About Us

Denise, Dr. Christenson and Lori

Dr. Christenson's Training

As a Neuromuscular Dentist, Dr. Christenson includes the muscles, nerves, and supporting structures of the mouth in a thorough evaluation. Recent advancements in technology have allowed Dr. Christenson to measure more accurately the most comfortable position for muscles, teeth, and jaw. Neuromuscular Dentistry can help achieve the best comfort and health.

Dr. Christenson has completed the following courses at the Las Vegas Institute and is well qualified to diagnose your particular conditions. Call us at 760-446-7480 to discuss your concerns.

Advanced Functional and Comprehensive Aesthetics
Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Advanced Posterior Aesthetics
Practical Occlusion in the Progressive Practice (Occlusion I)
Mastering Neuromuscular Occlusion (Occlusion II)
Coronalplasty and Case Finishing (Occlusion III)
TMD Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (Occlusion IV)
Scan Interpretation and Diagnosis (Occlusion V)
Occlusion Training for the Team
Practical Endodontics
Neuromuscular Full and Partial Dentures
Neuromuscular Orthodontics

"Happy" Muscles

Happy muscles work together in harmony and when finished working, rest more comfortably. When muscles rest and are comfortable they can reduce many symptoms including grinding, wearing, and pushing of the teeth.

The nerves and muscles that control and guide our jaw during movement can become tense, sore, and spastic. These unhappy muscles can contribute to a significant amount of pain, tension and lower the quality of comfort in and around our mouths.

Unhappy muscles can contribute or cause a wide assortments of problems including painful teeth; gum disease; painful, clicking, or popping jaw joints (TMD); hearing and ear problems (dizziness, chronic ear infections, ringing); headaches; face, neck, and back pain; tingling in the fingers; sleep problems; chipped and worn teeth. Painful muscles inside our heads are sometimes behind the bones and hard to reach and touch.

Sonography

Sonography enables Dr. Christenson to accurately measure joint sounds. These measurements help diagnose the quality, quantity, and location of sound movement indicating the amount of clicking, popping, grinding, and scraping taking place in the joint. During and again after treatment, these sounds can be compared and the improvement in healing monitored. Unhappy muscles can cause joint sounds.

Tens

Traditional dental treatment is built to fit your existing dental conditions and problems. Tensing the muscles removes the lactic acid and brings in fresh blood and nourishment for the muscles. This helps relax the muscles. Relaxed happy muscles and nerves are the foundation for most dental treatment.

Electromyography

Electromyography is technologically monitoring the electrical activity and tension in a muscle. Not unlike a physician taking an EKG of the heart, Dr. Christenson can monitor and record the muscles of chewing. One of the most exciting aspects of the EMG is the ability to measure the accurate fit of the teeth when biting. Precise adjustments of crowns, fillings, and teeth not only help teeth last longer but reduce diseases and improve the comfort of muscles and teeth.

Jaw Tracking

This includes full range of motion, velocity, rest position before and after relaxation, most relaxed range, and best position of the jaw for muscle function. Jaw positioning helps position the teeth so the joints and muscles are most comfortable.

Teeth are victims of unhappy muscles. If the muscles are not happy, the teeth can chip, break, wear, and die; toothaches and temperature sensitivities develop; and gum disease increases. Unhappy muscles can wear out teeth and dental work. For the longest lasting dental treatment and best health, Dr. Christenson is pleased to offer you the best in neuromuscular dentistry.