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California doctor and DDS, Dr. Fallah, treats TMJ and TMD patients from all over the country and Mexico including Carlsbad, La Costa, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Coronado, Fairbanks Ranch, Del Mar, Los Angeles, all of Southern California and out of state patients from Florida, Arizona, Ohio and more in his Dental Clinic with state-of-the-art TMJ and TMD help techniques and equipment.
TMJ and TENS
Drug-Free Treatment
Pain of the head and neck is commonly a component of TMD or TMJ. Very often the pain is at least partially related to muscle spasm.
Pain Relief
Muscles in spasm suffer from poor circulation and build up of
metabolic waste products. This condition produces pain. The gentle, repetitive stimulation of the
muscles in spasm at an ultra-low-frequency provided by the Myo-monitor, causes gradual relaxation of the
muscle, restoration of normal blood flow and the washing away of waste products responsible for pain.
Pain relief usually occurs after 10 - 15 minutes of 'pulsing' as the muscles begin to relax. The pain relief
continues after treatment since the muscle stays relaxed for some period of time. Pain relief is believed to be further
prolonged as the low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) produces the body's own opiates - endorphins. In addition to pain relief
resulting from better circulation in the muscles, endorphins may produce a relatively prolonged analgesic after-affect
for 2 - 6 hours. This is a very effective means of drug-free pain relief for patients with chrisonic pain of muscle origin.
Muscle Relaxation
TENS is also used in dentistry to establish an occlusion based on 'happy muscles' - or muscles that
are physiologically at rest.
The muscles of the nead and neck often 'accommodate' and are essentially 'programmed' into incorrect positions that
allow an imperfect occlusion to function.
TENS is used to promote muscle relaxation which is required for:
- Accurate occlusal registration
- TMD diagnosis and treatment
- Effective restorative procedures
- Muscle circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Precise occlusion adjustment
Physiologic rest of the jaw occurs when the muscle fibers are normally near a passive resting length fulfilling the laws of muscle physiology and posture.
The known physiologic muscle laws are the basis to the neuromuscular approach in establishing an accurate bite registration.
A relaxed state of musculature and
'natural' occlusion can be achieved in a reasonable period of time through ultra-low frequency TENS stimulations.
The three basic steps involved in treating TMJ with neuromuscular dentistry are:
- Relieve muscle pain and spasms: Muscle pain associated with TMJ is treated through the use of Myotronics devices.
- Stabilize the patient bite: Dental orthotics may be used to create a harmonious bite which allows the teeth, joints of the jaw, and head/jaw muscles to work together without undue strain.
- Long-term management: With the bite stabilized, long-term treatment may be needed in order to maintain the corrected bite. Methods used include orthotics, reconstructive dentistry using dental crowns, reshaping tooth enamel to maintain bite, and orthodontics.
Dr. Fallah's TMJ Background
Dr. Fallah has expanded his training in neuromuscular dentistry by attending the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). As an LVI dentist, Dr. Fallah is aware of the importance of treating the muscles of the jaw in providing complete dental care. Through neuromuscular dentistry, our California, LVI-trained dentist can relieve TMD symptoms by causing the jaw muscles to be in a relaxed, comfortable position. Dr. Fallah's training also includes an International college of CranioMandibular Orthopedics Fellowship, LVI Training and certification in Practical Occlusion, TMD - Development Diagnosis& Treatment, Mastering Mandibular & Myocentric Positioning as well as advanced courses in Chirodontics Cranial Techniques and Chirodontics Dental Techniques.
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Doctor of Dental Surgery Fellow of International College of CranioMandibular Orthopedics Holistic Dentist 1200 Garden View Rd., Suite 108 Encinitas, CA 92024 Phone: (760) 942-0800 |
International College of CranioMandibular Orthopedics Fellowship