Bringing Comfort and Function Back to Your Bite
Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on finding the optimal relationship between the jaw, muscles, and nerves to relieve pain, improve function, and restore balance. A misaligned bite can lead to TMJ disorders, chronic headaches, muscle tension, and even worn-down teeth, affecting your daily comfort and overall well-being.
At Dr. Ueckert & Associates, we use advanced diagnostics and precision techniques to assess and correct bite alignment issues, helping patients experience relief from jaw discomfort, clicking and popping, facial pain, and other TMJ-related symptoms.
How Neuromuscular Dentistry Works
Many patients don’t realize that their bite and jaw alignment affect more than just their teeth. A misaligned jaw can place excessive strain on the surrounding muscles and nerves, leading to:
- TMJ pain and dysfunction – Clicking, popping, and discomfort in the jaw joint.
- Chronic headaches or migraines – Often caused by muscle tension from an imbalanced bite.
- Neck, shoulder, and facial pain – Linked to improper muscle function in the head and neck.
- Worn or damaged teeth – Uneven bite pressure can lead to premature enamel wear and tooth fractures.
Neuromuscular dentistry takes a whole-body approach, ensuring that your jaw position, muscles, and teeth are working in harmony.
The Neuromuscular Dentistry Process
Neuromuscular dentistry follows a three-step approach to diagnose, stabilize, and correct bite alignment issues.
1. Finding the Right Bite Position
- Jaw Tracking Technology – We use 3D jaw tracking and electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle activity and bite function
- Electrosonography – Listens to the jaw joint sounds to detect irregularities.
- TENS Therapy (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation) – Helps relax tense muscles and reset the bite position.
2. Stabilizing the Bite
- Muscle Reprogramming – The TENS unit is used to eliminate muscle memory, allowing the jaw to rest in its optimal position.
- Orthotic Appliance (Test Drive Period) – A custom orthotic is worn over the lower teeth to train the bite into its new alignment.
- Functional Testing – Patients eat, speak, and go about daily activities while adjusting to the new bite position.
3. Finalizing the Bite
- Once the bite is stabilized and symptoms improve, we create a long-term restorative plan.
- This may include porcelain crowns, reshaping certain teeth, or orthodontics to permanently correct the alignment.
Benefits of Neuromuscular Dentistry
- Relieves TMJ pain – Reduces tension, popping, and jaw discomfort.
- Eliminates chronic headaches & migraines – Reduces pressure on nerves and muscles.
- Improves bite function – Prevents uneven wear and damage to teeth.
- Enhances facial symmetry – Balances jaw alignment for a more natural look.
- Long-term results – Helps prevent future dental and muscular issues.
Why Choose Dr. Ueckert & Associates for Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Dr. Ueckert is one of the leading neuromuscular dentistry specialists in the country, using cutting-edge technology and a patient-focused approach to provide lasting relief. Our team ensures precise diagnosis, customized treatment plans, and careful follow-up care for the best possible results.
- State-of-the-art jaw tracking & muscle analysis.
- Customized orthotic therapy to correct bite misalignment.
- Comprehensive TMJ and bite treatment approach.
- Focus on both function and long-term comfort.
