|
|
Lawndale Dentist Randall K Harwood DDS
Cosmetic Dentistry
|
|
|
Randall K Harwood DDS |
|
|
|
TMD, Bruxism, chronic
tension headaches,
migraine,…
Did you ever wonder what
these symptoms have in
common which all make your
life miserable ?
They all controlled and/or
moderated by the Trigeminal
Nerve System.
The Trigeminal Nerve has to
two divisions:
A) Motor Root, which sends
nerve impulses to the jaw
muscles to make them
contract; the far more
massive Sensory Division
(made up of the nerves that
bring in information from
the periphery).
B) Sensory Division is
divided into three distinct
segments of sensory
reception (thus the term
Trigeminal):
-
First Division:
Opthalmic: receives
sensory input from
arteries that surround
the brain to around and
behind the eyes
-
Second Division:
Maxillary: receives
sensory input from below
the eyes to the upper
jaw.
-
Third Division:
Mandibular: receives
sensory input for the
entire lower jaw.
All three divisions feed
into the Trigeminal
Sensory Nucleus.
The current understanding of
the nature of the migraine,
is that it results from
a disorder of "sensory
modulation", meaning that
information received by the
Sensory
Nucleus is misinterpreted,
thereby resulting in either
a disproportionate response,
or
an inappropriate response
altogether. For example,
during a migraine attack,
the
simple pressure changes of
the fluid that surrounds the
brain (resulting from the
beating
of the heart), is perceived
as "pounding".
The therapeutic goal in
migraine prevention is to
limit the amount of noxious
sensory input
(that is, to limit your
migraine "triggers") to the
Trigeminal Sensory Nucleus,
so that it
is not perceived as
nociception. Essentially,
the goal is to limit as much
negative input
to the Trigeminal Sensory
Nucleus as possible.
|
|
|
 The basic principle behind the NTI-tss
When considering an abnormal Trigeminal system where the Sensory Nucleus is hypersensitive, it is not unusual for the Motor Division to be also hyperactive. A hyperactive Trigeminal Motor Root results in excessive jaw muscle contraction, during certain stages of sleep, resulting in intense jaw clenching and/or vigorous teeth grinding.
These two activities produce a significant bombardment of noxious input (nociception) to the Sensory Nucleus, while also being the known cause of "TMD" (temporomandibular disorders), thereby becoming a self-perpetuation of chronic headache and/or migraine.
"NTI" refers to the nocturnal inhibition of trigeminal nociception.
In order for jaw clenching and teeth grinding to achieve pathologic intensity, the molars and/or canine teeth must be touching each other, or another object (like a traditional mouthpiece).
By keeping the molars and canines from touching anything during sleep, Nociception to the Trigeminal is Inhibited.
Minimizing jaw muscle intensity (that is, Trigeminal Motor Hyperactvity and the resultant nociception) therefore requires providing for incisor (front teeth) contact only during sleep.
The NTI device is a dental mouthpiece that a trained dentist provides for the patient. The NTI fits securely on either the patient's upper or lower front teeth while asleep. The unique presentation of the patient's bite dictates the design of the NTI device.
The most distinguishing characteristic of the NTI device is the discluding element, or "DE", which creates the exclusive contact between the incisors. In addition to preventing any molar or canine contract during sleep, the practitioner must also ensure that the device's design does not overly "open" the patient's mouth. Excessive opening while the patient is clenching on an object can create a strain of the TMJ (jaw joint), which would result in another noxious sensory input, thereby defeating the purpose of the NTI device.
Contact our office at (310) 370-5681 for more information about NTI today. |
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
Gum Disease
In Lawndale California and the surrounding
Manhattan Beach - Redondo Beach - Hermosa Beach - Torrance CA areas. |
|
Copyright 2005 Internet Dental Alliance, Inc.
Terms of Use
|
|
|
home
