Neuromuscular Dentistry and TMJ
Cosmetic Dentistry serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Your dental procedures affect more than just the integrity and appearance of your teeth. The size, shape, placement, and function of your teeth are supported by a complex and finely tuned neuromuscular infrastructure that affects the way you feel and function in every aspect of your life.
The most important feature of your neuromuscular system, as far as dentistry is concerned, are your temporomandibular joints. The temporomandibular joints are the joints that connect your skull and lower jaw on each side. These joints are small, but they provide an astonishingly wide range of functions—moving your jaw not only up and down, but front to back and side to side as well.
The Temporomandibular Joint and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ / TMD)
Because the temporomandibular joint is so finely and precisely tuned, it is easy for it to become misaligned, a condition that's referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ / TMD. This condition can be annoying, painful, and even debilitating for many patients, depending on the type and severity of the misalignment.
Some of the more common symptoms of TMJ / TMD include:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding, usually during sleep
- Clicking or “popping” sensations in the jaw
- Soreness of the jaw and facial muscles
- Excessive wear of the teeth
- Misalignment and shifting of the teeth
- Headaches, neckaches, and migraines
- Tinnitus(ringing in the ear)
Patients who are suffering from these or other symptoms that may be associated with TMJ / TMD are encouraged to call or email us as soon as possible. The sooner TMJ / TMD is diagnosed and treated, the more quickly and effectively the condition can be halted and the symptoms reversed.
Neuromuscular Dentistry and LVI
Neuromuscular dentistry is a rapidly evolving and expanding field, so it is important to find a dentist with experience and training in the latest research and procedures available in neuromuscular dentistry practice.
The world-renowned postgraduate school and research facility for neuromuscular dentistry is the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Dr. George has attended LVI for training in a variety of topics including diagnosis and treatment of TMD, and other issues relating to the practice of neuromuscular dentistry. She has effectively integrated these advanced practices into every aspect of her dental practice, not only in her direct TMD diagnosis and treatments, but also in every aspect of her practice, from cosmetic procedures to dental reconstruction. She remains dedicated to ensuring that her patients maintain healthy, functional smiles, in every way possible.
To learn more about Dr. George and her neuromuscular dentistry experience and training, call or email our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offices today to schedule your personal consultation.
Read about the advanced technology Dr. George uses for diagnosis
Learn more by reading our TMJ/TMD FAQ
