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Dr.
Quandt has been attending many continuing education programs
at the world famous Las Vegas Institute this past year.
During his time there he has become proficient in the emerging
field of neuromuscular dentistry. Neuromuscular dentistry
differs from "traditional" dentistry in that
the emphasis is placed the activity of the muscles that
move the jaw. Neuromuscular dentistry gives us another
tool with which to treat a multitude of problems that you
might have when teeth, jaws and muscles are in conflict
such as:
headaches, loose teeth, jaw pain, cracked teeth or fillings,
clenching, grinding, clicking and popping in joints, shoulder,
neck, and back pain, numbness in arms and fingers, sensitivity
in teeth, crowded teeth, receding gums, and many others.
We utilize a number of sophisticated instruments in our
practice of neuromuscular dentistry to find the position
of the jaw
where the jaws, teeth, and muscles operate in harmony. The
first is the tens unit. It relaxes your muscles so we can
then track how the jaw moves with our K7 computerized tracker.
Based
on this data we then adjust your bite. This allows us to
not only treat your symptoms, but actually help cure the
problem.
Please call us today and find out how neuromuscular dentistry
can change your life.
K7 Evaluation System - The Next Plateau in Cosmetic Dentistry
 Traditional reconstructive dentistry is based on mechanical concepts that
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 reconstructive 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, we can measure and study the pattern 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 present jaw position as being the best one
for you, We 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.
How are Neuromuscular Tests Done?
The tests are "non-invasive" - there are no injections, there is no pain. To
do a Computerized Mandibular Scan (CMS), a tiny magnet is applied to your
lower gum with sticky tape. You then wear 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 and send the
three-dimensional information to the computer as your jaw opens and closes.
 Muscle activity is monitored with Surface Electromyography (SEMG), 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.
On some occasion, we may want to also study the sounds of your jaw joints.
If so, it is done with Electrosonography (ESG). You wear a "Walkman" type
headset to hold microphone-like sensors over each jaw joint. The sensors
detect the joint sound vibrations as you open and close your mouth and
transmit the sound data to the computer.
Typically we will first want to do the CMS, SEMG and/or ESG tests
to get your baseline data (record data in your present
state). Then you may be connected to the Myomonitor, a
mild, battery operated electrical muscle stimulator, again by means
of wires attached with adhesive patches. This instrument is used by
many physical therapists and chiropractors to relax muscles.
The Myomonitor will painlessly exercise your facial and jaw muscles. This
electrically induced exercise will overcome the "programming" of your
muscles and allow them to achieve a truly relaxed state. After 40-60
minutes, the same tests will be repeated to gather data in this relaxed
state. The baseline and relaxed data are stored in the computer.
Getting the Bite Right - TMJ Treatments
Now that your muscles are relaxed, we will confirm and record the relaxed
position of your jaw by placing a fast setting putty-like material between
your teeth. He can now compare your usual occlusion (bite) with the relaxed
jaw position to evaluate if your jaw is presently in a near optimal position
and determine whether the occlusion should be adjusted.
Is Neuromuscular Dentistry for You?
 There are always options for you to choose from when deciding on dental
treatment. After initially evaluating your situation, we 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), orthodontics, or dentures, or if you suffer head/neck
pain or other "TMJ"-like symptoms, your choice of treatment becomes more
important.
Traditional, "two dimensional" dental techniques may produce satisfactory
results since the human system has considerable ability to accommodate.
However, it is in these major cases that establishing the correct occlusion
becomes so important. This is when choosing neuromuscular diagnostic
techniques might have a positive and long term impact on the outcome of the
treatment. Neuromuscular test results give us added insight - that "third
dimension" - that very well may allow him to speed completion and improve
the final treatment results.
Is it for you? You should discuss this with us.
The K7 - Objective Data for Better Occlusal Analysis
During the last decade, clinicians have gained a greater appreciation of the
complex relationship between teeth, temporomandibular joints and the muscles
of mastication.
Science and clinical experience make it clear that these dynamic factors
play a controlling role in the outcome of all dental procedures. However,
the necessary technology to objectively measure these inter-relationships in
everyday practice has either been cost prohibitive or entirely lacking,
until now.
The new K7 Evaluation System from Myotronics-Noromed is affordable,
comprehensive, and successful. The K7 pioneers the next plateau in
dentistry. Now you can improve your treatment accuracy and expand your
practice through the use of advanced computerized patient evaluation.
The data provided by the K7 often is the missing piece that allows the
clinician to fit together the occlusal puzzle. In this way, the full picture
of the patient's need becomes clearer, contributing additional information
so the doctor's diagnosis and treatment can be confidently implemented.
With Full Color Jaw Tracking, EMG, and Joint Sound Evaluation Integrated
Into a Single Computerized System.
It is important to understand why modern day occlusal evaluation recognizes
the need to measure occlusal phenomena.
For optimal diagnosis and therapy, the clinician must be able to measure
physiologic phenomena that indicate the state of occlusal function and its
effect on both masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints.
Since teeth are designed for masticatory efficiency and occlusal stability,
proper bracing of the mandible provides for forceful muscle acts such as
swallowing. So, a malpositioned occlusion will place abnormal stress on
masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joints.
The key in all of this is correct evaluation of these occlusal factors in a
way that gives the clinician scientific, objective data upon which to base
the diagnosis and treatment plan and, to monitor and document treatment
results.
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