Most migraines, cluster headaches, tension-type headaches as well as sinus pain and facial pain are controlled by the trigeminal nerve and the trigeminovascular system. The medications used to treat migraines act on neurotransmitters in the brain and at neural synapses. The basic premise of Neuromuscular Dentistry is that nociceptive (pain) impulses into the central nervous system cause both pain and central sensitization. Neuromuscular dentistry corrects this aberrant message by correcting how the trigeminally innervated muscles function.
TMJ or TMD is a collection of conditions also known as temporomandibular disorders that can cause headaches, migraines, sinus pain, ear aches, eye pain, dizziness and numerous other symptoms. A Sleep and Healh Journal article is an excellent resource for all headache and TMD patients. The article "SUFFER NO MORE: DEALING WITH THE GREAT IMPOSTER" is available at http://www.sleepandhealth.com/
Dr Ira L Shapira has been practicing Neuromuscular Dentistry for 30 years and recently was asked to write an article on Neuromuscular Dentistry for the American Equilibration Society (AES). The article has been republished by Sleep and Health Journal and can be read in entirety at http://www.sleepandhealth.com/
Headache sufferer's who are tired of watching their lives slip by while they deal with chronic pain will find valuable information that may drastically improve their quality of life at http://www.ihateheadaches.org. Patients in the midwest or who are able to travel to the Chicago area are welcome to visit Dr Shapira at his Gurnee office for Neuromuscular Dental Treatment. Dr Shapira and his Partner have a genral dental practice in Gurnee, Il that concentrates on treatment of migraines, TMD, Chronic daily headaches and the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Information about Neuromuscular Dentistry is also available at Dr Shapir's website http://www.delanydentalcare.com/
Dr Amidei and Dr Shapira utilize the physiologic principles of neuromuscular dentistry in reconstructive and implant dentistry. Full mouth reconstruction "should only be done by dentists who understand the physiology of the neuromuscular system and the intracies of the Temporomandibular joint" according to Dr Shapira. "Neuromuscular Dentistry is the art and science of blending physiology with dental services to create healthy and biologically stable systems that allow improved quality of life.
Holistic Dentistry means many different things to dentists and patients. To Dr Shapira the term Holistic Dentistry means the restoration of optimal health to the biological systems of the body. While many holistic dentists look primarily at the dental materials used Dr Shapira considers the idealization of the neuromuscular system to be pre-eminent . The trigeminal nerve accounts for approximately half of neural input into the brain and controls the vascular flow to the anterior 2/3 of the meninges of the brain. When nociceptive inpulses flood the brain thru the trigeminal nervous system in can cause central sesitization of the brain due to a process called neuroplasticity. This is thought to be responsible for disorders like Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Migraines, Tension-Type headaches, Chronic daily headaches and Cluster headaches.
Migraines are frequently accompanied by neck pain. Neck pain associated with migraine is more common than nauseau associated with migraine. Chiropractic treatment of headaches is frequently useful but when there are underlying neuromuscular dental issues these adjustments often do not hold. Dr Shapira works with numerous chiropracters and osteopaths and feels that Atlas/Orthoganal and NUCCA chiropractic are particularly valuable when used in connection with neuromuscular dental techniques.
Treatment with Neuromuscular Dentistry usually begins with a diagnostic orthotic. The orthotic is used to temporarily correct trigeminal nervous system fuction by creating a healthy physiologic occlusion. The diagnostic orthotic is used to refine the bite during healing. Permanent changes to the bite are usually a second phase of treatment only used after patients experience significant improvment in symptoms.
Dr Shapira is a Fellow of ICCMO the organization founded by Dr Barney Jankeson the father of Neuromuscular Dentistry. He is also a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr Shapira has been treating snoring and sleep apnea with comfortable oral appliances for 30 years. Most patients prefer oral appliances to treatment with CPAP. The website http://www.ihatecpap.com is dedicated to promoting Dental Sleep Medicine and to helping patients who do not tolerate CPAP
To contact Dr Shapira office for an appointment call 1-800-TM-Joint or 1-8-NO-PAP-MASK or 847-623-5530. Dr Shapira has recently opened Chicagoland Dental Sleep Medicine Associates with offices in Skokie, Schaumburg and Bannockburn in addition to his Gurnee office.
