How Does Neuromuscular Dentistry Differ from General and Cosmetic Dentistry?

    MESA, AZ, May 22, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Neuromuscular dentistry. It's not a phrase you hear every day, but it's a growing specialty in the field of dentistry. Neuromuscular dentists work with issues beyond the usual treatment of teeth and gums, and often bring relief to people who've dealt with long-term, undiagnosed pain.

Traditional dentistry focuses on the health of the teeth and gums, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of the teeth. These are important elements of overall dental health, but they're only part of the picture. Neuromuscular dentistry fills out this picture, addressing elements of oral health that general and cosmetic dentistry don't.

Neuromuscular dentists receive training beyond that of general dentists. This training focuses on the nerves, joints, and muscle structure of the face, and how these work together with the jaw and teeth. For example, a misaligned bite in a child can cause issues as the child grows older, causing tension in the jaw muscles that can compress nerves and lead to chronic problems. A neuromuscular dentist can spot these issues early on and prevent them from becoming serious problems.

A major focus of neuromuscular dentistry is the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. Also known as TMJ, this disorder occurs when the joint between the lower and upper jaw becomes misaligned. TMD can be caused by:

• Misalignment in the teeth
• Injury or trauma
• Teeth grinding or bruxis
• Genetic factors

Because of the wide variety of symptoms associated with TMD, it can be notoriously difficult to diagnose. It's also been difficult to treat effectively, but with the rise of neuromuscular dentistry, more and more effective diagnostic procedures and treatments have come into use.

Symptoms of TMD include:

• Persistent headaches
• Jaw, neck, and/or shoulder pain
• Numbness in the hands
• Earaches

While many of these symptoms wouldn't immediately make you think to go to the dentist, they are common in those suffering from TMD. Neuromuscular dentists can diagnose these symptoms and get to the root of their cause, often ending years of bothersome or even debilitating discomfort.

For information about neuromuscular dentistry treatment in Mesa, Arizona, as well as Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, please contact cosmetic and neuromuscular dentists Scott LeSueur, D.D.S., and Charles Dodaro, D.D.S.

Source: Scott LeSueur, D.D.S., and Charles Dodaro, D.D.S.
Website: http://www.drsofsmiles.com

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