Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. This modality uses dental appliances or braces, which are very commonly known. Neuromuscular Orthodontics is a more progressive treatment than traditional braces. On top of aiming for the perfect smile, neuromuscular orthodontics goes beyond just teeth and jaw bone and includes the soft tissues, muscles, nerves and airway.
The way the upper teeth contact with the lower teeth is called bite or occlusion. If the bite is off-balance, the muscles will fight to stabilize the jaw. If a person’s bite is out of line with where the muscles naturally want to go, the muscles become strained and tired which in turn negatively affects the temporomandibular joints TMJ.
Establishing an occlusion based upon the most stable position of the jaw joints and the most relaxed posture of the masticatory muscles is a key component of neuromuscular dentistry. Basically, correction of misaligned teeth is done with a different approach, one that creates a functional harmony in your mouth. For each individual, we accurately measure the most comfortable position for the muscles, teeth, and jaws. This determines a position where the muscles of mastication are most comfortable for optimal function. This position serves as the end point to orthodontically move the teeth.
We use the advanced, computerized mandibular scanning K7 system as a guide in our Neuromuscular Orthodontics treatments. K7 utilizes electromyography and joint sonography to gently track the position of your jaw and surrounding muscles, determining the most comfortable, functional and optimal position for your bite. By using this technology, we gain complete understanding and the exact position of the jaw and therefore teeth, both in the present and in the future, after treatment. In contrast to conventional orthodontics wherein one the major shortcomings is ideal occlusion tends to get sacrificed for sake of esthetics, the advantage of neuromuscular orthodontics is that it allows our patients to achieve their most comfortable and ideal occlusion along with an esthetically pleasing teeth correction.
In neuromuscular orthodontics, the muscles of the upper and lower jaw are relaxed prior to the orthodontic appliances being placed. The body becomes less likely to resist the treatment, which translates to a greater level of comfort before, during, and after treatment. Moreover, there are less chances of having TMJ problems, and the orthodontic treatment results will last longer, because that tension in the joints, muscles, and bones won’t be fighting the new positioning and trying to put the teeth and bone back to their original position.
Benefits of opting for neuromuscular orthodontics include improved facial balance and structural symmetry along with improved airway and breathing. Children as well as adults can benefit from this latest treatment modality that does more than straighten teeth while least strain on joint and muscle health.
- From single tooth replacement to full arch replacement for any kind of patient is done here .