To have a proper bite, your upper
and lower teeth must come together correctly. However, some
conditions can cause a problem bite, such as teeth that are missing,
misaligned or worn down. If you have a problem bite, your jaw
muscles and joints must use extra force in order to bring the teeth
together.
A problem bite, together with
strained muscles and joints, can present you with a whole host of
problems. These include facial pain, ringing in the ears, neck and
shoulder pain, tingling fingertips, headaches, jaw pain, and popping and
clicking in the temporomandibular (TM) joints. A problem bite can
also damage crowns, veneers and other tooth restorations due to
excessive wear and unbalanced forces.
Dr. Max Ebrahimian and
Dr. Ariana Ebrahimian have made neuromuscular dentistry an
integral part of their practice in order to help patients overcome these
painful conditions and provide them with a healthy, harmonious bite
(occlusion). The neuromuscular dentist understands that the teeth,
joints, and muscles are part of an integrated system, and seeks to restore
that system to proper function and balance. If Dr. Max and Dr. Ariana
determine that a poor bite is causing your facial pain or other symptoms,
they will develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
Ebrahimian Aesthetic Dentistry offers a number of solutions
to help stabilize your bite and allow your jaw muscles and joints to remain
in their most comfortable, relaxed position. These include:
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Appliance therapy —
Custom-fabricated orthotics correct the relationship of upper
and lower jaws, allowing muscles and joints to function optimally. These
appliances can be either fixed or removable depending on your individual
needs.
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Bite Adjustments —
also known as “coronoplasty.” Establishing neuromuscular balance
may be as easy as equilibrating the natural surfaces of your teeth.
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Neuromuscular functional
orthodontics (NMFO®) — unlike traditional orthodontics, NMFO
straightens the teeth into a functional bite by incorporating the use of
a neuromuscular orthotic.
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Cosmetic and restorative
procedures — Replacing missing teeth, and placement of crowns
or veneers may be an option to provide you with a healthy, comfortable
and functional smile.
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Full Mouth Rehabilitation —
Once the neuromuscular bite is confirmed, Dr. Max and Dr. Ariana are
able to take you from problem bite to perfect bite in as few as two
visits with porcelain crowns and veneers.
-
Co-management of oral
surgery cases — If you require surgical correction, you’ll feel
confident knowing that Dr. Max and Dr. Ariana will refer you to some of
the best oral surgeons in the country. This team approach allows for
efficient care and optimum results.
All of these neuromuscular solutions
rely on the power of technology. Some of the instruments Dr. Max and
Dr. Ariana use to establish and verify a proper bite relationship are:
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K7 — A
sophisticated computer program capable of tracking jaw movements,
joint sounds, and function. It is able to find your ideal neuromuscular
bite with pinpoint accuracy.
-
TENS unit —
Ultra-low frequency Transcutaneous Electro-Neural Stimulation helps
relax the muscles so an accurate bite record can be taken.
-
Ionophoresis — A
safe approach to pain management utilizing transdermal medicament
application.