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Dr. Steven Lind, DMD
PH. 503-566-7000
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Neuromuscular Dentistry
Bite Reconstruction

Neuromuscular dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with problems associated with the mismatch between the position of maximum rest for the jaw muscles and the position the jaw is held in by the hard elements of the mouth. In other words, when you think you are relaxing your jaw, your muscles may not actually be in a relaxed position. In fact, they cannot ever get into a relaxed position because the position of your teeth and jaw prevent them from doing so. If your bite is out of alignment, you may experience headaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), pain in your neck, jaw, face, and back.

Neuromuscular dentistry seeks to harmonize the relationship between the hard and soft tissue of the mouth. In other words, the goal is to make sure that your teeth, jaw, and skull fit together in a way that promotes the relaxation of your muscles.

How Does Neuromuscular Differ from General and Cosmetic Dentistry?
Neuromuscular diagnosis: Part of the diagnosis of a neuromuscular dental condition is your self-reporting of symptoms that include:

If you have been experiencing these systems and have been unable to locate the cause, it may be that your muscles are constantly working against your bite.

Dr. Lind has advanced training in neuromuscular dentistry, and can examine your teeth, muscles and bite to determine the extent of dysfunction present. They can identify muscle tension, and with the use of the advanced Myotronics K6 diagnostic equipment, even determine the extent of muscle tension present at different positions of your bite to identify the precise position of maximum rest for your jaw. In addition, using Transcutaneous Electric Neural Stimulation (TENS), they can immediately relieve many of the symptoms associated with muscle tension.

Neuromuscular Bite Reconstruction
Once the correct position of your jaw has been identified, treatment can begin. First, you will receive a temporary orthotic that positions your jaw in an ideal position. This is necessary to confirm that the new position of your jaw is both better for your muscles and provides extended relief of your neuromuscular symptoms. Once the best position of your jaw has been determined, you can receive a neuromuscular bite reconstruction, which uses onlays, crowns, and veneers to make sure that the position of your jaw fostered by the hard components matches that favored by the soft components, the muscles and nerves. To learn more about neuromuscular bite reconstruction, contact The Art of Smile Making today to set up your complimentary consultation.

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