The Neuromuscular Diagnostics Process

“If it can be measure and repeated, it is scientific,” said neuromuscular pioneer Dr. Robert Jankelson. “If it can’t, it is an opinion.”

Forging ahead with treatment from a dentist without completely understanding your overall neuromuscular situation would be like determining whether you have heart disease after only checking your blood pressure. More often than not, the dental technology that we use eliminates unnecessary procedures as we get to the heart of your discomfort and oral health problems.

To begin our neuromuscular approach to patient care, our Exam Coordinator will help you relax during a comfortable, illuminating discovery process. This is a time when we set our sights on helping you realize your dream of living pain-free and forge the foundation for a lasting, beautiful new smile.

Diagnostic Tools

Here are five tools that Dr. Forbes uses to ensure that he is providing patients with a comprehensive care plan:

3D Jaw Tracking – This biomedical instrument provides a multidimensional assessment of lower jaw function. It measures the movement of the jaw far more accurately than the eye alone. This makes it possible to document lower jaw motion, which is considered an excellent way of evaluating overall jaw function. This tool also can identify the amount of free space, the swallowing pattern, and the quality of the occlusion, or bite position. It substantiates the presence of disc problems and provides good ideas on how to reduce them. It is used to differentiate between the factors that cause the opening and closing of the lower jaw to change from the normal position to an abnormal position or vice versa. It is used in conjunction with EMG recordings.

Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) – We use vibration to measure the quality and function of the temporomandibular joint in relation to other normal jaw sounds. This vibration analysis can help determine if the health and condition of the jaw joints are a significant contributing factor to toothaches or facial pain. The process involves using a pair of ultra-sensitive pads held in place by a lightweight headset over the jaw joints. The vibrations of the joints are analyzed by a computer for intensity and frequency. This valuable supportive information is used in conjunction with other clinical diagnostic therapies to confirm conditions of joint dysfunction.

Electromyography (EMG) – This is a series of tests to more specifically illustrate and define stressed muscles. These tests are necessary to diagnose the difference between intra-capsular interference (meniscal or otherwise) and extra-capsular interference (influence of the surrounding hypertonic muscular matrix) to determine the worst problem area. Defining the cause of the TMJ patient’s overall neuromuscular dysfunction will help the patient avoid receiving the wrong pain treatment.

Transcutaneous Electro Neural Stimulation (TENS) – This is a specific therapy for the treatment and resolution of pain related to the nervous system and facial muscle conditions. The process involves the placement of electrodes on both sides of the area in front of the right and left ears, just beside the coronoid notch. These electrodes deliver mild, painless electric pulses to the nerves that control face and mouth muscles. The rhythmic pulsing relaxes the muscles and allows us to determine the correct relation of the lower jaw to the base of the skull. It also relieves pain.

Patient Summary – Using this technology, you should expect to see the pain, frustration, and anguish of your dental and neuromuscular problem in a whole new light. This technology can help guide us toward a conservative treatment strategy.