Neuromuscular dentistry (functional): what it is, tasks of stomatoneurology, treatment, video presentation

Dental treatment is a complex process and sometimes requires an extraordinary approach.

Often, the problem is not associated with one tooth, but with a whole range of reasons that affect the entire oral cavity as a whole. Neuromuscular dentistry deals with such issues.

What is neuromuscular dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry in Moscow and other large cities appeared a long time ago, but its demand is not very high, which is due to ignorance both on the part of patients and on the part of doctors.

Its second name is functional, it is based on the simultaneous complex therapy of the entire dentoalveolar system. To carry out such treatment, a thorough examination is required, including not only a visual examination of the dentist, but also instrumental methods. The latter help to "look" at the state of the teeth from the inside, to assess the location of the dentition, the condition of the gums, and so on.

Functional dentistry considers the jaw as a single interconnected system. She studies at the same time upper and lower jawas well as the surrounding tissues. At the same time, the mechanism of the system's operation is assessed and the doctor is trying to find failures that caused the curvature of the dentition or other problems with bite.

The goal of the treatment is to establish a harmonious interaction between muscles, joints and teeth, which is often disturbed by malocclusion. To do this, it is necessary to carefully investigate the causes of the problem, identify them and eliminate them, restoring the correct bite. What is it for? An incorrect ratio of parts of the dentition leads to dissonance in the work of individual muscles and ligaments. Some of them may not work at all, while others are subject to increased loads.

As a result, overstrain and spasm may occur, covering the muscles of the face, neck and even the cervicobrachial region. This is reflected in headaches, stiffness of movement, pinched joints and other phenomena.

As you know, an incorrect bite leads to dysfunction of the chewing apparatus, but most dentists treat only visible changes, without delving into their causes. As a result, relapses and further deterioration of the condition occur quite often. This does not happen in neuromuscular dentistry, since the problem is solved in a radical way. But only a highly qualified specialist can take on it, since it requires knowledge of modern techniques and the ability to handle the latest equipment.

The objectives of neuromuscular dentistry

The use of neuromuscular dentistry is aimed at solving the primary task - recovery harmonious interaction between all the components of the masticatory apparatus: joints, muscles, nerves, tooth rows.

When working with a patient, the doctor must solve several questions for himself:

• to determine the condition and influence of the bite on disorders in the functions of the masticatory muscles and joints;
• provide for measures to eliminate this violation;
• to assess how much the imbalance in the work of the muscles affected the condition of the dentition and other orthodontic elements;
• determine the design of the future prosthesis.

In addition to occlusion problems, neuromuscular dentistry helps:

• solve aesthetic problems of the dentition, restoring its correct position;
• normalize occlusionby relaxing the muscles of the face and neck;
• normalize functioning temporomandibular joint;
• get rid of snoring;
• eliminate headache and tinnitus;
• prevent impaired posture;
• improve the general health of the patient, including psychological.

Diagnostic features

Usually, x-rays are used to diagnose bite problems, which show the position of the teeth, as well as their relationship to the jaw.

Based on the images obtained, the doctor establishes braces and other fix systems.

The neurostomatologist uses a wider range of diagnostic tools:

• electromyography showing muscle tone;
• axiography, in which the position of the jaws relative to each other is assessed;
• electroneurostimulation of muscles, in which the muscles relax and take their original place, stopping to support the jaw in the wrong position, which becomes noticeable on other examinations;
• computer scan of the lower jaw during movement, showing the mechanism of bone movement and the work of the ligaments;
• TMJ tomography;
• sonography, in which noise is heard in the joint while it is working.

Such techniques allow us to consider the problem from several sides and assess the effect of muscles and ligaments on the position of the jaw and its work, as well as the effect of malocclusion on other systems organism.

Of course, the specialist does not neglect traditional techniques, such as visual examination of the patient or taking impressions from the dentition.

Treatment by methods of functional dentistry

Stomatoneurology in treatment uses a special tool - orthotic. It is a mouthguard worn over the lower teeth.

It is worn for several months, during which the position of the teeth and the condition of the muscles are normalized, they get used to the "correct" position, and the orthotic itself gradually changes.

To make the mouthguard, the physician initially uses neuromuscular stimulation to cause the muscles to relax and become in the correct position. In this state, impressions are made from the dentition using a special paste, which hardens over time. Then it is pulled out and put on a plaster base. The latter serves as the basis for the future orthotic.

Then the patient is put on a mouthguard, to which a fast-hardening mass is added, forcing the teeth to move in the desired direction. During the course of treatment, the amount and location of the mass changes.

The second important way to normalize the occlusion is the use of neurostimulation produced by a special TENS device. It generates a small electrical signal that is applied to a specific area using electrodes glued to the skin.

The action of the current irritates the nerve endings, preventing the transmission of the wrong signal and normalizing muscle function. In addition, blood circulation in the treated area improves, muscle tone increases. The procedure is recommended to be done within six months, two sessions a week.

Treatment results

The most important result of neuromuscular dentistry treatment is the correction of the occlusion and the restoration of the normal position of all parts of the chewing apparatus.

In addition, specialists succeed in:

• relieve neck and headache;
• facilitate the delivery of oxygen to the heart and brain;
• normalize the work of the temporomandibular joint;
• decrease gritting teeth and their compression;
• prevent the development of other pathologies resulting from an incorrect bite;
• restore posture.

At the same time, there are practically no relapses. The change in bite occurs forever, which means that the work of the muscles changes. Most of the patients later ask for caries elimination and so on, but not for joint pain.

Presentation on the topic of stomatoneurology with Julia Clouda:

Functional dentistry is a modern approach to bite treatment, based on the latest techniques and a comprehensive treatment of the problem. It is more complicated and time consuming, but the result obtained is several times more effective than traditional methods.