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 (888) 332-5905 for more information about NTI today.

 

I had an NTI for a couple of years, to help with clenching my teeth during the night, and then lost it while on vacation.    A few months passed and I could feel my jaw ache had returned.   I've been using my new, replacement device for about a week now, and the jaw pain has subsided significantly.

Thanks Randy!
Take care,
A. W.

 

Dear Dr. Harwood,

I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your suggesting the NTI night guard for my incessant teeth grinding. Having tried every kind of splint and guard this one is by far the best. It hasn't stopped my Bruxism but it has stopped the terrible headaches this condition would give me. I've suffered with those headaches all my life. For over a year and a half since you made the device for me, I've not had one headache due to the grinding.

Thank you so much for your careful attention and suggestion.

Best Regards,
Dawn M.

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