How Does Neural Occlusion Screening Work?

Neural Occlusion screening involves the utilization of hi-tech objective technologies, knowledge, and protocols to ascertain whether or not a patient possesses a proper bite and stable and adapted TMJs, and/or if their problem(s) arise from other sources.

Measure

Categorize

Treatment

MEASURE

What We Measure

This device called a T-Scan reads the force and timing of your bite. Placing this into the patient’s mouth it is possible to objectively record and measure the bite.

Electromyography (EMG) is an electrodiagnostic medicine technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles in microvoltages. CNO uses the EMG.

Allows us to look inside your teeth. Sometimes your past dental work is responsible for your TMD issues, or at least a contributing layer.

Frictional Dental Hypersensitivity (FDH) can occur when the patients muscles are overworking due to a misaligned bite. The patient with a TMD issue solely due to overactive muscles from a bite issue will typically have hypersensitive teeth that shows up when they are challenged with the ice water swish. Once the bite alignment is corrected, the sensitivity will typically go away. There are neurological reasons for this that are not fully understood, which may relate to the overactivity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.

Magnetic Resonance imaging uses magnetic pulses rather than ionizing radiation to study cartilage, fluid, and fat content within both TMJ’s. An extremely useful tool, MRI often identifies problems that would go completely unnoticed otherwise.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses magnetic pulses rather than ionizing radiation to study cartilage, fluid, and fat content within both TMJs. An extremely useful tool, MRI often identifies problems that would go completely unnoticed otherwise.

Joint Vibration Analysis is a screening tool of the TMJ cartilage. JVA is based on simple principles of motion and friction: When smooth surfaces rub together, little friction is created…and little vibration. If these surfaces become rough, as would be the case when the TMJ cartilage is damaged relative to the bone in one or both joints, then the friction and vibration that is created when these surfaces articulate would show up as an aberration in the JVA readings.

CBCT scan, also called X-ray cone beam computed tomography, is a low-radiation way of studying the bony jaw bone and the skull, objectively elucidating spacing between these bones as well as growth and development issues. It is also very effective at identifying degenerative and arthritic changes that might be taking place within the TMJs as well.

Magnetic Resonance imaging uses magnetic pulses rather than ionizing radiation to study cartilage, fluid, and fat content within both TMJs. An extremely useful tool, MRI often identifies problems that would go completely unnoticed otherwise.

CATEGORIZE

CNO Patient Types

Stable Adapted Joints

Objectively Confirmed Healthy TMJs

No Organic Issues

Other MD’s, Neurologists, and Chiropractors Have Ruled Out Other Systemic Issues

The bite is off

Dental Work, Tipped Teeth or Braces Caused This TMD Problem

This case is very likely to respond to computer-directed bite alignment therapy
Very Treatable
High Percentage of Success

Relatively Stable & Adapted Joints

Alignment of the Bite Can Help

Damaged Cartilage

People Are Unaware, But It Is Common

Minor Bone Wear

Usually Due to Damaged Cartilage in the TMJ

There Is Hope
Usually At Least Partially Treatable with Computer-Directed Bite Alignment Therapy
Good Chance Of Partial Success

Unstable Maladapted Joints

Dead Bone

Acute Inflammation & Effusion

Help is at Hand
Bite Alignment Treatment Or Manipulation of Any Kind Should Not Be Attempted
May Need to be Referred for Workup by a TMJ Surgeon

ALIGNMENT

Digitally Directed “Alignment”

IF Indicated

Measured Anterior Guidance Development (MAGD) therapy is a bite/occlusal adjustment procedure used in patients that possess stable and adapted temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Objective confirmation of stable & adapted TMJs leads to predictable outcomes regarding all forms of dental treatment!

When back teeth contact/touch too long in TIME during function, research has shown repeatedly for decades that this neurologically overstimulates muscular contraction within the chewing complex. Many of these muscles, when overworked, become very fatigued and painful, resulting in unexplained headaches and tension within the head and neck. In a practical sense, muscles that overwork chronically can lead to not only broken teeth but failing dental work as well!

A precise and objective, digitally directed “alignment” of the way the teeth relate to one another over TIME, can reduce this overstimulation of the muscles (in patients with objectively confirmed TMJs), leading to not only a reduction in painful symptoms but in the likelihood that dental work will not fail over time as well!

Based upon three decades of evidence-based research by Dr. Robert Kerstein and others, computer-directed occlusal adjustments have repeatably been shown to improve many cases of TMD pain of occlusal genesis, specifically in cases which possess relatively orthopedically stable and adapted TMJs. In such cases, removing pathological excursive occlusal contacts based upon precise and digitally-identified contacts in the dynamic occlusion will often palliate chronic muscular TMD pain, and will often simultaneously allow the dental practitioner to improve the integrity of not only the dentition, but properly placed restorative treatments and orthodontic movements as well. Those doctors that have trained up to CNO level 3 (MCNO) are particularly adept at diagnosing and treating appropriate cases such as these.