Neuromuscular dentistry: An untapped resource for enhanced patient care

• Author Details:   
• Sandeep Bethala ^*
• Shahul Hameed Faizee
• Xavier Dhayananth Lawrence
• Hemamalini Dileep Kumar

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Background: Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD) integrates treatment to balance oral and facial structures by addressing the relationships among teeth, muscles, nerves, and the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Changes in teeth alignment and jaw position can affect the cranio-maxillofacial complex, leading to neck pain and Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). A deep understanding of Neuromuscular Dentistry opens new doors to comprehensive patient care. This study aims to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of NMD among dental professionals like Orthodontists, General Dental Practitioners (GDP), and other dental specialists.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a nationwide web-based survey of 26 self-administered validated questionnaires. A total of 324 dental professionals participated in the survey. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 22. Statistical tests like Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Walli's, and Chi-Square were used to compare variables. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The overall mean awareness of NMD among participants was significantly associated with the designation (p=0.010) and experience of dentists (p=0.045), with higher scores among orthodontists and dentists with more than 5 years of clinical experience. Knowledge scores were also higher for these groups, with a significant difference seen with clinical experience (p=0.048).

Conclusion: Most dentists knew of NMD but needed more knowledge about specific diagnostic tools and treatments. Orthodontists and experienced dentists scored higher awareness and knowledge scores. Most expressed interest in further NMD education. These findings emphasize integrating NMD principles into dental curricula to enhance patient care and promote holistic dental practices.