Headaches, Migraines, Popping or Clicking Jaws

When your teeth and jaws are out of alignment, the muscles of your neck and shoulders try to compensate causing a variety of symptoms that cannot be relieved until the jaws are re-aligned.  It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans suffer from TMJ/Neuromuscular symptoms, although most do not know to relate them to jaw misalignment or to tell a LVI trained neuromuscular dentist. Neuromuscular dentistry addresses the muscles that control jaw position, swallowing, and chewing, the foundation upon which a healthy smile is built.  Neuromuscular dentistry strives to reposition the jaw to its optimal physiological position, thus relieving the symptoms.  In other words, the symptoms related to jaw misalignment can be successfully treated to significantly reduce or eliminate them when optimal correction is achieved.  Postponement of treatment usually results in more damage to the joints, muscles, and teeth. 

A healthy smile begins with a healthy bite (occlusion).  This treatment approach determines the optimal physiological position of the jaw by measuring the most relaxed position of the head and neck muscles and then repositions the jaw to achieve these exact measurements.  TMJ/neuromuscular treatments stabilize the muscles that control the jaw.  Muscles that are not stabilized create uneven tooth wear and fractures, headaches, and a host of physical and dental disorders that can in some instances be debilitating. 

TMJ/neuromuscular treatment begins at Preston Road Dental Care, PA, with your precise diagnosis.  TMJ visits begin using advanced computer technology that sends painless mild electro-pulses into facial muscles.  Once the muscles are relaxed, this ultimate stress-free and most restful position of the jaw muscles is determined.  A removable orthotic treatment appliance is then designed to fit unobtrusively over your lower teeth to help reposition the bite and stabilize the facial muscles in a comfortable position, thus facilitating healing.

Patients that may have suffered for years share that their headaches and other symptoms diminish or disappear and they often no longer need pain medication.  Some that have been so debilitated that they could not even work, find quality to their life once again and a return to a normal lifestyle.  For many, TMJ/neuromuscular dentistry is life-changing.

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