Neuromuscular Dentist in Toledo, OH

A neuromuscular dentist is a dental professional who has undergone special education and training in how the teeth, jaw, and muscles work together. The goal of neuromuscular dentistry is to find and correct problems with the way the teeth fit together. This can help to improve the overall function of the teeth, jaw, and muscles. In some cases, it can also help to alleviate pain in the face, neck, and shoulders.
 
A neuromuscular dentist corrects the alignment of the teeth and jaws to improve the function and appearance of the smile. These dentists are also concerned with preventing and treating TMJ disorders, or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, the two joints that connect the mandible (jawbone) to the skull and enable it with its sliding-hinge action.
 
The goal of neuromuscular dentistry is to create a balance between the teeth, muscles, and joints so that the patient can bite and chew comfortably and efficiently.

Neuromuscular disorders affect how the nerves control the muscles in the body, which can impact their function and form. This includes conditions such as:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT disease)
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Myasthenia gravis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Muscular atrophy (MA)
• Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis)
 
In the field of dentistry, the most common neuromuscular disorder is TMJ disorder, which is dysfunction of the jaw joint that can cause pinched nerves, muscle spasms and radiculopathy (radiating pain, such as pain that starts in the jaw and shoots down the neck and back).

The symptoms of neuromuscular disability vary depending on which area/muscle group is affected, along with a host of other factors, such as severity, chronicity and methods of treatment. In general, neuromuscular conditions cause the following symptoms:

• Weakness in the muscles
• Wastage of the muscles (atrophy)
• Cramps in the muscles
• Stiffness (spasticity) in the muscles
• Pain in the muscles
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Issues with balance and movement
• Trouble with vision

In dental neuromuscular symptoms are similar, often manifesting as jaw, neck or shoulder pain, headaches/migraines, lockjaw (inability to open or close jaw), and muscle spasms.

Neuromuscular disorders result in muscle weakness and fatigue that gradually worsen over time. Some symptoms of neuromuscular disorders begin in infancy, while others may appear in childhood or even late adulthood. Symptoms will depend on the type of neuromuscular disorder and the areas of the body that are affected, but most often include muscle weakness that can lead to twitching, cramps, aches and pains; loss of muscle tone/mass; movement and balance issues; numbness, tingling or painful sensations; droopy eyelids; double vision; trouble swallowing; and trouble breathing.
 
You may have a dental neuromuscular disorder if you have radiating jaw pain, a cracking or popping sound when opening or closing your mouth, or a misaligned bite.
 
If this sounds like you, schedule an appointment with the neuromuscular dentist at Great Smiles Family Dentistry. Call us today to book an appointment with our neuromuscular dentist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 4646 Nantuckett Drive, Toledo, OH 43623. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Toledo OH, Oregon OH, Ottawa Hills OH, Perrysburg OH, Woodhurst OH, Sylvania OH, and Shoreland OH.