Neuromuscular treatment is at the apex of modern dentistry, giving qualified dentists the tools to relieve pain that for years has been misunderstood and often misdiagnosed. For example, the source of Myofascial Pain Disorder (MPD) was so elusive that many patients were told to seek psychological counseling. Thanks to advances in neuromuscular dentistry, MPD and other complex dental problems can be successfully diagnosed and treated today.

Neuromuscular dentistry is the art and science of using the relaxed position of head and neck muscles to place the jaw in its optimal position. Thirty years of research and clinical trials have shown this technique to be very effective in treating head and neck pain. Using this procedure before performing restorative dentistry increases the lifetime of veneers and crowns, and protects your natural teeth.

Dr. Ziv has extensive training is this advanced field of dentistry. With the use of bio-electronic instruments, he measures the dynamics of a jaw opening and closing in three dimensions, and gauges the activity of key muscles that control the jaw. This procedure reveals whether the jaw is in or near its optimal position, and whether the occlusion (how your teeth come together) should be adjusted to relieve your pain.

"Every week I meet, consult with and treat individuals who have been referred to me by local ear, nose and throat physicians, plastic surgeons, neurologists, endodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, chiropractors, and grateful patients whom I have helped. While I am an accredited cosmetic dentist who improves or recreates smiles, many of these referrals are directed to me in order that I may diagnose and treat painful head and neck disorders that may be caused by an occlusion or "bite" that is no longer in proper alignment. Allergies, clenching, aging and/or wear and tear can all contribute to a "poor bite".

Generally one cannot self-assess one's own jaw alignment. Many of the patients we consult with do not initially believe that their symptoms could possibly be related to the way their teeth come together. It is very difficult for them to understand how sinus pain, temporal pain, pain behind the eyes or at the top or back of the head could be caused by dental condition. But it is true. By non-surgically guiding the jaws into a relaxed and correct bite or occlusion, most of the chronic pain that patients have, including migraines, is relieved.

Neuromuscular therapies have helped patients who, for years, had been frustrated with ineffective medical or chiropractic treatments for say, chronic daily migraines. Years of unsuccessful treatments, drugs and surgeries can often cost patients tens of thousands of dollars and lead them to believe that there is no further relief available to them. I am successful in helping these people eliminate their migraine, vertigo, or other head and neck conditions without surgery, and eradicate their dependence on pain medications.

Jaw misalignments can also cause chronic ringing in the ears, stuffy or tender ears, and inner ear problems like vertigo, dizziness and nausea or a feeling of motion sickness.

Facial Rejuvenation Through Cosmetic Dentistry

When one observes oneself over a period of decades, it is virtually impossible to detect the wearing down of the teeth. It is like trying to follow the hands of a clock. But, like a clock, in time things do change, and often the change is significant. Teeth that wear down over decades can contribute to a subtle but significant breakdown in the entire facial form and structure - producing an aged appearance. Shortening of the lower third of the face and a shift from an ovoid face to a squarer look is a common result of a worn or "over closed" bite. Jowls, deep creases around the mouth, or a chin that seems to be changing over time are common conditions caused by worn out teeth. And, of course, worn teeth tend to get chipped, darker, and shorter over time.

Luckily with modern neuromuscular and cosmetic dental techniques, it is now possible to reverse the effects of time and restore one's teeth to their original condition. And with that restoration, often comes a return to the former, youthful shape. Such a restoration can change a person's life and attitude, and certainly improve the quality of our survival as we live longer.