As science continues to advance, we learn more about our bodies and overall health. When it comes to your dental health, there are more ways than ever to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy! Neuromuscular dentistry is an innovative way to correct misaligned jaws and straighten teeth. If you’ve been dealing with the side effects of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, you may have experience with treatments that simply mask your symptoms.
Here at Boger Dental, we believe in getting to the root of the problem. As one of the only providers of neuromuscular dentistry in Plymouth, our goal is to help you balance your bite and help you achieve a healthy, pain-free smile! Keep reading to learn more about neuromuscular dentistry and how our team can help you!
Understanding TMJ Disorders
When it comes to finding a solution to your dental problems, we believe it’s important for you to understand every aspect of what’s going on. The temporomandibular joints serve as a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull, with one on either side of your jaw. TMJ disorders can cause pain in your muscles, making it difficult to move your jaw.
When you deal with TMJ disorders, you may encounter jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or jaw clicking and locking. If TMJ disorders are left untreated, you could experience significant discomfort and tension throughout your life. Many people are unaware that chronic pain can also lead to the development of other disorders, including depression.
All About Neuromuscular Dentistry
Neuromuscular dentistry was first discovered in the early 70s as the relationship of the upper and lower jaws was determined to be connected to muscles, nerves, bones, and two temporomandibular joints. Neuromuscular dentists understand that poor posture and a bad bite can cause persistent pain and dysfunction. That’s why we believe it’s important to find each individual’s ideal bite.
Neuromuscular dentistry uses reliable methods to determine a balanced physiologic bite that supports the harmony of your muscles, joints, and teeth, enabling you to comfortably open and close your mouth. Finding your ideal jaw position, both in motion and in rest, can serve to reduce or eliminate TMJ pain. Correcting your bite can even help reduce the damage and natural wear on your teeth, as well as reduce stress and strain on your head and neck muscles.
At Boger Dentistry, we believe that a strong, healthy, balanced bite is the key to achieving optimal oral health. When you schedule your initial consultation with our doctors, our team will use a variety of high-tech, computerized instruments to measure your jaw movements and muscle activity. This will help us determine the full extent of your problem and establish a natural resting position for your jaw. From there, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.
Stages of Neuromuscular Dentistry
Here at Boger Dental, there are a few steps that go into your neuromuscular treatment. After your initial diagnosis, your doctor will make a temporary orthotic/night guard. This is designed to eliminate grinding and clenching as well as help with TMJ pain and discomfort. This is typically worn for about two months, allowing time for your mouth to adjust to the new position.
Once your optimal bite is achieved, your dentist will establish a long-term plan to maintain this positioning. We’ll use one of three methods for this:
Long-term orthotic wear is a common choice for patients here in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. This requires you to wear your orthotic guard either only at night or around the clock. Over time, your guard will wear down and need to be replaced, especially if you wear it while eating!
Orthodontic therapy utilizes braces treatment to permanently shift your teeth to the positions your doctor determines for your optimal health. After braces treatment, you will typically need to wear a retainer to maintain your new straighter smile.
Tooth reconstruction includes dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, and veneers to reconstruct your bite. These methods will last long-term and help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you desire!
Cost of Neuromuscular Dentistry
The cost of any dental treatment will depend upon your unique needs and goals. Here at Boger Dental, our team is committed to providing high-quality, affordable dental treatment to patients of all ages in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. If you’re interested in learning more about neuromuscular dentistry, be sure to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss the complete cost of your treatment as well as breakdown everything included.
We offer affordable financing options through CareCredit and Lending Club for patients who qualify. If you don’t have dental insurance, our office also offers a savings program. With Smile Benefits from Boger Dental, you’ll have access to savings on personalized, affordable dental care without the typical insurance hassle. No matter how you decide to go about treatment, our team will be happy to answer your questions and help you every step of the way.
Get the Healthy Smile You Deserve with Boger Dental
If you’ve been dealing with the painful side effects of TMJ disorders, the Boger Dental team is here to help you. Neuromuscular dentistry could be just what you need to achieve your optimal oral health and a smile you can’t wait to show off. Why use a bandaid when you can eliminate the problem? Our dentists are here to care for your smile and help you overcome the difficulties of TMJ disorders.
To learn more about neuromuscular dentistry and how our team of experts can help you, schedule an initial consultation today. We look forward to helping you along your dental journey!