Treatment of TMD

TMD treatment occurs in two phases. Phase I treatment is diagnostic in nature in that it’s purpose is to find the ideal resting position of the lower jaw and its muscles, the ideal path of closure, and the ideal bite. This is done through diagnostic testing using computerized instrumentation to find the proper new resting position of the mandible. Non-surgical, orthotic therapy or stabilization is done in this new position.

The key to treating TMD, is getting the muscles out of spasm, relaxed, and happy. To do this, we will pulse the muscles & relax them into a more natural, down and forward, untorqued position using a TENS unit. Once the muscles are relaxed, we will verify muscle activity using EMG’s. After verifying that the muscles are relaxed according to the EMG’s, the bite is then recorded on the proper path of closure, or trajectory, at this new relaxed position, and this path is verified using Jaw Tracking. This new, relaxed position is called the Neuromuscular Position. Therefore, this type of dentistry is called Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD). Notice, all of the diagnostics along the way are verified and measured using instrumentation…there is no subjectivity or guesswork!

Once the orthotic is made in the new, neuromuscular position, this phase could take from three months up to two years depending on how the patient responds. Once the bite is stabilized and the patient is symptom-free, happy, and comfortable, the patient will then move into permanent or Phase II treatment. Phase II treatment is definitive in that it places the teeth into the new position that has been in function on the orthotic for the past several months. This can be done either orthodontically (with braces) to move the teeth into the new position or it can be done restoratively by placing crowns on the teeth to lock them into the new position. The course of treatment is determined by the patient’s specific situation and desires.

Dental insurance does not usually cover TMD treatment, but sometimes, medical insurance will cover some of the costs associated with Phase I treatment. It merely depends on your particular health insurance policy. At Restoration Dental, we will file your medical claim for Phase I treatment at your request to aid you with reimbursement for the costs associated with treatment.

As you can imagine, dentistry such as this is life-changing. At Restoration Dental, we are an LVI trained team offering life-changing Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) for the treatment of TMD with the technology in place to verify our findings.

“If it has been measured, it is a fact. If it has not been measured, it is merely an opinion.”
- Dr. Bernard Jankelson