If you can measure something, it is a fact; if not, it is an
opinion.
- US Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo
Subjective feelings and educated guesses when treating the mandible,
masticatory muscles of the head and neck, and the temporomandibular joints
will not produce cost effective results and treatment times.
- Dr. David Jones
In this day of technology and computerization, Dr. David Jones and his team use state of the art technology to find a correct and accurate jaw posture substantiated by objective measurable data of the muscles in function and at rest.
BEFORE
The "before" recording depicts a "PATHOLOGIC JAW POSITION" that is contributing to this patient's TMJ pain symptoms. The diagnostic test indicate the jaw should be 2.1 mm forward (physiologic path of closure). The dotted line indicates the ideal physiologic path of closure both frontally (green lines) and sagittally (blue lines).
AFTER
The same patient is now able to function at a natural unstrained position (the normal opening/closing path is equal to a physiologic opening and closing path). Notice the 2.1 mm discrepancy is no longer present in the "after" recording. The blue and green lines verify the jaw is properly aligned to a "neuromuscular" position. This patient is comfortable and free of myofacial pain.
Computerized diagnostics make it possible to accurately find a physiologic position that meets the parameters of each individual patient, not some old unjustified established norm.
If you are seeking "state of the art" care and treatment, [especially for those of you that find yourselves in the difficult to complex category (top 5-15%)] and are tired of educated guesses, trial and error treatment protocols then you owe it to yourself to see how:
- Computerized jaw tracking instrumentation - is used to record jaw movements, range of motion, path of closure, protrusive guidance, rest positions, habitual centric occlusion, and determine freeway space.
- Electromyography -is used to monitor the muscles in function.
- Sonography - records jaw joint sounds and helps detect abnormalities.
- Myo-monitor (low frequency TENS) - is used to relax the hyperactive facial muscles.
- Transcranials - are special x-rays of the jaw joints to evaluate the jaw joint condition and position.
Now you can see why it is paramount to find your neuromuscular jaw position before a final restorative/orthodontic phase is started to prevent muscular imbalances that would lead to instability of the teeth, supporting bone and compromised posture.
A comprehensive analysis and evaluation is highly recommended to assist the doctor in accurately diagnosing and developing a treatment plan that can best meet your needs for long term optimal dental health and comfort!