TMJ

Neuromuscular dentistry addresses the nerves, muscles, and alignment of the jaw. Omaha tmj dentist, Dr. Beninato in Nebraska uses neuromuscular dentistry to treat TMJ, relieving chronic pain, curing headaches and migraines, and preventing future dental problems.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)

Neuromuscular dentistry is used to prevent, diagnose, and treat TMD/TMJ. TMD/TMJ sufferers often have life-long pain, and their condition is typically misdiagnosed and therefore goes untreated. In addition to chronic pain and discomfort, over time, TMJ can cause other dental problems, including damage due to grinding teeth. TMD/TMJ symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Tooth grinding
• Jaw pain
• Clicking or popping jaw
• Facial pain
• Shoulder, neck, or back pain
• Numbness in arms and fingers
• Ringing ears (tinnitus)
• Congested ears

These are just a few of the painful and frustrating symptoms.

TMD/TMJ treatments consist of several steps:

• Evaluating the bite alignment and nerve and muscle activity
• Relaxing the muscles to relieve the pain
• Correcting the misalignment
• Making the correction permanent

Modern technology allows us to precisely track the movements of your jaw, and determine the proper alignment. We use transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) to relax the muscles, stop spasms, and relieve the pain. Learn more by reading our TMJ Treatments page.

TMD/TMJ is a painful and sometimes debilitating problem. Since the symptoms do not appear to be dental problems, the condition often goes undiagnosed, leading to a lifetime of pain, and years of failed treatments for non-existent conditions. TMD/TMJ is commonly misdiagnosed as migraines sending patients in a fruitless search for a migraine or headache cure. To learn more about the effects of TMJ view our TMJ Symptoms page. You can also view our TMJ Questions page if you have any other basic questions.

Neuromuscular Dentistry

In contrast to traditional dentistry, which focuses only on the teeth and joints, neuromuscular dentistry addresses the entire system of the jaw, its alignment, and how it works together. The nerves and muscles of the jaw are important parts of this equation.

Neuromuscular dentistry can do more than just correcting TMJ. It can be used in dental solutions, such as dentures and partials, to achieve a truly proper fit and prevent TMD/TMJ from developing. Traditional methods typically rely on impressions alone, creating a good but not perfect fit, and entirely overlook the alignment of the jaw. This can create a situation where the teeth do not line up perfectly and as the muscles try to compensate, TMD/TMJ slowly develops.

The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) is the world's premier post-graduate dental teaching center. Leading cosmetic dentists from all over the world attend LVI to learn the most advanced techniques in neuromuscular and cosmetic dentistry. Learn more by visiting the LVI website for neuromuscular dentistry www.leadingdentists.com.

To eliminate symptoms of TMJ, contact us for a personalized consultation if you are in Omaha or Lincoln, Nebraska.