Relieving Headaches
and Neck Pain
Serving Santa Rosa and San Francisco, California
("TMJ"-like symptoms)
Over 40 million Americans suffer from Myofacial Pain Dysfunction (MPD), a condition that causes headaches and muscular pain. Dr. Klim uses advanced neuromuscular techniques to eliminate painful tension in the head, neck, and shoulder muscles.
The exciting thing about aesthetic neuromuscular dentistry is that it involves more than teeth. It is the full encasement of happy face muscles, smooth facial lines, relaxed countenance and a radiant smile that says, "I am having a great face day!"
An important component of smile design is to make certain that the mechanical system is working well. How the lower jaw moves makes an incredible difference on how a person's muscles feel, how the teeth wear, and the shape and appearance of the face. As you can see in the before and after repose and profile examples (Lisa, Michael, and Beverly), there are major enhancements to the facial features. In these particular cases, the teeth get their day in the spotlight. However, it is Dr. Klim's purpose to round out the presentation by paying close attention to the position of the upper lip, the contour of the lower face, and to create conditions conducive to happy muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders. When the muscles responsible for moving the lower jaw are in optimal condition, there is a corresponding impact on the openness of the eyes, the distinctive cheekbone line angles, and the length of the lower face. After corrective treatment, you will notice that the face appears to be more relaxed, giving the person a more peaceful countenance.
Many suffer from Myofacial Pain Dysfunction (MPD) and are not sure of the nature of their condition and how to solve it. You may have heard other terms that describe this condition such as TMJ or TMD. This is short for Temporomandibular Joints. Craniomandibular Dysfunction (CMD) or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) are another terms dentist use.
Estimates show that this disorder afflicts over forty million Americans. If you are one of them, you will relate to several of the following conditions:
The neural muscular approach is ADA and FDA approved. This technology is scientific and is validated as an aid in diagnosing head, bite, and neck disorders. |
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Numbness of fingers and arms
- Difficulty swallowing
- Limited movement of the jaw
- Locking of the jaw
- Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joint
- Pain behind the eyes
- Neck, shoulder or back pain
- Unexplained loosening of teeth
- Earaches, stuffiness or ringing
- Pain or soreness in and around the jaw joints
Underlying conditions relating to "TMJ" like symptoms are biochemical, emotional and structural. If we were to compare headaches to an overflowing dam, the reservoir is filled with run-off from rain, hail, sleet, and snow. When too many of these factors are present, there is an overflow resulting in a flood below the dam. Similarly, contributing factors may overflow the threshold to culminate in a head, neck and joint.
Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) and Electromyograph (EMG). These instruments have been used for years in medical specialties and is now being used in dentistry to measure muscle dysfunction of the jaw, which is the major culprit in over than 90% of patients reporting headache profiles. |
There is most always an underlying structural problem with the jaw in MPD. This leads to over-activation of the jaw, head and neck muscles. And, in time, will lead to tension, spasms, and pain. To correct MPD, the jaw must be brought back into a muscularly balanced position.
As described above, multiple symptoms make MPD difficult to diagnose. This is why an accurate diagnosis is important prior to expediting a solution.
A major component of diagnosis in our office is Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS), Electromyograph (EMG), and Sonograph. These instruments have been used for years in medical specialties and are now being used in dentistry to measure muscle dysfunction of the jaw, which is the major culprit in the majority of patients reporting headache profiles.
If you have further questions, or think you may have symptoms related to MPD, TMJ, or TMD, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Klim.
