Neuromuscular Dentists
Treating TMJ and Jaw Problems
Relieving Pain
Serving patients in Glenview, Golf, Northbrook, Winnetka, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Wilmette, Northfield, Mt. Prospect, Deerfield, IllinoisAll dental work has the potential to change the structure and alignment of the teeth and jaw. Whether it's something as small as a filling or porcelain veneers, or something as large as a dental implant or porcelain crown, the changes to the structure can change the way your jaw aligns and functions.
When to Visit a Neuromuscular Dentist
What are TMD and TMJ?The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull is called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. This joint provides for a wide range of motion—not just up and down, but side to side and forward and back as well—and as such, it depends on very precise alignment to work properly.
When this joint becomes misaligned, due to poor dental work, natural degeneration, disease, or injury, it results in a painful and debilitating condition called temporomandibular disorder, or TMD Dysfunction.
Some of the symptoms of TMD include:
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- Facial soreness and pain
- Headaches and neckaches
- Locking and clicking of the jaw
- Uneven and excessive tooth wear and other damage
Also see our What are TMD and TMJ page for more information on the importance of neuromuscular dentistry.
Improper Jaw Alignment and the Effects on the Body
How is neuromuscular dentistry different?Neuromuscular dentistry differs from traditional dentistry in that neuromuscular dentists are trained in proper alignment of the jaw in relation to the muscles that control the function of the jaw, rather than by simply aligning the teeth. Many of our patients come to us suffering from long term and frequently serious effects of improper jaw alignment.
With two of our three dentists trained at LVI, the premiere post-graduate neuromuscular dentistry program, we at Colonial Dental Group take the practice of neuromuscular dentistry very seriously. Not only do we employ neuromuscular alignment techniques in all of our own dental work, but we can treat and reverse many cases of preexisting temporomandibular disorder (TMD) as well.
If you have any of the symptoms of TMD, or if you'd like the assurance of knowing that your dentist is well versed and experienced in neuromuscular dentistry, call or email our offices today to schedule your personal consultation with Colonial Dental Group.
Neuromuscular Dentistry and TMJ FAQs
1775 Glenview Rd.
Suite 107
Glenview, Illinois 60025-2969
