We use various techniques and technologies to diagnose and restore harmony between the teeth and jaw in order to improve function. This will also help to reduce the stress in your chewing system and reduce muscle and jaw pain. If the disharmony has been the cause of your clicking or popping jaws, treatment may also help with this.

Neuromuscular dentistry is a dental treatment philosophy intended to correct a “malalignment”of the jaw at the temporomandibular joint and produce a balanced bite. This is one of a number of techniques used at Kerrisdale dental centre in order to reconstruct worn and broken down mouths. The neuromuscular dentist uses several computerized instruments to measure your jaw movements and jaw muscle activity to determine the extent of your problem and to establish a “physiologic rest position” for the jaw. Here are some of the measurement techniques and procedures used:

• Joint vibration analysis – measures vibrations from the joint when you open and close your mouth to identify joint derangements.
• Electromyography (EMG) – involves placing surface electrodes over the jaw muscles that pick up electrical impulses and send them to the recording instrument. It is used to measure the activity in the muscles during various movements.
• Jaw Tracking (Electrognathograph, Kinesiography) – analyzes mandibular movements three dimensionally. A special headset is placed on the patient and a magnet is attached to the lower front teeth. Recording of the lower jaw movement is then made.
• TENS – ultra-low frequency electrical stimulation of the muscles to relieve muscle spasms and pain, relax the jaw muscles and help establish an optimum,” physiologic” jaw position.

Do you have a question we didn’t answer? Click Here to Contact Us.