Neuromuscular Dentist Serving the Bay Area, San Jose, CA

Neuromuscular dentists are dentists with specialties focused on how the muscles and nerves work with the jaw, teeth, and gums to ensure the mouth is functioning properly. They are familiar with treating dentistry as the mouth as a system rather than just focusing on the teeth and gums. Neuromuscular disorders can affect the nerves or muscles within the mouth and can affect how well the patient can perform daily dental hygiene activities such as brushing their teeth or flossing. 
 
The primary focus of neuromuscular dentists is to ensure proper alignment of their patients’ jaws and that they are in the correct position to properly open and close. It is essential to have a proper “bite” to have a healthy mouth. They will often ease tension on the joints around the jaw by relaxing the muscles to help relieve patients of disorders such as temporomandibular disorders and malocclusion (also known as a crossbite). So much of our quality of life can be determined by what we are able to eat, so it is incredibly important that we are able to make sure that we receive the proper care for our mouths and jaws if any neuromuscular disorders develop, which may affect how our jaws function.

While there are many different types of neuromuscular disorders, a few of the more common ones include botulism, congenital myopathies, motor neuron disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as ALS). The most common neuromuscular disorder is the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, which happens when antibodies are produced by the immune system to prevent transmission of nerve impulses to muscles by attaching themselves to the neuromuscular junction.
 
However, there exist neuromuscular disorders that only affect the joints and muscles in the jaw, which is what neuromuscular dentists treat. These disorders include temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and malocclusion, or any other neuromuscular disorder in which the positioning of the jaw is affected.

Neuromuscular disabilities affect the communication between nerves and muscles, which can impact muscle strength, movement, and overall physical function. Symptoms can vary depending on the specific condition and the areas of the body affected, but many people experience changes related to muscle control and coordination.

Common symptoms of neuromuscular disabilities may include:

• Muscle weakness that affects daily activities or mobility
• Muscle twitching, cramping, stiffness, or discomfort
• Difficulty with balance, coordination, or movement
• Challenges with activities such as walking, lifting, or maintaining posture
• Trouble swallowing or breathing in some cases
• Reduced muscle control, including changes affecting facial muscles
• Drooping eyelids, double vision, or other vision-related concerns
• Tingling, numbness, or unusual sensations in the limbs

Because symptoms can vary widely, early evaluation by a healthcare professional is important for understanding the underlying cause and determining appropriate care. A thorough assessment can help identify changes in muscle and nerve function and guide the next steps for support and treatment.

To find out if you have a neuromuscular disorder, you will have to go to a medical professional to get a blood test, muscle biopsy, spinal tap, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (an MRI), or genetic testing. However, the most common way to check patients for a neuromuscular disorder is through electromyography, which is when the medical professional will use very fine electrodes to poke through tissue into muscles to test the electrical currents of the neurons that should be firing to that muscle.
 
More specifically, neuromuscular dentists will also use electromyography to test the functioning of jaw muscles, but may also use sonography (which measures vibrations during opening and closing of the jaw), or jaw tracking, which is a 3-D model of the jaw drawn magnetically to help identify if there are any visible abnormalities.

At Selective Dental in San Jose, CA, Dr. Victoria Vuong, DDS, and our team evaluate how the teeth, jaw joints, muscles, and nerves work together to support comfortable oral function. Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on identifying concerns related to jaw alignment, bite balance, and muscle function to help address symptoms that may affect daily activities.

Our team provides personalized evaluations based on each patient’s symptoms, dental health, and individual needs. We take time to understand concerns such as jaw discomfort, bite issues, or changes in oral function and discuss appropriate care options designed to support improved comfort and overall dental health. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3151 South White Road, Suite 203 San Jose, CA 95148. We proudly serve patients throughout San Jose CA, the Bay Area and surrounding Santa Clara County—including Evergreen CA, Silver Creek CA, Berryessa CA, Alum Rock CA, Willow Glen CA and neighboring Milpitas CA, Santa Clara CA, and Campbell CA.