TMJ/Neuromuscular Dentistry
Bellevue and Seattle, Washington
Neuromuscular dentistry is a dental philosophy that is concerned with treating issues that affect the alignment of your jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). By determining the optimal resting position of your jaw, neuromuscular dentistry can help alleviate a variety of functional issues associated with malocclusion.
The Bellevue neuromuscular dentists at Cooleysmiles inspect your TMJ for irregularities every time you come in for an examination in order to detect signs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
The Function of Your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The purpose of your TMJ is to allow your mouth to move both up and down and side to side. When it is properly aligned, your teeth meet in their optimal bite position, allowing for routine functions such as chewing and speaking to occur properly and without discomfort.
Normal TMJ function is essential not only for chewing and speaking, but for overall comfort in your jaw. When your TMJ is misaligned, you may experience headaches, extreme pain in the jaw, and ear or sinus infections. Bellevue neuromuscular dentists Dr. Aaron Cooley and Dr. Brandon Cooley can identify and treat these alignment issues so that you do not experience additional health concerns associated with TMD.
Neuromuscular Dentistry Treatments
At Cooleysmiles, we offer the following treatments for TMJ disorders:
- Mouthguards crafted using a special machine that tracks the movements of your jaw. These custom created mouthguards work to realign your jaw while you sleep, and over time, they can permanently realign your jaw to its most optimal position.
- Full mouth restoration is an option for some patients. Using neuromuscular dentistry techniques, Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon can reshape your teeth and jaw in a manner that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally sound. Full mouth restoration may be best suited for patients whose TMD cannot be treated with traditional mouthguards, or who have cosmetic concerns in addition to alignment issues.
Our neuromuscular dentists are concerned not only with the beauty, but also with the overall function of your smile. Dr. Aaron and Dr. Brandon have extensive experience in helping our patients reduce pain, regain strength, and perfect their smiles. They will work closely with you to determine the treatment plan that is most ideally suited to your unique, individual needs.
If you live in Seattle or Bellevue, Washington and are experiencing discomfort in your TMJ, please contact the neuromuscular dentists at Cooleysmiles today to schedule an initial examination.