Frequently Asked Questions - How can I have problems now when I've been going to the dentist every 6 months for the past 20 years?

Most dentists deal with acute situations instead of looking at the position of the jaw or the patient's mouth in its entirety. In addition, it is important to realize that teeth are not static. They are constantly changing and shifting and therefore, should be handled as a dynamic process.

When a patient grinds a tooth down, many dentists make a "quick-fix" by putting a crown on it; or, when numerous teeth are worn due to grinding, it is often written off as stress. Very few practitioners look at why the teeth are worn. Bruxism, also known as grinding, is a symptom of some greater problem - just as ground down teeth are evidence of a poor bite, or malocclusion.

Neuromuscular dentistry, or NMD focuses not only on the form but the function of the teeth as well. Form, or the aesthetics of the tooth such as shape and color, represents the visible, physical aspect of dentistry. However, the function of the teeth can be considered even more important since they are responsible for enduring the test of time and stress of incessant chewing. Today, as many people require restorations of more than one tooth at a time, NMD becomes even more important. Dentists err when creating new multiple restorations, such as crowns or bridges, that simply "fill a hole" instead of determining how the patient's teeth will meet when they come together. Over time as more restorations are needed, this can create a malocclusion, also known as a bad bite. However, it is also very common for a malocclusion to exist without any restorations.

If and when a filling or crown is necessary, Dr. Zane doesn't simply schedule an appointment to fix it -- he stops to ask why. Are you grinding? Do you have headaches? Neckaches? Ringing in the ears or dizziness? Dr. Zane employs the methods of Neuromuscular Dentistry.