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HEALTH VIEW 2 N E U R O M U S C U L A R D E N T I S T R Y

Neuromuscular Dentistry SOLVING THE PAIN PUZZLE ONE PATIENT AT A TIME by Sid Solomon, DDS

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MODERN DENTISTRY

PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN DIAGNOSING AND

TREATING MANY CHRONIC ACHES AND

PAINS. NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTRY IS A

BRANCH OF DENTISTRY THAT CONSIDERS

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF

VARIOUS HEAD AND NECK SYMPTOMS.

ITS FOCUS AND BEAUTY IS IN FINDING

THE ETIOLOGY OF A NUMBER OF BODILY

CHRONIC ACHES AND PAINS MOST

PATIENTS NEVER THOUGHT COULD

HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH

THEIR TEETH!

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In many cases, a misaligned TMJ and resulting misaligned

bite can lead to a myriad of bodily

dysfunctions.

It is clearly obvious that we are connected from head to toe. Today’s technology and science enables dentists to be more than tooth doctors. Dentists provide diagnoses and treatment which affect the patient’s entire body.

We are able to provide a comprehen-sive approach to our patient’s needs, focusing on more than teeth and gums—also taking into consideration the intricate nerves and muscles in the head and neck.

I am personally always amazed by the power of a proper diagnosis and how a very simple solution can often change a patient’s life dramatically. The solution I am able to provide, as a neuromuscular dentist, is focused around an omnipotent yet often unnoticed joint called the temporomandibular joint.

TMJ Disorder and PainConservative estimates indicate that 25 to 30 percent of the American population suffers from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. If we include patients with signs of TMJ but no pain yet, this number is closer to a whopping 70 percent of the American population! TMJ affects the head and neck and can result in a myriad of chronic pain issues such as headaches and migraines, facial/neck/back pain, postural changes and problems,

ringing in the ears, clicking/popping/locking of the jaw joint, pain behind the eyes, sleep disorders, digestive problems and even an inability to breathe properly.

These symptoms often go undiag-nosed by medical doctors and this is where neuromuscular dentistry plays a vital role in properly diagnosing and clinically resolving these chronic pain issues.

Diagnosing TMJ DisorderIn many cases, a misaligned TMJ and resulting misaligned bite can lead to a myriad of bodily dysfunctions. With the assistance of advanced technology, we can effectively find the patient’s corr ect bite and eliminate the symptoms at their source.

The science behind neuromuscular dentistry involves state of the art diagnostic tools and technology in full alignment with modern medical standards.

Just as cardiologists take EKGs of the heart, the K7 evaluation com-puter system enables Neuromuscular dentists to take EMGs (electromy-ographies) of the jaw’s TMJ. These EMG scans are taken by attaching the patient to a computerized man-dibular scanner. These scans help us determine the current biological bite and the optimal physiological

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bite of each patient. These measurements cannot by any means be attained by the naked eye—the K7 system is absolutely essential to proper measuring.

Another very important technological tool is the TENS (transcutaneous electrical stimulation) unit which is used to completely relax the jaw joint, clinically undoing any torque the jaw may have.

The TENS unit is connected to trigger points on the patient’s head and neck and sends rhythmic pulses to each of those points in a measured rate controlled by the practitioner. This increases blood flow, the release of endorphins, and the movement of waste products in order to relax the jaw and place the TMJ in its proper position.

Using this technique, we are able to find the patient’s optimal physiological bite position and register this information with the assistance of the K7 evaluation computer system. These measurements are then sent to a neuromuscular lab that fabricates an orthosis device according to our specifications.

The orthosis device is a very thin, three dimensional, plastic mouthpiece worn on the lower teeth. It is a frontless device which is very comfortable to wear and not visible.

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Essentially, the orthosis device enables the TMJ to be gently moved into its optimal bite position, thereby eliminating all of the patient’s related pain issues. This procedure is not an instant cure, but it is a clinically-proven method to correct the realignment of the jaw and improve the overall health of a patient.

Every TMJ case I see gives me a chance to improve another person’s quality of life and well being. I personally cherish this opportunity and give every patient my very best in order to provide them with some relief.

I am honored to have been educated and trained by some of the best masters at The Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies and to be able to help my patients live life pain free. I urge patients daily to educate themselves about the importance of a properly-aligned bite and TMJ. This is because TMJ pain is real and TMJ relief is a choice—a potentially life altering choice that can only be made through awareness and understanding.

Dr. Solomon is a proud member of the ADA (American Dental Association), AAFE (American Academy of Facial Aesthetics), and LVI (Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies). He has been proudly serving his family of patients for the past 27 years.

He has 3 dental practices located in Westlake, West Hills and West Los Angeles, He is a guest lecturer and speaker on Neuromuscular Dentistry topics and has appeared on several News Channels. He is the author of the layman’s guide to dentistry book: Dream Big…Smile Big. He can be reached at 855.327.2923.

N E U R O M U S C U L A R D E N T I S T R Y