YOUR DENTIST CAN HELP TAKE THE "BITE" OUT OF MIGRAINE PAIN
with the NTI System

Approximately 32 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks the condition among the top twenty causes of years lived with disability. But beyond its debilitating effects on family and social life as well as employment, migraines can also be life-threatening. A recent study determined that migraine sufferers are at more than double the risk for stroke than those without the condition, and according to MAGNUM, the National Migraine Association, more deaths occurred last year from Migrainous Stroke than from handguns.

Many myths and misconceptions continue about the nature and causes of migraine headaches. Although much is still unknown about the condition, research is uncovering more and more about its underlying neurological causes. For one thing, migraines are more than just headaches. Medical research has determined that migraine is a disease that is almost certainly genetically based. Brought on by the release of pain-inducing inflammatory substances around the nerves and blood vessels of the head, migraines are characterized by dilated blood vessels. In this respect, they differ fundamentally from other types of headaches, which are brought on by the constriction of blood vessels, and therefore cannot be treated effectively by the same methods used to treat other headaches.

Although the brain and surrounding tissues have naturally been the focus of most research regarding migraine, more and more attention has been drawn to the area below the cheekbone, and the jaw joint in particular. Teeth clenching and/or grinding has long been known to potentially cause pain and damage, but may have particular consequences for those with migraine. In a large percentage of migraine sufferers, the trigeminal nerve, which reports sensations from the oral area to the brain, is found to be hyperactive. Intense nighttime jaw clenching during sleep results in a bombardment of negative information sent to the brain’s sensory nucleus, thereby sensitizing it and making the patient far more susceptible to migraine attacks. Those who awaken with headache pain may be victims of this vicious cycle of interacting biological factors that can exacerbate both migraine and tension headaches.

No cure is known for the disabling and painful disease, but migraine symptoms have traditionally been treated primarily with a variety of medications. This can involve a potentially complicated and expensive regime of different preventative, attack-aborting and pain management substances, with possible side effects and unpredictable effectiveness. Many alternative treatment methods have been explored, but one of the most exciting new developments in the area of treatment concentrates on the management of nighttime jaw clenching.

The NTI Tension Suppression System is an FDA-approved intraoral device that can help reduce nighttime jaw clenching and relieve migraine symptoms. In fact, in clinical trials reviewed by the FDA, 82% of medically diagnosed migraine sufferers had a 77% average reduction of migraine pain attacks within the first eight weeks of use. The easy-to-use device basically ensures that teeth remain properly aligned during sleep to prevent destructive clenching and grinding tendencies. But unlike other systems for jaw clenching, the NTI System is specially designed to precisely and consistently relieve pressure to the trigeminal nerve. Dr. Kernagis or Dr. Wynn can fit patients with this safe, comfortable and effective prescription-only device and help patients with scheduling and managing its use. For more information about the NTI System, or to schedule a consultation, please feel free to call and talk to any of our staff at (813) 932-3940.

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