Therapeutic ultrasound The goal of therapeutic ultrasound treatment is to restore circulation to sore, strained muscles through increased blood flow and heat. Another objective is to break up scar tissue and deep adhesions (areas where connective tissue fibers have formed over muscle) through sound waves. Therapeutic exposure to ultrasound reduces trigger point sensitivity and is considered a useful clinical tool for managing myofascial pain. Moreover, the ultrasound has also been shown to lessen the stiffness and discomfort of trigger points. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation Sub-threshold micro-current stimulation reduces muscle spasms and referral pain through a low electrical signal that decreases lactic acid buildup and encourages healthy nerve stimulation. Micro-current electrotherapy is known to significantly aid in increasing mouth opening. Low-level laser (light) therapy Low-level laser therapy, sometimes called light therapy for short, decreases pain and inflammation, accelerates the healing of muscle and joint tissues by 25%-35%, and reconnects the brain stem’s neurological pathways, effectively inhibiting pain. Low-level laser therapy combined with electrical stimulation improves mouth opening in patients diagnosed with TMJ/D. The musculoskeletal system's natural healing ability decreases pain and promotes TMJ stability. Manual muscle or trigger-point therapy Manual trigger-point therapy, also known as manual muscle therapy, decreases and eliminates pain and tension in the trigger points by breaking up muscle knots and increasing blood flow. This decreases inflammation and pain in the muscles. As part of their in-office treatment, a dentist-monitored homecare system/deprogrammer and intraoral orthotic device are given to patients for their own personal use on their own time. Table 1: Levels of dental force imbalance and dental headache care Patients will typically need: # A rehabilitation orthotic and some occlusal adjustments # A rehabilitation orthotic, and some occlusal adjustments # In-office treatments, rehabilitation orthotic, a basic at-home care kit, and occlusal adjustments # A greater number of in-office treatments, a rehabilitation orthotic, a basic at-home care kit, a micro-current stimulation kit, and occlusal adjustments.
Dentomandibular sensorimotor dysfunction
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Velopharyngeal inadequacy
Oropharyngeal dysphagia
Orofacial myofunctional disorders
Somatosensory disorder
Velopharyngeal insufficiency
Pressure of speech