Prior to visiting our clinic, the patient had undergone five years of orthodontic treatment abroad. Although her teeth appeared straight, the bite height was misaligned, which can lead to muscle overload and joint dysfunction.
We started the treatment by fabricating a custom myo-splint to relax the masticatory muscles. Then, we performed condylography to assess and determine the physiologically correct position of the lower jaw.
Based on these results, we created a composite protocol — a temporary prototype of the future ceramic restorations.
After confirming the shape and occlusal height, we placed thin-walled ceramic restorations on the posterior teeth.
As a result:
- The vertical dimension of occlusion was corrected
- The TMJ was repositioned into a stable and safe alignment
- All shoulder and scapular pain was completely resolved
This case clearly demonstrates how a comprehensive dental approach can eliminate not only local dental issues but also seemingly unrelated systemic symptoms.
