“Night guard pushed my pain over the edge” Neck pain, jaw pain, migraines, fatigue solved by PNMD!

For more information www.MidwestHeadaches.com
Gena is a young mom in her 30’s and a military wife. She managed her constant neck pain through weekly chiropractic adjustments. She also had constant jaw tightness which had started since she had braces as a teenager when two upper teeth were removed to straighten her teeth. For several years she had constant headaches, migraines, and disturbed sleep resulting in fatigue. It was a struggle to get through the day with her many responsibilities as a mother of young children and a military wife.
Her general dentist saw some evidence of tooth grinding and recommended a night guard. Soon after she started wearing the night guard, she felt some shifting of her teeth. She felt that pushed her pain over the edge into becoming unbearable. The senior dentist informed her that should not be the case and referred her to Dr Raman for help.
His clinical examination confirmed that she had jaw alignment “TMJ” problems and that is the likely root cause of her many symptoms even beyond the jaw.
Gena went through detailed diagnostic tests including our unique "Raman CCMD Protocol" of Physiologic Neuro Muscular Dental (PNMD) procedure to determine the optimal jaw and neck alignment. Balance tests revealed that her postural compensations were primarily due to the jaw alignment. So that linked her jaw problem to whole body symptoms such as fatigue.
All the findings and options for treatment were reviewed the consultation prior to starting phase 1 treatment. She was informed of her narrow upper jaw which limits the function of the lower jaw. It is like a narrow shoe would not allow the foot to come all the way forward. She was then fitted with a physiologic neuromuscular fixed orthotic for 90 days as a reversible phase 1 treatment. This is both a therapeutic and diagnostic step. Even though phase 1 fixed orthotic is only on the lower teeth, like teeth extensions to make up for the jaw alignment discrepancy, there needs to enough of an improvement of symptoms to give the patient confidence to go forward with treatment or to give up and reverse course.
Gena started noticing improvements jaw pain and jaw lock very quickly. This is one of the important reasons that we use a PNM Fixed orthotic. It is correcting the jaw alignment truly 24/7, every second of the day. Of course, the key is how accurately the jaw / neck alignment was diagnosed first. That is the alignment that the fixed orthotic maintains.
Within weeks of Phase 1 PNM Fixed orthotic, all of her symptoms were improving significantly. By 7 weeks of phase 1 orthotic treatment, Gena reported 75% overall improvement of symptoms. Performed muscle palpations and recorded 6/44 painful points with a pain score of 33/132 vs 31/44 and 91/132 pre op. 1. Neck pain - 50%. 2. Jaw pain - 80%. 3. Headaches - 50%. 4. Sleep disturbance / energy - 50%. Patient also reported that her posture and balance have improved.
Phase 1 proved that PNMD treatment was actually resolving her neck, jaw, and other symptoms, even though the upper arch was unchanged and narrow. Gena and her family made the decision to move forward with Neuromuscular Functional Orthodontics in preparation for Full Mouth Reconstruction as her phase 2 option. By correcting the upper arch, there will be more room created for the lower jaw and tongue which affects airway. That in turn affects quality of sleep and neck posture during the day.
Once there was more room created for tongue function, Gena was referred to Orofacial Myofunctional therapy to properly train the tongue muscles to utilize the room that is available. Using orthodontic braces her crowded lower front teeth were straightened and properly aligned for restoring the.
12 months later, her teeth arches were optimal, here tongue function was optimal and her overall posture was improved as well. Now she is ready for the last step of her treatment plan - Full Mouth Reconstruction.
Muscle palpations done and recorded 5/44 painful points with a pain score of 23/132 vs 31/44 and 91/132 pre op. Reviewed improvements of top symptoms 1. Neck pain - 50%. 2. Jaw pain - 90%. 3. Headaches - 75%. 4. Sleep disturbance / energy - 80%. No longer runs out of gas by 4 or 5pm.
The role of FMR is to stabilize the optimal alignment of the jaw and neck achieved up to that point while also filling the gaps created with beautiful bonded porcelain restorations for long term. FMR option achieves optimal function and optimal beauty at the least amount of time.
Part 2 of Gena’s history will cover her FMR experience and final results of her treatment!