What does "NTI" stand for?
Nociceptive (relating to the perception of things that could be
harmful); Trigeminal (the nerve that controls the major muscle
of mastication; Inhibition.
What does clenching and/or grinding my teeth have to do with the use of an NTI device?
The
high intensity contractions of your powerful jaw muscles become painful
and the force generated causes pain to the majority of the surrounding tissues, joints, cartiladge and
other muscles.
The NTI device is worn while you sleep
Subsiding and/or reducing the symptoms that are directly related to the degree and longevity of
each individual's condition will no doubt vary. However, it is not unusual for some patients
to report significant relief overnight; others usually within two to four
weeks. Generally speaking, by reducing the intensity and amount of the clenching, you can effectively and efficiently minimize the source of the pain - in many cases, in just
a few days.
Does insurance cover the cost?
Usually dental or medical insurance plans will help pay for the service,
but all plans are different. Coverage should
be discussed with your dentist.
What can we do to help?
In
one office visit we can create a custom-made NTI oral appliance. The
tiny, clear-plastic device fits over your front teeth at night and
makes clenching virtually impossible. In a few days or weeks, your
clenching reflex is suppressed. Morning headache pain, neck pain, sore
jaw, and other related pain associated with involuntary intense
clenching usually begins to resolve and disappear.
Is there a difference between the NTI and the traditional dental nightguard device or TMJ splint?
Yes.
Traditional flat-plane splints and nightguard devices provide a surface
for you the "bite down on." New studies show, however, that these
devices can actually increase the intensity of your clenching reflex,
often to over 104% of your normal bite. Some patients have actually broken their devices!
High-intensity clenching has
recently been found to be the real cause of the problem. With the
advent of the revolutionary NTI device, we can begin to solve the real
problem: actually preventing your back teeth from clenching intensely
and coming into contact with each other. Stop intense clenching, stop
the source of the pain.
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