Neuromuscular

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The basic principle behind neuromuscular dentistry is that proper muscle positioning and function is a foundation for all dentistry and medicine. The muscles that operate the jaw must be relaxed and comfortable in order not impede your teeth and joints.

In contrast to "traditional" dentistry, neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the activity of the muscles that move the jaw. While traditional dentistry teaches that the position that your teeth and jaw have acquired is optimum and should be used as a basis for all treatment, neuromuscular dentists seek to find that ideal teeth and jaw position first, then center all treatment thereafter on that optimum position.

What is the importance of optimum jaw positioning?  Neuromuscular dentists have found that focusing on the anatomical system of the head and neck can lead to ideal health and alleviation of pain throughout not only the mouth but the entire body.

Many conditions that people experience can develop or be aggravated by improper alignment of teeth and the muscles that control the jaw.  These include:

  • Grinding or clenching of teeth
  • Soreness in the neck, back or shoulders
  • Sensitive, painful or loose teeth
  • Receding gumlines
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Cracked, chipped or worn teeth 
  • Pain or clicking in the jaw
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms and fingers
  • Pain in the face or around the eyes  
  • Crowded teeth
  • Ringing in the ears

As many of these symptoms suggest, neuromuscular dentistry has become the primary treatment for TMJ conditions.

At The Las Vegas Institute, thousands of dental professionals from around the world have learned to use neuromuscular principles in cosmetic reconstruction instead of some of the outdated ideals of traditional dentistry.

At the office of Dr. Wagner, we attempt to start all treatment with the muscles of the face and jaw in a relaxed position.  Instead of treating just a single tooth at a time to solve a patient’s problems, we examine the entire anatomical system of the head and neck to treat the whole patient, alleviating pain throughout the mouth and body.