At Suite Dental, we treat more than just your smile, delivering comprehensive care to help you have the best possible oral health and facial harmony. Dr. Roderick Spencer trained at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI Global), a prestigious international institution that teaches comprehensive diagnosis and contemporary techniques. The LVI Global promotes patient health through a physiologic approach to dentistry, treating oral and facial systems with equal consideration. We invite you to learn how a healthy bite and functioning jaw muscles can improve your smile and your life.
Neuromuscular/physiological dentistry focuses on the relationship between the teeth, facial muscles, and jawbones, looking beyond the teeth and gums to see the whole picture. The condition of the jaw and bite can affect the rest of the body. Your mouth’s resting bite should be a relaxed position that is free of tension, and the range of motion for your jaw should be comfortable to the entire physiologic function. If this is not the case, you may experience jaw pain, headaches, facial tightness or tension, reduced range of motion in the jaw, and increased risk of dental problems such as tooth decay and injury. Compression in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) or vertebrae can affect blood supply and lymphatic drainage and result in chronic discomfort.
Our dentist and team work with patients to treat their discomfort through muscle relaxation and bite adjustment. We evaluate the relationship between the bite, TMJ, and surrounding muscles and take a comprehensive treatment approach to address both the immediate symptoms and the underlying cause. If you would like to learn more about neuromuscular/physiological dentistry in Bozeman, Montana, please feel free to contact our office at 406-602-4100 and schedule a consultation.
TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is found in the temporomandibular joints, which are the joints that hinge your jaw. If you experience any issues with these joints, please call Suite Dental at 406-602-4100 and schedule an appointment regarding TMJ treatment in Bozeman, Montana. Dr. Roderick Spencer fosters a variety of TMJ treatments, including BOTOX® and splints. For more information, please contact our office and speak to a member of our dental team.
TMJ disorder can have a variety of causes, including injury, malocclusion, and teeth grinding. TMJ disorder also has many symptoms throughout the craniofacial area. Because it covers such a wide array of causes and symptoms, finding an appropriate treatment can be a sensitive process.
If you are experiencing possible symptoms of TMJ disorder, Dr. Spencer may perform a functional analysis of your jaw. This in-depth examination evaluates your bite and the interaction of your upper and lower jaws. It also analyzes your facial muscles and helps identify any undue strain or conflict within the TMJ system. Dr. Spencer may also take digital X-rays to evaluate the overall structure of your skull and jaw.
This exam will give our team the necessary information to make an informed treatment recommendation tailored to your unique situation. Your treatment options may include:
- BOTOX
- TMJ splints
- Orthodontics
BOTOX
You might not know it, but BOTOX has a variety of applications beyond beautification. BOTOX acts as a muscle relaxant, interrupting nerve signals telling muscles to contract. By applying BOTOX to your TMJ muscles, Dr. Spencer can help relieve strain caused by clenching. BOTOX may also prevent tension headaches caused by TMJ disorder.
TMJ Splints
A common treatment for TMJ therapy is a bite (occlusal) splint. These custom-made devices are typically worn during sleep, and help keep the jaw in its ideal position. They prevent teeth grinding and clenching, both common causes of TMJ pain.
Orthodontics
If your TMJ disorder is caused by a poor bite alignment, or malocclusion, Dr. Spencer may recommend orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics can gradually guide your teeth to a more ideal position, improving the function of your bite and possibly reducing strain. If we determine orthodontics is needed, we work with exceptional local orthodontists to achieve the results your smile needs.
If you experience intense regular headaches or jaw pain, we invite you to contact our experienced dental team to explore your TMJ treatment options today.
