Neuromuscular Dentistry vs. Traditional Dentistry
What is neuromuscular dentistry and how does it differ from traditional dentistry?
Traditional dentistry focuses mainly on the hard tissues of the mouth - teeth and bone. Neuromuscular dentistry addresses how your entire physical system relates to oral function. It accounts for hard tissue, soft tissue, muscles and nerves, and how they relate to body posture and physiologic range of motion.
A comprehensive, neuromuscular evaluation will allow Dr. Barton to accurately diagnose and develop a treatment plan that can best meet your needs for long-term optimal dental health and comfort!
Neuromuscular Technology
We believe it is important to keep up with the most up to date technological equipment and materials available. New technology helps us to provide dental procedures faster, with greater precision, less pain, and longer lasting results. This makes your visit more pleasurable for you and for us.
Here is a short list of some of the technological equipment we use in our Jacksonville Florida office to help us diagnose and treat our guests:
- Computerized Jaw Tracking Instrumentation: Used to record jaw movements, range of motion, path of closure, protrusive guidance, rest positions, habitual centric occlusion, and determine freeway space.
- Electromyography: Used to monitor the muscles in function.
- Sonography: Records jaw joint sounds and helps detect abnormalities.
- Myo-monitor (low frequency TENS): Used to relax hyperactive facial and jaw muscles.
- Tomography: Special radiographs to evaluate jaw joint condition and position.
Finding your ideal neuromuscular jaw position is paramount before final restoration begins. It prevents muscular imbalances that may otherwise lead to instability of teeth, bone, and body posture. Dr. Barton can restore an entire mouth to proper form and function by assessing occlusion (bite position), the muscles of the jaw, and the supporting hard and soft tissue structures of the temporomandibular joints.