It has been a while since we have discussed what the NTI is and how it works, I think it is about time for a refresher on the subject. 

The NTI is a small, clear nightguard that only covers your four front teeth. Due to its small size, it is comfortable to wear while you sleep. The NTI-tss Plus™ is custom fabricated to be worn on either your upper or lower teeth and is made of safe, non-toxic thermoplastic that does not contain Bisphenol A.

TMJ disorder, or temporomadibular joint disorder is a common diagnosis for many patients across the country.  This disorder can be a bite imbalance  involving the jaw joint as well as the associated muscles and teeth.  

In a recent article published in Wrightsville Beach Magazine, Dr. Michael Kuzma, D.D.S, of Kuzma Advanced Dentistry says, "The bite imbalances can be likened to having a pebble in your shoe. If you continue to walk with that imbalance, the muscles and joints of your knee, hip and back would soon be affected. This is also what is happening when you have imbalances in your bite; signs and symptoms will soon be present." 

Are isolating yourself in dark rooms or popping handfuls of aspirin your ideas of headache relief?  An increasingly popular dental treatment was presented at the 2nd European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress meeting in Nice, France. Neurologist, Dr. Andrew Blumenfeld presented a poster  about the safety and effectiveness of the NTI therapeutic protocol for the treatment of headaches and migraines.

Dr. Blumenfeld's presentation was based on survey responses from nearly 600 dentists that provided more than 75,000 NTI splints to their patients. The participating dentists reported the NTI served as an effective treatment for headaches in more than 90% of these patients. Dr. Blumenfeld's presentation also showed the NTI to result in undesirable clinical changes in less than 2% of patients. These findings were also published by Dr. Blumenfeld in The Journal of Headache and Pain. This is the only headache treatment I'm aware of that has been demonstrated to be this safe and effective.