Neuromuscular Dentistry
Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on the relationship between the muscles, joints, tendons, nerves and bones in the sensitive connective area between your jaw and your skull.
One of the primary objectives of neuromuscular dentistry is the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder (commonly referred to as TMJ or TMD) and its subsequent treatment through achieving a proper bite position. Pittsburgh dentist Dr. Charles Frye are among the few dentist in the Pittsburgh area trained in the field of neuromuscular dentistry.
Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on the relationship between the muscles, joints, tendons, nerves and bones in the sensitive connective area between your jaw and your skull.
One of the primary objectives of neuromuscular dentistry is the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder (commonly referred to as TMJ or TMD) and its subsequent treatment through achieving a proper bite position. Pittsburgh dentist Quartuccio and Dr. Charles Frye are among the few dentist in the Pittsburgh area trained in the field of neuromuscular dentistry.
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Because the painful condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD) is accompanied by symptoms shared with other ailments, it is frequently misdiagnosed by those without extensive experience in the field of neuromuscular dentistry.
Using state-of-the-art technology and drawing on their postgraduate education in neuromuscular dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), Pittsburgh dentist and Dr. Charles Frye can determine the source of your TMJ/TMD symptoms and create a custom treatment plan to relieve your discomfort.
Headaches and Other Signs of TMJ/TMD
Chronic, migraine-like headaches are the most common symptoms of TMJ/TMD. However, most people who suffer from TMJ/TMD experience multiple symptoms that may also include:
- Difficulty biting, chewing and swallowing
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw sticking or locking
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
- Pain in the back, face, neck and shoulders
- Inability to widely open your mouth
- Inability to find a comfortable, consistent resting position for your mouth
As many of these symptoms are also associated with medical conditions including arthritis, sinus infections, periodontal disease and migraines, TMJ/TMD is often incorrectly diagnosed by physicians and dentist who lack specialized training in neuromuscular dentistry.
Questions about Your TMJ/TMD Symptoms
When preparing for your TMJ/TMD assessment with the Allison Park neuromuscular dentist at Dentonics, considering the following questions may be helpful in pinpointing the cause of your TMJ/TMD:
- What symptoms do you experience?
- How long have you experienced these symptoms?
- Did the symptoms begin individually or in conjunction with one another?
- Do you experience the symptoms separately or together?
- Do particular activities seem to trigger your symptoms?
The answers to these questions in addition to a detailed examination that includes a computerized analysis of your bite and jaw alignment will provide the foundation for your personalized TMJ/TMD treatment.
If you live in the Pittsburgh or Allison Park, Pennsylvania, areas and would like to learn more about the symptoms and treatment options for TMJ/TMD, please contact Dentonics to schedule your consultation with neuromuscular dentist or Dr. Charles Frye. We would love to meet you, show you our dental home and welcome you to our extended family.
The condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD) can result in painful, progressive symptoms including severe, migraine-like headaches.
Using the principles of neuromuscular dentistry, Pittsburgh neuromuscular dentist and Dr. Charles Frye can accurately diagnose the cause of your TMJ/TMD and develop a customized treatment plan to correct the problem and relieve your discomfort.
One of the most popular and effective treatments for TMJ/TMD is transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS). TENS applies mild electrical stimulation that relaxes your jaw and facial muscles, and allows your jaw to settle into a natural and comfortable resting position. We offer patients both in-office TENS treatment, as well as a take-home TENS unit depending on the severity of your condition and individual needs.
More advanced cases of TMJ/TMD may necessitate the use of removable or fixed oral appliances designed to bring your jaw into alignment or correct a bite condition. If necessary, we may refer you to an orthodontist for further assessment and treatment of a bite condition.
In some cases, simply stopping a bad oral habit like nail biting, ice chewing or teeth grinding may put an end to your TMJ/TMD discomfort. We may also recommend chiropractic treatment, massage or physical therapy as required by your specific TMJ/TMD symptoms.
Because the pain associated with TMJ/TMD can be caused by a range of teeth spacing issues, bite conditions and jaw alignment problems, only a thorough consultation with an experienced neuromuscular dentist can determine the ideal treatment option for you.
If you live in the Pittsburgh, or Allison Park, Pennsylvania, areas and would like to learn more about the symptoms and treatment options for TMJ/TMD, please contact Dentonics to schedule your consultation with neuromuscular dentist or Dr. Charles Frye. We would love to meet you and find the best solution for restoring comfort and function to your jaw and bite.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (frequently abbreviated as TMJ or TMD) is a common and often misdiagnosed condition that emanates from the connective area between your jaw and skull and causes migraine-like headaches and other painful symptoms.
Because many TMJ/TMD symptoms correspond with other health conditions including migraines, sinus ailments, arthritis and periodontal disease, temporomandibular joint disorder is typically missed by physicians and dentist who lack specialized training in the field of neuromuscular dentistry. Using advanced technology, Pittsburgh neuromuscular dentist and Dr. Charles Frye can diagnose the source of your TMJ/TMD and design a custom treatment to relieve your discomfort.
The Root of TMJ/TMD
Temporomandibular joint disorder gets its name from the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. Around this joint is a complex network of muscles, tendons, bones and nerves.
