuromuscular dentistry (NMD) goes beyond that traditional approach and assesses the entire system of teeth, jaw, joints and muscles to assure they are working in harmony.

A dentist trained in the principles of Neuromuscular Dentistry addresses the causes, not just the symptoms, of your dental problems. With a focus on your dental health - and its relationship to your overall health - a comprehensive approach and state-of-the-art diagnostics are utilized to prepare and implement an individualized treatment plan unique for each patient.

The Science of Neuromuscular Dentistry

Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) utilizes the principles of physiology and anatomy to objectively interpret and evaluate the relationships between the jaw, the teeth, the temporomandibular joints and the muscles of the face and neck. The goal of Neuromuscular Dentistry is to achieve a balanced occlusion based on the optimum relationship between the mandible and the skull.

Dentists refer to the manner in which your teeth come together as your “occlusion” or “bite”. Proper occlusion is one of the most critical components of your dental health. If you have a healthy bite your teeth come together without muscle strain and with your jaw joints functioning in a smooth, quiet and uninterrupted motion. If any of these elements of your occlusion are not working properly you have an improper bite or what dentists call “malocclusion”.

Many factors can cause malocclusion; trauma to the head or neck, worn or damaged teeth, missing teeth, previous dental work, even poor posture can affect the way you bring your teeth together.

A neuromuscular dentist objectively evaluates the current status of the muscles, the teeth and the temporomandibular joints. The muscles are evaluated through the use of electromyography, a diagnostic tool (similar to an EKG) that measures the electrical function of the facial muscles important to the functioning of the jaw. This test (typically referred to as “EMG”) measures the effectiveness of these muscles during function and their status at rest. The teeth are evaluated by a complete dental exam as well as through the study of plaster casts that are created from molds taken of your upper and lower dentition. The function of the temporomandibular joints is evaluated through the use of Computerized Mandibular Scanning (“CMS” or simply “jaw tracking”). CMS allows for the recording of the movement (both up & down, forward & backward and side-to-side) of your lower jaw (the mandible) as you chew and as you open and close your mouth.

Once this information has been recorded and evaluated Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (“ULF-TENS”) is used to help place the muscles of the face and neck into a state of physiological rest. Once this has been achieved he will then, utilizing the jaw tracking instrumentation, record the trajectory the jaw takes as you open and close your mouth – all while the muscles, the teeth and the temporomandibular joints are all working together in physiologic harmony. The end result is a position of occlusion that is called the “neuromuscular bite”, the optimum position of form, function and aesthetics.

The Technology of Neuromuscular Dentistry

An essential tool for the practice of Neuromuscular Dentistry, the K7 Evaluation System provides us with three distinctly different technologies for measuring, displaying and storing objective data on physiologic and anatomical status and function. Sonography for the capture and analysis of temporomandibular joint sounds, Electromyography for the evaluation and analysis of function of the muscles of the face and neck and Jaw Tracking to aid in determining and capturing the correct neuromuscular position of the jaw. This objective data enhances the diagnostic and treatment considerations with information not previously available.

The J5 Myomonitor is a TENS unit designed especially for the Neuromuscular Dentist. Technically called a “Transcutaneous Neural Stimulation” device, the J5 relaxes the muscles of your face and neck to help determine the proper trajectory or “path of closure” for your jaw. TENSing is mild electrical stimulus of your facial and cervical muscles that typically is done over a period of 45-60 minutes.

Neuromuscular Dental Treatment Options

After you have had your neuromuscular evaluation and your neuromuscular bite along the correct neuromuscular trajectory has been determined a special mouthpiece for you called an anatomical orthosis is created. The orthosis is worn over the lower teeth and serves to properly realign your bite orthopedically to the most muscle comfortable position. Once your muscles have become adjusted to this new position (usually over a period of 3-12 months), you will have several treatment options available to you:

• Orthosis Therapy
• Orthodontic Therapy
• Reconstructive Therapy
• Combination of any of the above

The advantages and disadvantages of the treatment options you choose will be discussed with your dentist. He can then co-diagnose your treatment options with you and help you select the treatment that will best suit your individual needs.

Providing Bloomington, MN TMJ treatment for Minneapolis,Edina, St. Paul, Chanhassen, Richfield, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eden Prairie, Savage, Prior Lake, Minnetonka, Plymouth and Shakopee.