If the body is brought out of balance for various reasons, muscle tension can occur. Reasons can be, for example, prior injuries and strains, or in the case of the head and neck region, imprecise fillings and dentures, displacement of cervical vertebrae, etc. Developed muscle tension can displace joints from their balanced position and can cause the symptoms listed.
In RMC Dental Center, we use balancing therapies to cure problems arising from muscle and joint dysfunction or imbalanced posture, and we help to maintain the balance achieved.
The therapeutic process
Elimination of abnormal or increased muscle tension, and the resulting reduction of burden on the joint can be achieved with the assistance of masseter massage, physical therapy, or swallowing therapy. These are needed because balance of the chewing joint is developed primarily by balance of the muscles. During the therapy sessions we gradually teach the patients self-treatment exercises (self-massage and restoring balance). After loosening blocks and tensions, we determine the balanced position of the lower jaw, based on which we create “holders”. The holders relax the joint system and supplement and restore the height of lost and worn-down tooth height (bite height) and they enable dental arches to move unobstructed in relation to each other. The surface of the holders is provided by the current balance position, so as muscle tension relaxes further, holders must also be modified.
After balance is achieved, the aim is to maintain it. To this end, chewing surface restoration may be necessary, which may be preceded by orthodontic work in certain situations.
Balancing in childhood
With children the situation differs in that the situation of the teeth shows whether or not the body is balanced. If there is mouth breathing or if the tongue does not rest on the roof of the mouth when relaxed, the dental arches reflect the position of the tongue and position themselves as determined by the muscles surrounding them. Masseter massage, physical therapy, speech therapy, swallowing and breathing therapy and trainers can offer help in resolving existing problems and developing balance. Trainers can help in preparation for fixed orthodontic braces that may be necessary in the future, and can also help in reducing the amount of time those need to be worn.
