Posted October 29, 2014.
Dr. Dano is not only trained and skilled in caring for dental patients with neuromuscular problems, he understands the pain and frustration that goes along with an improper diagnosis because his wife has suffered with this condition herself and found relief through neuromuscular treatment. Improper diagnosis can lead to unsuccessful orthodontic treatment when what the patient may actually need is a realignment of the way his or her jaw functions.
Neuromuscular orthodontics focuses beyond the immediate and visual issues guests present with their teeth. Malocclusion (crooked bite) and TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) are caused by problems that occur within the muscles, nerves, ligaments and bones that make up the head and neck. Not only will this affect the appearance of your jaw-it can change the shape of your face.
If a person’s bite is out of alignment, a wealth of problems can result. Some of these can include difficulty with speech, eating, hearing, breathing, swallowing, chewing and making facial expressions. You may also suffer from many different symptoms that seem unrelated to the actual cause like:
- Migraine and other headaches
- Tinnitus
- Movement disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Allergies
Neuromuscular orthodontics emphasizes the relationships between all of the components that make up the jaw muscles and how they affect one another. All of this affects the function of your teeth and determines the way you bite, chew and the wear and tear on your teeth over time.
Neuromuscular Orthodontic Technology
Part of the technology used in neuromuscular orthodontics is a TENS unit. Ultra-Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation is used to relax the muscles of the face and jaw in order for Dr. Dano to be able to determine your ideal jaw position. The TENS unit also allows him to be able to relieve some of your pain while determining the best method of treatment for you.
Diagnosis is aided by the Myotronics K-7 Evaluation System. One component is computerized jaw tracking that allows Dr. Dano to correctly diagnose the movements of your jaw. A small magnet is placed on the front of your lower jaw, just below your teeth. Sensors placed on your face track the movements of your jaw and muscles and transfer the information to a computer. This information is displayed on a monitor so that the movements of your jaw can be clearly seen by the doctor. The sounds your jaw makes in different positions will also be tracked and recorded. In addition, the electrical impulses from your jaw can be measured to determine when your jaw is at its best resting position.
Through neuromuscular orthodontics and technology, Dr. Dano and his Team are able to treat symptoms and problems with your jaw that would otherwise go undetected.