Long-Term Management

Long-Term Management

TMJ Beautiful Smile

The orthotic is a diagnostic tool not a permanent solution. It may be tempting to want to stay with the orthotic for an indefinite period since it helps alleviate painful symptoms in a very short time. After your bite is stabilized, your symptoms are dramatically reduced and your teeth, muscles, jaw, and temporomandibular joints are functioning in harmony, you must next arrive at a decision on how to proceed for long-term management and to stay pain free.

There are a variety of ways to correct your bite in a more permanent way. Some of the most common of these approaches are outlined below:

Coronoplasty/Equilibration

If you were not a “bruxer” and did not grind away the natural tooth structure of your teeth, you may be a candidate for coronoplasty. Coronoplasty is smoothing and reshaping the enamel of the teeth to correct your bite. It is a simple procedure that does not require anesthesia and can be used when the bite is only slightly misaligned and the teeth are in good condition (not ground down from grinding/bruxism)

Orthodontics

Orthodontics, (braces or Invisalign©), to move the teeth to this new ideal position. This option is typically chosen when there is limited restorative work in a patient’s mouth and the natural teeth are in excellent condition (not a bruxer). There will be a likelihood that you will need some Coronoplasty to adjust the bite to it’s optimal position.

Reconstruction

This option is the most comprehensive for function and aesthetics. This option allows us to restore all of the teeth in the appropriate Neuromuscular developed bite. This approach is mostly used when the patient has ground down their teeth so far that “height” will need to be added to the remaining teeth to bring their occlusion to it’s correct Neuromuscular position. The teeth are lengthened by the application of crowns and/or bridges to the remaining tooth structure. This permanently realigns the bite and provides the appropriate structural support for the jaw.

Reconstruction gives Dr. Morgan the opportunity to conduct a complete smile makeover where your jaw will be in its appropriate position and you will have a beautiful smile.

Stabilizing The Bite

Diagnosis and Treatment

Stabilizing the Bite

Orthotic Appliance

After recording and analyzing all of the diagnostic information compiled from the K7, you will return to the office for your first stage of treatment (3rd visit). Here is where we stabilize your bite in the correct Neuromuscular position.

For most patients, the first step is to stabilize the bite by creating a custom Orthotic appliance to be worn on the teeth so your teeth fit together in the correct Neuromuscular position. The orthotic is custom made for each individual patient, based on the statistical data derived from molds of the teeth and the tests recorded on the K7. When the jaws are aligned correctly, the surrounding muscles, jaw and joints can operate in harmony, relieving them of stress, strain and pain. Most patients feel relief within the first several weeks.

Wearing the orthotic trains or reprograms the muscles to go to their ideal position. Since the muscles have been tense for such a long period of time, it may take a little while for them to relax into a comfortable position. It usually takes about three months to stabilize the bite and  ensure that their symptoms are gone.

Once symptoms are relieved and the bite has been stabilized, Dr. Morgan will move on to the next step to permanently stabilize your bite to the correct position.

Consultation And Evaluation

 Consultation and Evaluation

During your consultation visit (1st visit), Dr. Morgan will meet with you to discuss your individual case including your symptoms and potential causes for your discomfort. She will also discuss the main objective ideas behind Neuromuscular Dentistry and how that treatment can potentially can help you. This visit usually takes one hour. Dr. Morgan will discuss your prior medical and symptom history as well as a head, neck, jaw and mouth examination. She will be able to determine if Neuromuscular dentistry is right for your symptoms, pain and problems.

After this visit you will return to the office for a Comprehensive Evaluation.

During your Comprehensive Evaluation (2nd visit), Dr. Morgan and her staff will conduct an extensive physical examination that includes manual testing of the head and neck muscles. She will explain to you why the different muscles and nerves of the face, head and neck can be symptomatic and related to Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders. This is a very relaxed and open discussion where you will have an opportunity to discuss all the questions that you have, as well as treatment goals. There will be extensive photography of your shoulders, neck and head, your teeth, mouth and face. We will take impressions of the teeth in your mouth to make study models of your teeth to aid in your diagnosis and treatment. We will be able to show you how your bite (occlusion) can be causing your symptoms and pain.