Instrumental functional diagnostics with the DIR^® system provides early diagnosis of disorders of the temporomandibular joints and teeth. The functional analysis services, however, are not part of the range of services reimbursed by statutory health insurers – but for every patient they are

•  important
• advisable
• and affordable.
  

We’ll be pleased to inform you!

• Tension pain in the jaws and face, pain or noises in the ears
• Neck, shoulder and back pain
• Spinal and joint complaints
• Sleep disorders
• Teeth grinding and snoring

People who frequently suffer from these complaints or who notice definite cracking noises when chewing usually have functional disorders of the masticatory system: temporomandibular joint syndrome.

This disorder is relatively common in our society – up to 10% of the population are affected.

If the upper and lower jaw do not meet in the ideal position, we refer to a “false bite”. Even the slightest deviations may be enough to cause a wide variety of symptoms. The muscles of our masticatory system (teeth and temporomandibular joints) are connected to the spinal muscles. This is why the “false bite” can give rise to symptoms that go beyond the head region.
Although massages, injections and analgesics provide a certain amount of relief, they don’t cure the actual cause. Dentists, orthodontists, ear-nose-and throat specialists, and physiotherapists cooperate closely to help affected patients.

Spinal and joint complaints can also have their origin in the temporomandibular joints and the “false bite”. A special examination by the dentist is therefore certainly valuable in determining whether the complaints are being caused by your masticatory organ.

Instrumental functional diagnostics offers the treating dentist a modern method of measurement to maintain the health of your entire body.

Sleep disorders, for example, can be caused by teeth grinding (bruxism). With this condition, the sleeping person presses the teeth together with great chewing pressure. This can destroy the enamel and the teeth become sensitive. Signs of this habit are the often clearly visible wear of the front teeth. After nocturnal teeth grinding, the jaw often feels stiff and fatigued the next morning, and the mobility of the jaws is impaired.

The diagnostic examination with the DIR® system is absolutely pain-free for the patient and of short duration. A small plastic template with a measuring sensor is placed on the teeth. The patient closes his/her mouth and executes jaw movements as instructed by the dentist. The result is displayed on a monitor screen after only a few seconds. The treating dentist can now evaluate this image (in the same way as with an X-ray) and optimise the bite with the aid of the DIR® system.

This new bite position of the teeth serves as the basis for further therapy, such as curing the symptoms with a removable plastic bite splint.

As soon as permanent freedom from symptoms has been achieved, further treatment by the dentist or orthodontist (without plastic bite splint) may be needed.

Measurement/diagnosis with the DIR^® system is generally recommended before producing new dental restorations.

DIR^® System
Dynamics and Intraoral Registration
www.dir-system.de