What Is Neuromuscular Dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized branch of care provided by our East Cobb County office that goes beyond treating just the teeth. It focuses on the connection between your bite, jaw joints (TMJ), and muscles. When these are misaligned, you may experience:

  • Chronic headaches or migraines
  • Jaw pain, popping, or locking
  • Neck, shoulder, or facial pain
  • Tooth wear, chipping, or sensitivity
  • Difficulty chewing or speaking

Through advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment, we help patients find the most comfortable, natural position for their jaw.

Advanced Diagnostics for TMJ & Bite Problems

We use technology such as:

  • Computerized jaw tracking to measure how your jaw moves
  • Electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle activity
  • TENS therapy (gentle electrical stimulation) to relax tight jaw muscles

These tools allow us to identify the ideal resting position for your jaw and design treatment that addresses the root cause of pain.

Treatment Options in Neuromuscular Dentistry

Once we’ve determined the correct jaw position, treatment may include:

  • Oral appliances (splints/nightguards): Worn temporarily to support the jaw and relieve strain
  • Bite adjustments (equilibration): Reshaping or restoring teeth to create balance
  • Orthodontics: Aligning teeth when necessary for long-term stability

The goal is always to reduce muscle stress, restore function, and provide long-term comfort.

Restorative Dentistry and Neuromuscular Care

When you need crowns, bridges, dentures, or a full mouth reconstruction with dental implants, your bite must be healthy and balanced for those restorations to succeed. That’s where our highly-trained dentist makes a difference.

By identifying your jaw’s optimal position and correcting misalignment, we ensure that restorative dentistry provides long-lasting comfort and durability. Restorations placed on a stable, properly aligned bite are less likely to break, wear down, or cause discomfort.

This means:

  • Crowns and bridges fit naturally and protect teeth without creating new bite problems
  • Dentures and implant restorations feel more comfortable and function more like natural teeth
  • Full mouth reconstruction can rebuild your smile on a foundation that supports your muscles and joints

If you’ve experienced failed dental work in the past, neuromuscular dentistry may be the missing piece that helps your restorative treatment succeed.

Why Patients Choose Our Dental Office

Patients often turn to neuromuscular dentistry after other treatments have failed. By addressing the root cause—not just the symptoms—we help improve quality of life for those struggling with TMJ pain, chronic headaches, or bite-related problems.

We combine compassionate care with advanced technology to deliver solutions that last.

FAQs

While general dentistry focuses mainly on teeth and gums, neuromuscular dentistry looks at the bigger picture—how the teeth, muscles, and jaw joints function together.

Yes. By correcting jaw misalignment and relieving strain, dentistry often provides relief for TMJ pain, headaches, and jaw dysfunction.

Yes, in some cases. Oral appliances designed with neuromuscular principles can improve comfort and effectiveness for patients undergoing dental sleep medicine.

Take Control of Your Health & Comfort

If you’ve been searching for lasting relief from TMJ disorder, headaches, or jaw pain, neuromuscular dentistry in Atlanta could be your answer. Call us today at (770) 578-1331 or request your appointment online.