Neuromuscular Treatment
If you are diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder of your jaw joint, treatment usually involves three steps:
- Pain relief.
This is our first priority. Dr. Rader uses a technology called ULF-TENS: Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation. This is gentle massage of the muscles that helps them relax. It increases blood flow and provides pain relief by stimulating the production of endorphins. - Stabilize your bite.
We may prescribe a temporary device, known as an orthotic, to wear over your teeth. Adjusting the orthotic helps Dr. Rader determine the correct position of your bite for maximum comfort. Wearing the orthotic can relieve your pain and other symptoms. Then he will be able to adjust your bite to the correct position. - Developing a long term solution.
There are several methods used for long-term bite correction. Which one is appropriate depends on the extent of your problem. One way is to shape your teeth to correct your bite. These shaping adjustments are precise, but very small, and the procedure doesn’t require anesthesia. Shaping can be used when your bite is only slightly out of alignment. A second way is to create a permanent orthotic that will fit over your teeth that you would wear at certain times. Or, sometimes bite reconstruction is needed. With bite reconstruction, crowns or onlays are used to re-shape your teeth. Finally, in some cases, orthodontics can be used to move your teeth to their correct position.
Be assured that relief for your pain is available. The solution may be relatively simple. On the other hand, the TMJ and its relationship to your teeth and muscles are very complex, and a long term solution could be complex and frustrating to treat. An examination is required to be able to give you the answers you want. And, based on what Dr. Rader discovers, he will recommend the most conservative treatment that makes things better for you.
Please request your complimentary information packet or contact Dr. Rader to arrange for a complimentary private consultation. Make your request today. If you are experiencing pain, let us know when you fill out the form and we will schedule your visit as soon as possible.
“I started having neck and facial pain as well as increased tooth war and sensitivity as a result of clenching and grinding my teeth at night. Due to the excessive ware on my teeth, serious dental issues were also arising. Dr. Rader used Neuromuscular techniques to find the precise jaw position for me and performed the dental restorations necessary to ensure we had the correct position for my jaw to rest comfortably.”