Neuromuscular Dentistry
New York area

Traditional dentistry works on our teeth and gums. A neuromuscular dentist does this too, but also works on the nerves and muscles connected to our teeth. These nerves and muscles are also connected to other parts of our head, face, and neck. So pain in one place can be transmitted to a wider area because another branch of the same nerve is involved.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome

Also called temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

TMD is a condition that causes much pain and it relates to your bite, the positioning of your jaw, and the muscles that move your jaw. It can be caused by grinding and clenching your teeth over a long enough time period, or by an injury, or by a defective bite.

When your muscles move the jaw inappropriately, many symptoms can result, such as:

• Headaches, often migraines
• Clenching or grinding of your teeth
• Pain, clicking and popping in joints
• Shoulder, neck, and back pain
• Pain and sensitivity in your teeth
• Numbness in your arms and fingers
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Facial pain
• Ringing or congestion in the ears
• Loose teeth
• Receding gums
• Crowded teeth
• Chipped, cracked or worn teeth or fillings

Sonography

A sonograph is a diagnostic tool
used by neuromuscular dentists. It’s a device you can wear, rather like headphones, which records the sounds made by your jaw when it moves. These sounds can be measured as to quality, quantity and location, and with this information we can evaluate any joint damage that’s happened.

After treatment, sonography can again be used, and in this way we can measure the difference in your jaw sounds before and after treatment.

If you have TMJ

Our first goal will be to find the position of the jaw where your muscles are relaxed. To do that we first use a Myo-Monitor. This is a device that sends mild electrical impulses to the muscles, which relaxes them.

When muscles are relaxed, blood flow in the area can increase, which in turn increases the flushing out of toxins.

After about 45 minutes of muscle treatment, your jaw will be truly relaxed, and at that point we can use our diagnostic equipment to record its position. Our computerized scanning unit creates a 3-D diagram, from which we can make a model of your teeth and jaws in their relaxed position.

Then we can make an orthotic

An orthotic is a device that provides support for weakened or ineffective joints or muscles. For instance, some people wear orthotics in their shoes, to help keep their feet at the best angle as they walk.

This dental orthotic is worn for about 3 months, and it will allow your jaw to close to its relaxed position, rather than to its old habitual tense position. In the relaxed position, the jaw muscles are at an ideal length and will heal without any further spasms. The joint capsules will heal and pain will recede. All of this stabilizes your bite.

After the 3 months are up, you can decide whether to continue wearing an orthotic (a more durable, permanent one), or to have some work done on your teeth, such as:

• Orthodontic treatment
• Replacement of missing teeth
• Crowns and / or veneers on your teeth

These treatments will help optimize your bite.

Dr Low provides all guests with equal, exceptional care, and she offers conscious sedation for the overly anxious.

She is an LVI Preferred Dentist, and a member of The Academy of General Dentistry, The American Orthodontic Association and DOCs -The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.

If you’re suffering from recurring headaches, popping sounds in the jaw, facial pain, or difficulty with swallowing, in New York, please call or e-mail us today to schedule your initial consultation.

(212) 752-1430
Contact Us

Sandra M. Low, DMD
Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry & TMD
133 E. 58th Street, Suite 904
New York, NY 10022
Fax - (212) 752-1469