Craniocervical mandibular disorder CCMD

It is usually associated with pain and tenderness in the jaw muscles, temperomandibular joint(jaw joint), head, neck, shoulder and back. The pain is persistent and chronic in nature.

What are the symptoms of CCMD?

• Pain in the muscles of jaw
• Headaches and migraine
• Pain and stiffness in neck, shoulder and back
• Clicking or popping sound in the jaw joints upon opening or closing
• Limited jaw movements
• Pain while opening and closing the jaws
• Loss of balance
• Facial deformity
• Ringing or hissing sound in the ears
• Double or blurred vision
• Tingling sensation in fingers
• Leg pain and cramps

Smile and glow diagnostic protocol for Craniocervical mandibular disorder

Diagnosis and treatment is more like for any neuromuscular disorder.

• Detailed case history taking
• Clinical examination
  • Intra oral and extraoral examination
  • Postural examination
• Intra oral and extra oral photos
• Radiology
  • Full mouth x-ray (OPG)
  • Lateral Cephalogram
  • TMJ view (open and close, right and left)
  • Airway CBCT 3D Volumetry
  • MRI scan
  • Whole body scan
• Sleep study (HST –Home Sleep test or PSG – Polysomnograph)
• Equipment such as Ultra Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (ULF-TENS),  jaw tracker, and MAT Scan will be used to diagnose the exact problem.

T-Scan(Digital occlusal analysis)

Almost all dental procedures performed has an impact on occlusion(bite). A bad bite can adversely affect the quality of life of the patient. T-Scan is a device  that helps to analyse the bite precisely and reveals the amount and timing of force on individual teeth and the occlusal stability of the overall bite. 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) 

Ultra low frequency Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a technique to relieve pain using an electrical current. Low-voltage electrical impulses are sent to a particular nerve through electrodes placed on the skin. 

Functions of the TENS machine

• Helps to relax the muscles of chewing 
• They prevent the pain signals from reaching the brain.
• They help in the production of endorphins (natural painkillers).
• They improve blood circulation.

After the muscles are relaxed using the TENS machine, the actual jaw position is recorded.

Treatment for Craniocervical mandibular disorders

The treatment for neuromuscular disorders like TMD (Temporal Mandibular Disorder), OSA(Obstructive Sleep Apnea), and CCMD (Cranio Cervical Mandibular Disorder) are done using the same holistic approach.

The expert neuromuscular dentist and orthodontist at Smile and Glow would diagnose your problem and treat it. He will use a ultra low frequency transcutaneous nerve stimulation device (J5 TENS machine-Myomonitor or musclemonitor) to relax the muscles in your face in order to relieve muscle strain that results in signs and symptoms. Some patients will require a removable dental splint or mandibular orthodpedic repositioning appliance (MORA). He may treat you using orthotics, braces or restorations to  ensure that  your teeth, muscles, and joints work harmoniuously, thus relieving you of the pain.  In some cases surgical treatment may be required.

Most often the neuromuscular disorders are treated by a team of specialists including a neuromuscular orthodontist, physiotherapist, yoga and breathing specialist, ENT, Pulmonologist and a psychologist.

The longer the condition has existed, the longer would be the time required for  treatment . Hence every child should be examined at the age of seven years. Anyone with chronic pain in the jaws, jaw joints, head, face, neck, shoulder, legs  should be examined as soon as the signs or symptoms are noticed.