One of these nerves is the trigeminal nerve, which is instrumental in your ability to bite, chew, swallow and feel sensation in your face. A bite condition or misaligned jaw can overstress your trigeminal nerve and other sensitive components in this connective region, resulting in chronic headaches and other symptoms including:
- Migraine headaches
- Difficulty biting, chewing and swallowing
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw sticking or locking
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
- Pain in the back, face, neck and shoulders
- Inability to widely open your mouth
- Inability to find a comfortable, consistent resting position for your mouth
TMJ/TMD Diagnosis
The Pittsburgh neuromuscular dentist at Dentonics use advanced technology to determine your proper bite alignment and diagnose the source of your TMJ/TMD-related discomfort.
Accurate assessment of TMJ/TMD includes measuring multiple aspects of your teeth and jaw, locating your jaw’s optimal resting position, and assessing your jaw’s movement with computerized tracking and sonography. These details will form the foundation for your customized TMJ/TMD treatment plan.
TMJ/TMD Treatment Options
Some instances of TMJ/TMD may be corrected by stopping poor oral health habits such as teeth grinding, pen biting or ice chewing. In other cases, the use of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) may be an ideal solution. TENS employs mild electrical stimulation to relax your jaw muscles and allow your jaw to settle into a natural and comfortable resting position.
For TMJ/TMD patients who require bite repositioning, an oral appliance may be necessary. If not treated, TMJ/TMD can cause inflammation, swelling and progressive discomfort; TMJ/TMD may also contribute to further dental problems including premature tooth wear and gum disease.
If you live in the Pittsburgh, or Allison Park, Pennsylvania, areas and would like to learn more about TMJ/TMD diagnosis and treatment, please contact Dentonics to schedule your personal consultation with or Dr. Charles Frye. We would love to meet you and welcome you to our extended dental family.
One common cause of migraine headaches is tooth grinding or clenching. Also called bruxism, this condition is often a result of stress or anxiety. For many people, tooth grinding or clenching happens when they are sleeping, so it can be extremely difficult to stop the behavior on your own. Bruxism can lead to a wide range of dental and general health problems, including:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Debilitating migraine headaches
- Worn teeth
- Muscle pain
If you suffer from migraine headaches in Pittsburgh, our experienced neuromuscular dentist can help you determine if the cause is related to a jaw alignment issue such as TMJ. At Dentonics, we use state-of-the-art diagnostics and a range of neuromuscular dentistry treatment options to effectively alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with chronic, debilitating migraine headaches.
If you’ve struggled to find relief for your migraines, you may want to see if neuromuscular dentistry solutions can help. Please call 412-487-6910 today to schedule an appointment at our Pittsburgh dental office.
Migrain Treatment Options
There are a range of treatment options for migraines that are caused by bruxism or TMJ. Although TMJ is a common condition, the underlying causes can be complex and the condition is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. Consulting with Dr. Frye is the best way to make sure you receive an accurate diagnosis of your condition. This will ensure the right treatment for your particular case is recommended.
Dr. Frye use advanced technology to analyze your bite and accurately assess your underlying condition. This approach to migraine treatment allows for effective individualized care. Some of the most common migraine treatments we recommend include:
- TENS Therapy: Transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) uses a mild electrical stimulation to relax the muscles of the jaw and face. This deep relaxation allows your jaw to settle into its natural resting position.
- Oral Appliances: Both fixed and removable oral appliances may be used to bring your jaw into alignment. Mouth guards may be used to protect the teeth from the wear and tear of bruxism.
- Dental Restorations: Dental restorations may be used to help restore proper bite alignment.
- Other Treatments: Depending on your specific TMJ symptoms, we may recommend other treatments, including orthodontics, chiropractic treatment, massage or physical therapy.
Contact our Neuromuscular Dentist for Migraine Treatment
If you live in the areas of Pittsburgh or Allison Park, Pennsylvania and would like to learn more about individualized migraine treatment, please contact Dentonics using the form on this page or call 412-487-6910 today to schedule your consultation with or Dr. Charles Frye.
Although temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD) is a common condition that affects millions of men and women, it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed by those without special training in the field of neuromuscular dentistry.
The Pittsburgh neuromuscular dentist at Dentonics are proud to offer Pittsburgh-area residents state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment options for TMJ/TMD. Following are the answers to some commonly asked questions about neuromuscular dentistry and TMJ/TMD.
What causes TMJ/TMD?
The source of most TMJ/TMD symptoms is undue stress placed on the sensitive network of joints, nerves, muscles, tendons and bones in the connective region between your jaw and skull. This stress may be caused by:
- A bite condition
- Jaw misalignment
- Joint damage
- Muscle damage or fatigue
What are the most common symptoms of TMJ/TMD?
TMJ/TMD typically causes multiple symptoms which may include:
- Difficulty biting, chewing and swallowing
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw sticking or locking
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
- Pain in the back, face, neck and shoulders
How can a neuromuscular dentist alleviate the pain associated with TMJ/TMD?
Neuromuscular dentist like and Dr. Charles Frye have extensive training in the complex relationship of the nerves, joints, tendons, muscles and bones centered in the tiny area where your jaw and skull connect. Applying this knowledge and using advanced technology including computerized jaw movement tracking and sonography, we can determine the source of your discomfort and devise a custom treatment plan to correct the problem and relieve your pain.
How is TMJ/TMD treated?
There are a number of TMJ/TMD treatment options available including transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) and oral appliances. The best solution for you will depend on the specifics of your condition.
If you live in the Pittsburgh or Allison Park, Pennsylvania, areas and would like to learn more about the symptoms and treatment options for TMJ/TMD, please contact Dentonics to schedule your consultation with neuromuscular dentist or Dr. Charles Frye. We would love to meet you and welcome you to our extended family.