by Dan Mannikko, DDS | Neuromuscular dentistry is a treatment philosophy that looks beyond teeth to the other structures and tissues that are indirectly altered in an individual’s attempt to bring their teeth and jaws together. Neuromuscular dentists deal with the delicate interplay between the upper and lower teeth, right and left jaw joints, and muscles of the face, neck, and shoulders as they all relate to a stabile, strong spinal alignment. The actions of the lower jaw are very … [Read more...]
Dan Mannikko, DDS
Written by Sara Piccola It was a pleasant surprise walking into Dr. Dan Mannikko’s office, being greeted with a relaxing atmosphere and an elegant waiting area with only 4 chairs. Was this a dentist’s or a massage therapist’s waiting room? There is no doubt Dr. Mannikko is a dentist. In 1997 he graduated from the University of Pacific Dental School in San Francisco, and has been practicing ever since. Continuing his education, Dr. Mannikko has had additional training from the Las Vegas … [Read more...]
Dental Health & Heart Disease
Written by Zeny N. Ocean, DDS The clear links between dental health and heart disease just got a lot stronger, which may now be a motivational factor for many to improve oral hygiene. People with bleeding gums allow entry of up to 700 different types of bacteria directly into their circulation, increasing the risk for a heart attack. The new research was presented by several groups at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting held at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Steve … [Read more...]
Improving Athletic Performance & Well-Being By Correcting An Unbalanced Bite
Improving Athletic Performance & Well-Being By Correcting An Unbalanced Bite. Written by Dan Mannikko, DDS What is your physical potential? Weekend warriors and professional athletes alike are always pushing their physical limits. How would instant improvements in balance, flexibility, and strength help your performance? Traditionally, mouth guards have been used to protect an athlete’s teeth and jaws, mainly in high-impact activities. While we all know that teeth are used for … [Read more...]
TMD: The Grand Imposter
By Dan Mannikko, DDS The Temporomandibular Joint, or TMJ, is located just in front of the ear openings on both sides of the head. This joint is the connection point of the lower jaw to the skull, and with contraction and relaxation of the muscles, the lower jaw can move in many different dimensions. The TMJ joint is very unique in that it is the ONLY joint that can rotate and slide. This is very important for the movements necessary for talking, swallowing, chewing and supporting the head on … [Read more...]
Neuromuscular Dentistry
When thinking about dentistry, common topics that come to mind include the usual terms: crown, root canal, fillings, whitening, etc. Neuromuscular dentistry, on the other hand, concerns itself with how a proper, aligned bite affects not only the head, jaw, and neck, but the patient’s health as a whole. Recent scientific discoveries have shown that a misaligned bite is implicated in many of the aches and pains associated with living in a hectic, modern world. Occlusion, or how a person’s … [Read more...]
