Neuromuscular dentistry is an exciting and natural way to relieve jaw dysfunction and pain that can affect the rest of the body.

Traditionally, determining the ideal jaw position depended on what felt right to the dentist and what the patient was used to, regardless if it was where the jaw actually belonged or not.
 

For most patients requiring minor treatment this habitual position is acceptable.
 

Not every patient is a candidate for neuromuscular dentistry, and we take care to apply it only when it’s needed or wanted. We are equally comfortable with traditional dentistry – though we won’t manipulate your jaw.
 

However, for patients suffering from symptoms like jaw pain and/or noises, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, worn and broken teeth, grinding, etc., their “normal” bite position may be the source of the problem even if it feels right.
 

Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on relaxing the jaw muscles and letting the jaw muscles go to a comfortable, relieving the muscle tension that is transmitted to the bones and joints.
 

Neuromuscular dentists do not manipulate the jaw, wiggle it into place, or tell you it feels right. Where the jaw muscles are comfortable and relaxed may not be where the teeth fit together as you’re used to, but it will be where the muscles and joints will function best. We monitor what is happening to the muscles with EMGs that measure the activity of specific muscles. Since most headaches originate in muscles, keeping them relaxed helps relieve the pain and the benefits can include relief in unexpected areas of your body.
 

Once we’ve determined the position where the muscles of your jaw are relaxed, we make a custom orthotic that guides your jaw and “retrains” the muscles to seek that position.