Physiologic dentistry is the art and science of using the relaxed position of the muscles of the head and neck to place the jaw into an optimal physiologic position. Thirty years of research and clinical experience have shown this technique to be effective in treating patients with various levels of head and neck pain. It is also used in finding the optimal jaw position before restorative dentistry and greatly increases the longevity of restorations and natural dentition.

Transitional physiologic appliances, an orthotic, is fabricated to stabilize a comfortable bite until a permanent solution is made. In many cases, this can act as a permanent solution, but most of the time reconstructive dentistry is performed to get a permanent, beautiful and comfortable, healthy solution with the help of ceramic veneers and crowns. This can all be achieved in a relatively short time within 2-6 months.

Physiologic Dentistry has a whole body approach, which includes the head, neck, back, muscles and body posture. It brings health and function together.

Biteguard

Chronic jaw clenching and grinding one’s teeth is called bruxism. While it can happen any time of day, it often occurs at night causing an individual to wake up with any number of symptoms including jaw pain, headaches, and sore teeth that may feel loose. Although, stress and anxiety are the most common causes of bruxism there may be other contributing factors such as a sleep disorder, an abnormal bite, as well as teeth that are missing or poorly aligned. To alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, wearing a bite guard while sleeping is frequently recommended. This appliance is designed to fit over the teeth and to keep the jaws slightly apart. Wearing a bite guard prevents a number of damaging events including muscle strain, excessive pressure on the jaw joint (the TMJ), and such dental damage as chipped or cracked teeth resulting from the teeth grinding against each other.

Orthotic

Neuromuscular Therapy is based on establishing a balance between the muscles of the head and neck, the temporomandibular joints, and the teeth… This bite is the key to the first phase of therapy. Most patients wear an orthotic appliance made to the neuromuscular bite position. Removeable or fixed orthotic appliances can be made. They are worn for 3-6 months to establish a new physiologic bite before restoring the teeth to a comfortable and pain free bite. A physiologic dentist can help determine which appliance is best.

Dr. Chandra is called upon to treat the most difficult restorative and challenging cosmetic dental cases. Sometimes these cases involve multiple procedures to address complex dental problems that are affecting an individual’s entire occlusion. The term “full mouth reconstruction” is applied to these situations.

The process of full mouth reconstruction often involves rebuilding and/or replacing many, if not all of the teeth in the mouth, and can require the coordinated approach of a number of dental specialists. Candidates for full mouth reconstruction are individuals who have been cosmetically and functionally debilitated by extensive tooth loss, dental trauma, dental decay, dental habits, TMJ jaw-joint disorders, grinding their teeth, have suffered the effects of long-term acid erosion of tooth structure, or been affected by medical conditions or therapies involving the head and neck area. Additionally, individuals with congenital disorders that have dental manifestations like missing teeth or defective tooth structure may also be candidates for full mouth reconstruction.

It is important to have a healthy bite, or the way the top teeth fit with the bottom teeth harmoniously. A bite equilibrator, otherwise known as the T-Scan®, dentistry’s only clinically recognized and research validated digital occlusion analysis system. It points out pressure point on an uneven bite. T-Scan® provides dynamic occlusal measurement—revealing the level and timing of force on individual teeth and the occlusal stability of the overall bite. With T-Scan®, Dr. Chandra can visualize and treat destructive forces before they become a problem, yielding better patient outcomes. T-Scan® helps Dr. Chandra educate patients. It also aids with diagnosis and planning a good healthy bite. This reduces the events of painful, unnecessary teeth breakages or repeated visits to the Dentist.

The BioPak is a complete technological system that records the function of the mandible (lower jaw) and muscles of mastication(chewing). It measures muscle activity, strength/weakness, and TMJ head and neck pain.

The information obtained by the system helps diagnose and treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), TMJ problems, sleep disorders and craniofacial pain. It can be used for restorative, orthodontic, denture, implant and occlusal reconstruction patient evaluation. Dr. Chandra uses this biometric technology and data to make decisions and measure results for healthier, pain free outcomes for her patients, for a harmonious, healthy bite.

We use low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) to relax the muscles of the head and neck and determine a muscularly-oriented jaw-to-skull relationship. TENS is also used to relieve pain caused by spasm and tension by releasing endorphins, the body's own natural pain killers. We also use TENS to close the jaw in combination with jaw tracking to find a position that is compatible with the relaxed muscles.

Neuromuscular Massage By Design, Patricial Sutton, LMT, NMT, MA0022645 352-694-4503 www.massageocala.com