How is Jaw Pain Related to Neuromuscular Dentistry?

    PHOENIX, AZ, December 30, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized field of dentistry related to the interaction between the nerves, muscles, joints, tendons and bones that are impacted by your bite position and jaw alignment.

A bite condition--such as an overbite or crossbite--or a misaligned jaw can place excessive stress on the connective region between your jaw and your skull. Within this compact area is a network that includes your temporomandibular joint, which is integral to jaw movement, and the trigeminal nerve, which registers sensation in your face and plays a role in biting, chewing and swallowing.

Chronic pressure on the components of this sensitive connective area can contribute to dental problems and conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder (also referred to as TMD or TMJ). In fact, the diagnosis and treatment of TMD/TMJ is one of the primary aims of neuromuscular dentistry.

Although many people suffer from the painful symptoms of TMD/TMJ, the condition is often misdiagnosed because its signs do not overtly appear to be those of a dental problem. Neuromuscular dentists have the extensive additional training necessary to connect the symptoms of TMD/TMJ to the actual source, which is most often a bite condition, jaw alignment issue, or a combination of both.

Migraine-like headaches and jaw pain are the most common symptoms of TMD/TMJ, but they are often experienced in conjunction with other symptoms including:

- Difficulty biting, chewing or swallowing
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Face, neck, shoulder or back pain
- Jaw popping or clicking
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and fingers

Neuromuscular dentists use advanced technology to:

- Precisely measure your jaw and teeth
- Determine the extent of any bite condition
- Find your jaw's correct resting position
- Map the manner in which your jaw moves as you speak and eat

This information provides your neuromuscular dentist the foundation for developing a custom treatment plan to relieve your jaw pain and other TMD/TMJ symptoms.

If you live in the Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale or Tempe, Arizona, areas and would like to learn more about neuromuscular dentistry and how it can provide the basis for your TMD/TMJ treatment, please visit the website of neuromuscular dentists Dr. Scott LeSueur and Dr. Charles Dodaro at http://www.drsofsmiles.com.

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