Computerized Mandibular Scanning with TENS
There has been a fair amount of exposure recently to neuromuscular dentistry (NM) and its application to treatment of headaches and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). NM dentistry has developed to the point that computer scans aid the clinician in the correct physiologic positioning of the mandible to the cranium, resulting in non-compressed jaw joints, calm, relaxed muscles; resolving joint pain and headaches.
The patient should be aware of two NM perspectives (or directions of emphasis) whose choice of technology can impact their treatment results; Electromyography (EMGs) and Computerized Mandibular Scanning (CMS). The NM perspective your dentist takes will disclose the level of training, understanding, philosophy and experience he/she utilizes for patient treatment.
Electromyography (EMG)
EMG is a recording of the activity of the masticatory muscles. Doctors may find it useful in the identification of muscle imbalances to assist in their diagnosis. While some may spend time in EMG analysis and interpretation it has been proven time and time again that it leads the clinician down the path of wonder and intrigue, in an attempt to understand the various EMG patterns and their relevance to diagnosis and treatment.
Because of such wide variations and muscle patterns, most clinicians who are familiar with the science of EMG recording will admit that it has left most dentists still wondering what to do about these various patterns and displays and how to best treat jaw joint problems.
Patient’s want relief, comfort and resolution to their muscle and bite problems. They in fact really don’t care if their muscles are physiologically hyper active or fatigued, or even if their condition can be objectively measured scientifically, documented and recorded using EMG technology. But rather they are often more interested in logical answers to their problem and resolution (or end point) in their treatment; to achieve a quality of comfort and function in their daily activities and lives, and so do practicing dentists.
Transcutaneous Electro Neural Stimulation (TENS)
TENS has been shown to be an excellent technology to relax muscles as well as assist the dentist in establishing a more physiologic maxillary to mandibular jaw relationship. TENS does need some assistance, by the trained clinician, to capture a more optimal mandibular to maxillary jaw relationship. TENS cannot do it alone.
Computerized Mandibular Scanning (CMS)
CMS (computerized mandibular scanning) is a key technology and is a valuable treatment tool combined with TENS to actually allow the clinician to see the mandibular to maxillary jaw positioning relationships on a monitor screen. For the first time the mandibular position can be determined to within tenths of millimeters in 3 dimensions. This has been an extremely significant technological development for the dentist allowing them to see for the first time how the TENS pulse stimulation can actually affect mandibular positioning.
Now having the ability to see jaw location and positioning via CMS is a huge break through and in fact gives a clear objective and measured direction, like GPS today. CMS takes all the guess work out of the neuromuscular dentistry mystique! We are now living in the days of technological advances that direct and find specific desired mandibular locations, positioning, as well as improving the quality and health of our dental patient’s joints and muscles.
TENS and CMS are clearly the technologies of choice, like GPS, that can be easily applied for patient treatment, yet very scientifically based.
