After a thorough intra-oral and extra-oral patient exam, which includes muscle spasm-trigger point evaluation, Dr. Pilar employs a dual pronged treatment program consisting of ETPS (Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation) and a customized muscle orthotic appliance, the NTI. 

ETPS combines the principles of acutherapy with D.C. current at extremely low frequency levels via electric stimulation to locate, pinpoint and treat the trigger points which set off the debilitating muscle contractions and ensuing painful symptoms.

The NTI is the most effective FDA-approved method of migraine prevention. Medical insurance and Medicare cover most treatment.

ADVANTAGES of the NTI

NTI orthotic is an appliance that eliminates total back teeth contact between all upper and lower teeth, specifically the canine through the last molar on both sides. All this done with minimum loss of vertical space between the upper and lower back teeth in a closed position No other appliance can accomplish this minimal closure of space. Minimum closure of space between upper and lower back teeth with appliance in mouth is critical as it prevents excessive lateral sliding movements of the jaw joint. In addition, the total removal of this back contact of upper and lower teeth eliminates all temporal muscle excitement (clenching muscle), which excitement is measured at 600 lbs/sq. inch of pressure plus.

Eliminated is the clenching force of upper back teeth against the lower back teeth especially during sleep. What results with the transfer of clenching forces to the front teeth is minimal clenching pressure of maybe 60 lbs of force on the front teeth, at which pressure the body can handle very well. In many cases, back teeth clenching is the silent source of eventual ear ringing/congestion/ light-headedness/ sinus congestion/ migraine/ tension headaches/neck & shoulder pain, etc.

IMPORTANCE of PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND ORTHOTIC TREATMENT

There is an art to making the NTI orthotic. Each NTI orthotic is custom made taking over one and a half hours to fabricate at chair side. I strongly believe an NTI laboratory- made orthotic cannot provide the detail needed to achieve maximum results, and that any deviation from ideal results will end up in failure. I read about the “pros” and “cons” of the NTI effectiveness and I can say the only “con” is the ineffectiveness of the provider of the service. The degree of difficulty in making the correct NTI appliance is much greater than fabricating a lab processed orthotic with someone’s name attached to the device.

I have made close to one thousand NTI orthotics with positive results in almost all TMJ/headache/tension-stress cases presented to me.

In addition, we see many Tinnitus cases (ringing in the ear) presented without any overt TMJ symptoms present. Many times the physician misses the TMJ involvement and concludes that the ear is fine, however, the patient continues to suffer. The silent killer is the clenching and the forceful pressure of the jaw against the outer part of the inner ear wall which causes lightheadedness/congestion/ringing in the ear (usually unilaterally). Patients in most cases are not aware of night clenching. The tell tale sign is for the doctor to feel and palpate the elevator muscles and tendon within the mouth to see signs of inflammation. Over a period of one to three months, the orthotic, in most cases is effective in treating tinnitus emanating from undiagnosed TMJ disorder.

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