Neuromuscular Dentistry & TMD

The Beginnings of Neuromuscular Dentistry
Dr Barney Jankelson, also known as "the Father of Neuromuscular Dentistry", was a pioneering dental physician who began espousing Neuromuscular Dentistry as a dental treatment philosophy in 1970.

During the greater part of the 20th Century, dentists believed that their patients' head, neck & jaw pain was a result of mal-aligned upper & lower teeth. So, they focused soley on the relationship between the upper & lower dentition, in order to correct & recommend pain relief treatments to those patients.

What Dr. Jankelson proposed, was that instead of just considering the teeth, dentists should also consider the muscles, nerves, bones and Temporomandibular joints. This would provide dentists with the proper data set they required, to accurately diagnose & treat their patients' symptoms.

Dr. Barney's New Treatment Philosophy proposed that the Temporomandibular joints (your jaw joints, commonly referred to as TMJ), masticatory muscles (facial muscles used for chewing) and central nervous system mechanisms follow the same general physiologic and anatomic laws applicable to all musculoskeletal systems.

Simply Put...
Dr. Jankelson realized that the muscles, nerves and bones in your head, follow the same rules as the muscles and skeletal system of your body. They ALL play significant & specific roles in the dysfunction of the head. He used the sciences of biology, physiology, and anatomy to broaden his fellow dentists' perspectives, as well as develop what we now call the principles of Neuromuscular Dentistry.

Neuromuscular Dentistry Today
Today's Neuromuscular Dentistry Treatments focus on eliminating negative neurologic input to the trigeminal nervous system (the nerves responsible for sensation in the face), and combating the facial muscles' natural adaptation to jaw misalignment. This misalignment & muscle adaptation frequently results in secondary problems at the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).

Neuromuscular Dentists understand that these "misalignment problem(s)" result in repetitive strain injuries (known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder - TMD) , as the muscles attempt to function in their proper manner, but must struggle to overcome the underlying structure of your mouth & teeth. With the combined use of Patient History, Physical Examination & Advanced Technology, today's dentists can provide a more thorough evaluation & TMD treatment plan.

Some Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) include:

• Headaches / migraines
• Facial pain
• Back, neck and shoulder pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Sensitive and sore teeth
• Jaw pain
• Clicking or popping in the jaw joints
• Jaw joint pain
• Clenching/bruxing
• Tender sensitive teeth
• Pain behind the eyes
• Swelling on the side of the face and/or mouth

To Learn More about Neuromuscular Dentistry, contact Dr. Paul Coleman at the Coleman Center for Cosmetic Dentistry (858) 748-4802 and/or drc@drpaulcoleman.com.

If you're Experiencing TMD Symptoms, please contact your local dental professional immediately.

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Dr. Paul Coleman and his team at The Coleman Center for Cosemetic Dentistry, located at 12324 Oak Knoll Rd. Poway, CA 92064, have been proudly serving the Dental, Cosmetic Dentistry & Neuromuscular Dentistry needs of San Deigo for over 20 Years. Contact us today to setup your Free Dental Consultation & get the Smile You Deserve.