Dental Design SD Introduces New TMJ Treatment in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18, 2016 -- Local San Diego dentist Kathrina Agatep, DDS, LVIF of Dental Design SD continues to successfully utilize neuromuscular dentistry to treat patients struggling with the jaw pain and popping of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in Sorrento Valley. Dr. Agatep says that neuromuscular dentistry is a multi-dimensional TMJ treatment that restores proper alignment of the jaw bone to the skull by relaxing and reconditioning the jawbone’s supporting muscles. According to Dr. Agatep, only a small percentage of dentists in the United States have completed the intensive training required to provide neuromuscular dentistry for TMJ.

“Jaw pain cannot be isolated into just the teeth and jawbone, but traditional treatments for TMJ usually only focus on these areas,” said Dr. Agatep. “Healthy, relaxed muscles support the correct alignment of the skull and jawbone. When the muscles are properly conditioned, it’s easier to align the jaw into the correct bite position, which then resolves the TMJ. That is the radical difference of neuromuscular dentistry.”

Dr. Agatep said neuromuscular dentistry is a non-surgical, non-invasive dental technique that uses high-tech methods to relax and remove stress from the jaw muscles. In addition to a series of visits to her Sorrento Valley dentist office, Dr. Agatep may also recommend stress reduction methods, moist heat on the affected area and temporary use of a custom-fitted mouth guard and anti-inflammatory medications. She said this multi-faceted approach brings fast, long-term relief from TMJ.

Temporomandibular joint disorders may affect nearly 10 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Symptoms include pain and tenderness on one or both sides of the jaw, popping or clicking sounds when chewing food, difficulty eating and facial pain radiating from the jaw area. Some people with TMD even experience temporary lockjaw, making it difficult to open or close their mouths.

The poor jaw alignment that leads to TMJ disorder (TMD) can be caused by a number of things including jaw injury, stress, night-time teeth grinding, arthritis and other factors. Dr. Agatep says that the key to successful treatment is relieving these underlying problems as much as possible.

“The jaw joint is a very strong, but sensitive hinge joint that needs to slide smoothly to work properly,” said Dr. Agatep. “Neuromuscular dentistry gives me the tools to make that happen, and it’s been a real miracle for so many of my patients. The relief they feel is extraordinary.”  

Dental Design SD provides technologically-advanced family dentistry, functional and restorative dentistry, cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry. Dr. Agatep is one of only a few dentists in San Diego who provides neuromuscular dentistry TMJ treatment. She has been featured by CBS and the New York Times discussing dental care issues. Dental Design SD is located in Suite A at 9540 Waples Street, San Diego, CA 92121; their number is (858) 492-7870, and their website is http://dentaldesignsd.com.

Dental Design SD, (858) 492-7870

http://www.tmj.org/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/dxc-20209401