Convenient Locations in McLean & Arlington
Are you suffering from chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, or difficulty chewing? These symptoms may be caused by jaw misalignment issues, such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, Dr. Chong Lee, a clinical instructor at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and a Fellow of the International Academy of Facial Esthetics, specializes in neuromuscular dentistry. With his advanced expertise and commitment to cutting-edge dental services, Dr. Lee and his team provide patients in McLean and Arlington, VA, with proven, personalized solutions to find lasting relief from TMJ/TMD-related discomfort.
What Is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialized approach focusing on the entire system responsible for essential oral functions such as speaking, chewing, and swallowing. These activities rely on the coordination of teeth, jaw joints, facial muscles, tendons, and nerves. Rather than just treating the teeth, neuromuscular dentistry evaluates how these components work together, aiming to restore balance to the oral structure as a whole.
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we use advanced diagnostic tools to analyze the alignment and function of your jaw and bite. By identifying the optimal position for your jaw, we can create personalized treatment plans that address the root causes of TMJ/TMD symptoms like pain, headaches, and jaw discomfort. This holistic approach helps alleviate current issues and prevents further damage to the teeth and surrounding tissues. Through neuromuscular dentistry, we help our patients achieve long-term relief, improved function, and overall oral health.
What Are The Benefits Of Neuromuscular Dentistry?
From the perspective that several structures are involved in the functional movements of the mouth, we can identify many benefits of neuromuscular dentistry. The accuracy of diagnosis and treatment leads to optimal patient outcomes, especially for patients who have struggled with the misdiagnosis of unexplained migraine headaches or other symptoms. In addition to alleviating uncomfortable symptoms, a neuromuscular dentist applies specific principles that ensure patients' restorative and cosmetic dental work lasts as long as possible.
What Problems Can Neuromuscular Dentistry Fix?
The muscles and joints of the jaw are some of the most frequently used structures in the body. We move our jaw thousands of times a day, whenever we speak or eat, brush our teeth, sing, yawn, smile. Even at rest, the parts of the jaw are performing some form of supportive work. The consistent strain on the jaw can have a detrimental effect on overall health.
Signs and Symptoms of Jaw Misalignments
Jaw misalignments can cause a variety of painful and frustrating symptoms, many of which can be difficult to diagnose without a thorough evaluation. Here are some common signs that you may be suffering from a jaw misalignment or TMJ/TMD:
- Jaw pain or tenderness: Pain in the jaw, especially when chewing or speaking, can be a sign of misalignment.
- Clicking or popping sounds: If you notice a clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth, it could be related to TMJ dysfunction.
- Frequent headaches or migraines: Misaligned jaws can put extra strain on your facial muscles, leading to chronic headaches or migraines.
- Difficulty chewing or biting: Patients with jaw misalignments often experience discomfort or difficulty chewing, affecting their ability to enjoy food.
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain: Misalignment in your jaw can create a ripple effect, leading to discomfort in other areas of your body, such as your neck, shoulders, or back.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to seek treatment to prevent the condition from progressing.
How Can A Neuromuscular Dentist Help Me?
Neuromuscular dentists often help patients who have struggled for months or years with chronic pain. This could be jaw pain or headaches of some sort. For example, when medical treatment for migraines or headaches fails, neuromuscular dentists often find that the pain stems from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Patients receive benefits from their neuromuscular dentist through state-of-the-art technologies that pinpoint the source of painful symptoms.
When an accurate diagnosis can be made, a suitable treatment plan can follow. Neuromuscular dentistry treatments do not aim to alleviate symptoms; they are conducted to address the root cause of those symptoms. Diagnosis is reached via a series of teeth, bite, jaw, neck, and head exams. The jaw position is evaluated to determine if treatment is needed to align oral structures.
Every situation is unique. Neuromuscular dentists realize that each patient needs treatment options that address the varying factors involved in their particular condition. In most cases, the objective is to restore bite alignment. However, how this is achieved can vary. Some patients may find balance through specific stretches and rest. Some may require custom orthotics.
Patients who fit with an orthotic are often able to stop clenching and grinding their teeth. The dentist may also recommend fillings, crowns, other fixtures, medications, exercises, or other modalities to alleviate inflammation and malocclusion. In all cases, care is based on a foundation of conservativeness. Surgery is only discussed in severe cases or when noninvasive therapies fail to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Is Neuromuscular Dentistry Important?
