Neuromuscular Orthotics in the Treatment of Craniomandibular Dysfunction and the Effects on Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to identify, measure and document an effect on the subjective multiple sclerosis symptoms and compare it to any objective data changes in the neuromuscular system of the head and neck, following the correction of the jaw position using a neuromuscular orthotic. The hope is to provide clinical evidence of improvement in the disease long-term without relying on the subjective evidence of remissions and exacerbations reported by the patient. The evidence found in the current pilot study measured improvement of head position, jaw position, jaw function, and airway in the neuromuscular bite position, which correlated with the improvement of subjective symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction and multiple sclerosis. Studies show that the bite affects blood flow in the brain, which may explain the improvement of the patients in the current study.

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Notes on contributors

Tammarie Heit

Dr. Tammarie Heit graduated with distinction from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada in 1996. She is a graduate of The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, current president of The Multidisciplinary Association For The Study of Cranio-Cervical Pain (MASCCP) in Edmonton and holds a mastership at the International College of Cranio- Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO). Dr. Heit is the Canadian Regent for ICCMO, a member of The International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics, The Canadian Dental Association, and The Alberta Dental Association and College. Dr. Heit has a general dentistry practice in Edmonton, Alberta.