Smile Services - Page 2

Neuromuscular Dentistry

Thirty years of research and clinical experience have shown that Neuromuscular dentistry is effective in treating patients with various levels of head and neck pain. The underlying conditions that cause these signs and symptoms are structural, biochemical and emotional. Underlying structural problems are most always present and lead to over activation of the jaw, head, and neck muscles. Over a period of time, these problems can lead to pain, tension, and spasms.

Neuromuscular dentistry differs from "traditional" dentistry as it places the emphasis upon the activity of the muscles that move the jaw. Neuromuscular dentistry recognizes that the muscles that move the jaw must be in a comfortable, relaxed position so they are not in conflict with the teeth and joint.

We use a number of sophisticated instruments to find the position of the jaw that allows the jaws, teeth, and muscles to operate in harmony. The first goal is to find the position of the jaw where the muscles are relaxed and at rest. We use a device called a Myo-Monitor to relax the muscles. It is a low frequency T.E.N.S. (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation) unit. This device delivers a mild electrical impulse to the muscles that move the jaw. The rhythmic pulsing (once every 1.5 seconds) relaxes the muscles. In addition to relaxing the muscles, it sets up ideal muscle function by increasing blood flow. We often find that after 45 minutes of stimulation, the muscles are in their ideal position. Once we have verified the comfortable position of the lower jaw, we can fabricate an orthotic that allows the jaw to close to this ideal position. In this position, the muscles are at an ideal length and will not go into spasm. Muscles will heal, pain trigger points will go away, and joint capsules will heal. The orthotic is used for three months to stabilize the bite and insure that all symptoms are gone. At this point, a decision is made to wear the orthotic indefinitely, have orthodontics done to move the teeth, have one or two arches of teeth restored, or to adjust the bite to this ideal position.

Neuromuscular dentistry is also used in finding the optimal jaw position before restorative dentistry and greatly increases the longevity of restorations and natural tooth structure.

Bridges

A Bridge is a custom device anchored to neighboring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth. When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing one are prepared as crowns to serve as abutments to hold the prosthetic (replacement) tooth in place. Crowns and bridges are most commonly prepared from high quality materials such as semiprecious or precious metals, porcelain, or a fused combination of the two. Aesthetics, function, and tissue compatibility are considered when selecting the most suitable material.

Crowns

Replacing old-fashioned crowns with beautiful all-porcelain crowns can take years off your smile and give you a more youthful appearance. Older restorations were fabricated using a metal lining covered with porcelain and do not let light pass through as a natural tooth does. There is often a dark or gray line next to the gum-line that appears as decay. All porcelain crowns eliminate the black metal lines seen around the gum line and look more natural.

We provide exclusively all porcelain-bonded and metal-free restorations. With our restorations you will notice the appearance of natural teeth again. Metal-free dentistry can restore your smile back to its natural form and beauty.

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Bryan G. Judd DDS - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry, neuromuscular dentistry and tmj dentistry to the areas of Roseville and Sacramento, California.

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