A neuromuscular dentist in Geneva has been helping clients overcome a wide range of painful symptoms, not normally considered treatable by dentists.
Neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Yves Delessert, has been using techniques such as muscle relaxation (TENS), electromyography (EMG) and jaw tracking to relieve discomfort in clients suffering with a variety of debilitating conditions such as headaches, tinnitus, temporomanibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), and myofacial pain.
Currently the only DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) in Switzerland practising neuromuscular dentistry (NMD), Dr. Delessert explained to knowitall.ch, “NMD is a term applied to techniques that expand upon the traditional approach to dentistry, and considers the entire system that controls the positioning and function of the jaw. The neuromuscular dentist seeks to establish a jaw position based on the harmonious relationship of three main factors affecting occlusion - the teeth, muscles and jaw joints. The resulting jaw position is called the neuromuscular bite.”
He continued, “The bite can be a factor in many types of pain or functional problems because of the inter-relationship between the teeth, jaw joints, head and neck muscles, and head posture - a problem in any one of these areas may affect others. Problems can range from headaches, clicking or popping of the jaw joint, and tinnitus, through to swallowing difficulties, excessive snoring or sleep apnea, ear congestion, insomnia, and even tingling in your fingertips.”
When clients visit Dr. Delessert’s practice in Carouge, they first undergo a number of tests to see if their habitual bite is the probable cause of their condition or pain. If this is the case, Dr. Delssert will then try to identify a new jaw position while the jaw muscles are in a relaxed state. This jaw position and the corresponding new bite is called neuromuscular occlusion, and is based on ’’happy muscles’’– those that are physiologically at rest. Proprioception can be overcome and a relaxed state of the musculature can be achieved in a reasonable period of time using ultra-low frequency TENS stimulation.
A custom-made plastic appliance, called an orthotic, can be worn over or fixed to the teeth to maintain the neuromuscularly-derived bite position. It is important to note that, at this point, nothing is done to permanently alter the teeth or bite position. Clients typically wear the plastic appliance for a prescribed period of time to see whether the new jaw position solves or reduces the problem. If it does, then this means that the imperfect bite was the likely cause of the problem and clients may elect to continue and have their natural teeth treated to permanently maintain the new bite position. If symptoms are not substantially alleviated, the bite position is unlikely to be the cause of the problem, and other causes may then be further explored, without altering the natural bite position.
Many of the people who come to visit Dr. Delessert have been suffering with their symptoms for several years and seen numerous physicians in that time, without success. For the neuromuscular trained dentist, however, the success rate in curing tension headaches can be at least 95%. Take a look at Dr. Delessert’s website (see below) to view the full list of conditions that can be treated using NMD techniques. If you see any of your own symptoms on the list, then think about making an appointment, if only to find out more information. Migraines and tensions can be extremely debilitating, so why suffer any longer than you need to? Neuromuscular dentistry may just be the answer you are looking for.
About Dr. Yves Delssert
Dr. Yves Delessert, DDS, MS, is of Swiss origin. He received his dental and doctoral degree from the Geneva Dental School. He is a postgraduate of U.C.L.A. (University of California Los Angeles) with a postdoctoral degree in Prosthodontics and he also earned a Master of Science in Education from U.S.C. (University of Southern California). He then completed a third postdoctoral degree F.A.C.E. (Foundation Advanced Continuing Education) in full mouth rehabilitation and TMD/TMJ disorders in Burlingame/California. He is a neuromuscular LVI (Las Vegas Institute) trained dentist.
Dr. Yves Delessert DDS, MS
Médecin Dentiste
Postgraduate U.C.L.A & U.S.C.
Prosthodontist
Av. du Cardinal Mermillod 1
1227 Carouge, Genève
Switzerland.
022 300 67 60
www.douleurmachoire.ch
