Neuromuscular Dentistry
Dr. Khullar and his team provide comprehensive dental care in their office in North Little Rock. Everything from all basic dental care to Implants, TMJ therapy, and Full Mouth Reconstruction are performed all under one roof. In order to achieve optimum results for their TMJ pain therapy and Full Mouth Reconstruction patients Dr. Khullar uses advanced techniques in Neuromuscular Dentistry.
What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?
Neuromuscular Dentistry is the science of dentistry that embodies accepted scientific principles of patho-physiology, anatomy, form and function. NMD objectively evaluates the complex relationship between teeth, temporomandibular joints and the masticatory muscles in order to achieve an occlusion (bite) that is based on the optimal relationship between the mandible and the skull — Neuromuscular Occlusion. The goal of the Neuromuscular Dentist is to relax the muscles controlling jaw position to establish a true physiological rest position upon which treatment considerations are based.
In summary, NMD is the science of occlusion encompassing not only the teeth, but the objective evaluation of the status and function of the jaw muscles and joints — before, during and after treatment — to achieve the optimal result.
Why is Neuromuscular Dentistry Important?
Occlusion is the foundation of dentistry. It is of key importance in the success of every major dental procedure. Occlusion is affected by a triad of factors — the teeth, the muscles and the temporomandibular joints. Traditional dentistry has focused on the teeth — what might be called "one-dimensional" dentistry. Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) is a term that has been applied to the additional consideration of the "second & third dimensions" — muscles and TM joints.
Dr. Khullar says that taking muscle and joint status into consideration aids him in optimizing treatment and gives him the added insight needed to treat complex cases. There is a significant body of literature published over the past 35 years that supports the efficacy of neuromuscular dental principles. Dr. Khullar uses advanced neuromuscular equipment in his office on a daily basis to help treat patients with headaches and TMJ pain.
“Most pain comes from muscles and using our K-7 and J-5 neuromuscular equipment we relax the muscles of the head and neck and then test them by evaluating the surface electromyograms (EMGs) of each muscle group. Using this data along with our jaw tracking technology we are able to put patient’s in the optimal bite position. This bite position is critical in helping us achieve lower EMGs, which alleviates pain caused by muscles and also helps take pressure off the teeth. This is critical, because it helps prevent porcelain crowns from fracturing. Once the optimal bite position is determined we make what is called an occlusal orthotic which fits over the lower teeth. The patient can wear this for as long as they like or if they prefer we can then move the teeth into this position with orthodontics or full mouth reconstruction, depending on the patient’s current condition. Throughout this process my team and I are very conscious of cosmetics and we strive to achieve extraordinary cosmetic results.”
Dr. Denesh K. Khullar
*Dr. Khullar has completed over 600 hours of advanced continuing education, much of that from the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, the Misch International Implant Institute, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Khullar is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a Fellow of the World Clinical Laser Institute, and a Sustaining Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also a Member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, and Arkansas State Dental Association