|
At time, for various reasons, the structural balance that our neurologic system works to keep in balance falls out of sync. For people with TMJ the anatomical structures we are primarily concerned with are the neck, temporo-mandibular join (TMJ) and dental occlusion. So, if one of these structures falls out of sync, the neurologic response may put the other two in a much more stressful posture in order to compensate. This can lead to severe inflammation, pain and degradation. In order to restore harmony, the practicing TMJD dentist must diagnose how the dental occlusion is affecting the functional harmony of the TMJ and neck. Then make changes in to put all three structural areas into balance with each other. It encompasses the use of computerized mandibular scans (CMS), fixed surface electromyography (FEMG) and ultra-low frequency trans-electrical neural stimulation (ULF-TENS). The FEMG tells us the tonicity or tightness of the muscle, the ULF-TENS relaxers the muscle and the CMS gives us a functional 3-dimensional position of the mandible in real time. This enables us to determine where the imbalances are, relax the muscles responsible for it and then mark the mandibular position on the computer. The patient is now guided into a bite registration while the mandible is in this balanced state and in sync with the other structures. An orthotic bite plate is constructed and placed on the patient's lower teeth. Now each time the teeth are put together the dental occlusion, TMJ's and neck are in balance thus relieving pain and dysfunction. |
|
George F. Bork, DMD |
|
|
General Dentistry |
908-537-4248 |
