I have written several articles talking about your oral health’s link to your overall systemic health. The link between periodontal disease (gum disease) and heart disease and stroke have been well documented. There are now alternatives to a CPAP for those who are unable to use one for sleep apnea that can be fabricated by your dentist to help with symptoms of sleep apnea and snoring.
One of the chronic medical problems plaguing our country is that of headaches. Yes, that is correct, headaches. I know that everybody gets headaches – it is believed that 90 percent of adults experience headaches. Of course, if you have teenagers, it must be 100 percent! Even if your teens are as wonderful as mine…headaches happen. More than 80 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches that affect their lives. Over 29 million Americans suffer from migraines that are due to trigger factors that excite brain cells and cause a reaction that results in varying levels of pain. Migraine sufferers as a group lose more than 157 million work and school days each year because of the pain.
It is estimated that 80 percent of those headaches are caused by dental force issues from dentomandibular-sensorimotor-dysfunction, which is quite the mouthful but simplified is an imbalance of the teeth, muscles and joints that are used in opening and closing of the mouth and chewing.
Many people who suffer from headache problems have spent significant time and money looking for a solution. They have visited multiple health care professionals and tried various medications and therapies without much relief. Now, a new diagnosis and treatment system has been introduced to dental offices called Trudenta. This leading edge technology allows professionals to quickly pinpoint the problem and quickly alleviate the pain.
The American Dental Association has stated that dentists are appropriately trained to diagnose and treat chronic headaches, migraines, and TMJ disorders due to their expertise in teeth, gingival tissues and oral cavity, but also caring for the muscles of the head, neck, and jaw as well as the nervous system in these areas.
The new technologies allow the dentist to screen patients using a digital bite force analyzer to measure the different dynamic forces in the mouth (muscles, joints, teeth) to pinpoint imbalances. This allows the dentist to determine the type of treatment or combination of therapies that might be needed. A computerized tool that measures the cervical range of motion can identify dysfunction or disability in the muscles of the head and neck. This information allows the dentist to develop a treatment protocol.
The Trudenta therapies are conservative and non-invasive and the program is specifically designed to help get patients off of any drugs they are using to control their headaches. Most patients report that the therapies are very relaxing and most experience pain relief after just one or two treatments. Most therapies extend from six to 12 weeks depending on severity and patients report being pain and headache free after completion of the therapy regimen.
What really makes this system unique is the blend of treatments: neuromuscular sports medicine targeting muscles and nerves combined with advanced dental treatments targeting TMJ dysfunction and bite imbalances. Treatment protocols involve therapeutic ultrasound to return circulation to sore and strained muscles and reduce inflammation. Sub-threshold microcurrent stimulation reduces muscle spasms and referral pain through low-electrical stimulation. Low-level laser therapy decreases inflammation and accelerates healing of muscles and joint tissues 25 to 35 percent faster than usual. These therapies are the same ones used to allow professional athletes to recover from injury faster (safely without drugs) and get them back on the playing field.
The Trudenta system is not only effective on patients with headaches and TMJ problems, but also patients who clench or grind their teeth or have tinnitus (ringing of the ears). It can also help patients who are suffering as a result of head or neck injuries from sports related traumas, falls or car accidents.
Headache sufferers often feel that their pain has no solution and some may think it is all in their mind. But it is not, and there are solutions for long-term help. For more information about the Trudenta system, visit www.trudenta.com or you may call me at 928-774-2500 or visit our website www.flagstaffdental.com. FBN
Written by Bryan J Shanahan, DDS