Millions of people worldwide have been conflicted with pain in their temporomandibular joint and corresponding bone, muscles and tissue surrounding the immediate area. Some of this pain is due to genetic abnormalities, some of it is due to injury and other are conflicted with pain in the joint and they are not even sure where it came from. Chances are if you have visited your dentist as a result of this, he or she gave you a referral to visit the neuromuscular dentist.
Neuromuscular dentistry has been around a long time and is a continuing branch of dentistry that specifically focuses on problems associated with the temporomandibular joint, lower jaw or mandible.
The symptoms that a neuromuscular dentist sees in relation to the temporomandibular joint and the corresponding area can be vast and difficult to pin point as to the exact source of the discomfort. It is not uncommon for the neuromuscular dentist to have patients that complain of headaches, facial pain and numbness, neck and back pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears, limited jaw movement, popping noises in the jaw, bruxing, sensitive teeth, pain in the ocular region, swelling in the face and uncomfortable bites. All of these symptoms can be directly linked to problems with the jaw and the temporomandibular joint and region.
Jaw Abnormalities can Cause Headaches, Facial, Neck and Back Pain and Dizziness
Because of the complexity that exists in the day to day activities that a neuromuscular dentist may perform, they must rely on new and evolving technology to make sure that they give a proper diagnosis and prescribe the correct course of treatment. Technology has done wonders to advance the practices of neuromuscular dentistry.
There are several pieces of technology that neuromuscular dentistry relies on and uses on a regular basis. This includes but is not limited to, electromyography equipment which measures muscle and joint activity. Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) and Joint Movement Analysis (JMA) are used to determine other issues with the jaw joint itself.
Because of the extensive training that a neuromuscular dentist endures and the extremely high cost of equipment and other support that can be associated with a visit to the neuromuscular dentist, patient costs can be very high. In fact the neuromuscular dentist can be one of the most expensive professionals that you may ever see.
Make sure if you are going to see the neuromuscular dentist that you get a specific referral from a dentist or someone you trust to get the maximum out of your time and money. |