Neuromuscular dentists provide a comprehensive menu of services. Whether examining the overall health of teeth or preparing for restorative or cosmetic dental work, the neuromuscular dentist uses a wide perspective. This area of dentistry can help patients with TMD, facial pain, and bite misalignment. However, it is not limited to those situations. Every person needs a well-balanced bite to speak, eat, and look the way they want. Any changes to the teeth, no matter how small, affect the overall function of the mouth. Neuromuscular dentistry principles are implemented in our practice to preserve the harmony of the bigger oral system, including the joints and muscles of the jaw.
Why Choose Dr. Chong Lee For Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Dr. Chong Lee is a highly skilled and experienced neuromuscular dentist who delivers exceptional patient care. A Medical College of Virginia graduate, Dr. Lee's focus on optimal care and patient satisfaction has led him to specialize in physiologic-based dentistry, which emphasizes a balanced bite for successful restorative and cosmetic procedures, including full mouth reconstruction.
Dr. Lee pursued advanced training at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), a world-renowned aesthetic and physiologic-based dentistry center. He now serves as a clinical instructor at LVI, sharing his expertise with fellow dentists worldwide. Dr. Lee is also the founder of the LVI Study Club in Washington, DC, and a past President of the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics (IACA/IAPA).
As a recipient of the Las Vegas Institute Mastership (LVIM), Dr. Lee is among a select group of dentists recognized for their mastery of physiologic dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Facial Esthetics and the International Association of Physiologic Aesthetic Dentistry (IAPA). With Dr. Lee, patients receive expert care backed by years of training and a passion for delivering outstanding results in neuromuscular dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Neuromuscular dentistry may help certain types of sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), by repositioning the jaw to open the airway. By correcting jaw alignment and using custom oral appliances designed to keep the airway unobstructed during sleep, patients can experience better breathing, reduced snoring, and improved sleep quality. However, severe sleep apnea may require a multidisciplinary approach involving a sleep specialist.
Yes, positively in many cases. When the jaw is repositioned into its optimal alignment, it can result in a more balanced and symmetrical facial appearance. Patients may notice changes in jawline definition, reduced facial tension, and an overall more relaxed and youthful look, especially if their previous bite imbalance caused a collapsed or strained facial profile.
Yes. Jaw alignment can influence head, neck, and shoulder posture. When the jaw is misaligned, it can create muscle tension that affects the spinal alignment and upper body posture. Neuromuscular dentistry aims to correct the underlying jaw position, which may help rebalance the musculoskeletal system and lead to better posture.
Treatment time depends on the complexity of the case. Some patients experience improvement in just a few weeks, especially when using an orthotic device. Full treatment plans that include orthotics, orthodontics, or restorative work can take several months to over a year. The diagnostic phase alone often requires several visits to complete.
It depends. Some aspects of treatment, such as bite adjustments or restorative work, may be permanent. However, neuromuscular dentistry often requires ongoing monitoring, especially if orthotic devices are used. Patients may need to transition into permanent dental restorations or orthodontic treatment for lasting results.
Many patients report relief from pain or tension within days of starting TENS therapy or using a neuromuscular orthotic. However, full results often take time as the muscles adapt to the new jaw position and comprehensive treatment progresses. Individual experiences vary.
Patients can expect a period of adaptation, especially when wearing an orthotic or transitioning to a corrected bite. Some may experience mild soreness as their muscles adjust, while others may find significant relief early on. Follow-up visits are crucial for fine-tuning the jaw position, ensuring comfort, and monitoring progress.
Corrective jaw surgery is considered when non-surgical methods cannot fully address severe skeletal misalignment, congenital jaw deformities, or dysfunction that significantly impacts breathing, chewing, or speech. Surgery may be necessary when the bones themselves need repositioning to achieve proper function and balance.
Yes, in most neuromuscular dental cases, surgery is considered only after conservative treatments—like orthotics, TENS therapy, orthodontics, or restorative work—have not provided adequate relief or functional correction. The goal is to exhaust non-invasive approaches first unless surgery is indicated from the outset due to anatomical abnormalities.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder or chronic face or head pain, contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics. Dr. Lee and Dr. Oh are prominent neuromuscular dentists with extensive training in diagnosing and treating this condition. Call 703-448-1020 to schedule your consultation at our McLean or Arlington, VA office.