1111 University Blvd, West G-4
Silver Spring, MD 20902
301.649.5001
fax: 301.681.8132
2850 North Ridge Road,
Suite 201
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410.461.6655
fax: 410.461.6672
Traditional dentistry is based on mechanical concepts which assume that your present bite (occlusion) is best for you. Such dental treatment generally aims to restore your bite to that position - what might be called two-dimensional dentistry. Neuromuscular Dentistry takes into consideration a third dimension - the status and function of the muscles that control jaw position, chewing and swallowing.
Using computerized equipment, Dr. Lee, a specially trained neuromuscular dentist, can measure and study the patterns of jaw opening and closing through its full range of motion and in three dimensions. The computer can also document the precise point at which your jaw is being held in relation to the upper teeth and can measure the activity of the key muscles that control the jaw - both in function and at rest. Rather than relying on your current jaw position as being the best one for you, Dr. Lee can use the additional objective information to determine if your jaw position (bite) should be left as is or adjusted to a more optimal position.
The tests are ‘non-invasive’. There are no injections. There is no pain. A tiny magnet is applied to your lower gum tissue with sticky tape. You wear a very lightweight headgear much as you would wear a pair of glasses. Sensors on the headgear precisely follow the path of the magnet as you open and close your mouth. It then sends the three-dimensional information to the computer as your jaw opens and closes. Muscle activity is monitored with a technology very similar to an electrocardiogram. Thin wires are attached to the skin by adhesive patches. Tiny electrical signals emitted by your muscles are detected and sent to the computer.
Sometimes it will be necessary to study the sounds of your jaw joints. If so, you will wear a ‘walkman’-type headset to hold microphone-like sensors over each jaw joint. The sensors detect joint sound vibrations as you open and close your mouth and transmit the sound data to the computer.
Additionally, it may be necessary to utilize a mild, battery-operated electrical muscle stimulator to painlessly exercise your facial and jaw muscles. This electrically-induced exercise will overcome the ‘programming’ of you muscles and allow them to achieve a truly relaxed state.
All of the data is stored in the computer and Dr. Lee can compare them to determine if he thinks your jaw is presently in a near-optimal position or if your occlusion should be adjusted to provide improved function.
There are always options for you to choose from when deciding on dental treatment. After initial evaluation your situation, Dr. Lee will discuss those options with you. Sometimes the options may be as simple as choosing the type of restorative material to use in a filling or crown. Neuromuscular techniques would not be necessary for these relatively simple procedures.
If you are contemplating dental procedures such as reconstruction (including Cosmetic Dentistry), or if you suffer from TMJ-like symptoms, your choice of treatment becomes more important.
Traditional, “two-dimensional” dental techniques may produce satisfactory results. However, it is in these major cases, that establishing the correct occlusion becomes so important. This is when choosing a doctor skilled in neuromuscular diagnostic techniques might have a positive and long-term impact on the outcome of your treatment. Neuromuscular test results give Dr. Lee added insight-that “third-dimension” - which very well may allow him to speed completion and improve the final treatment results.