ICCMO’s Educational Goals
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of occlusion to enhance clinical predictability and restorative success.
- Learn evidence-based, scientific approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ and TMD.
- Stay current with the latest research and clinical advancements to optimize patient care.
- Share your expertise and experiences with peers—contribute meaningfully to the advancement of dental science.
These are not only the benefits but also the responsibilities of ICCMO membership.
Neuromuscular Occlusion: A Dynamic Approach
Every dentist, regardless of specialty, works with occlusion on a daily basis. Yet, many do so without a clear, functional concept guiding their approach. Traditional dental education focuses on static relationships—between cusps and fossae, and between the mandibular condyles and the temporomandibular joint fossae. However, occlusion is fundamentally a dynamic phenomenon. It involves not just the teeth and TMJs, but also the masticatory muscles, cervical spine, cervical musculature, and central nervous system.
This comprehensive perspective was pioneered in the 1970s by Dr. Bernard Jankelson, who introduced the term neuromuscular dental occlusion. His concept centers on achieving maximum intercuspation of the teeth in conjunction with relaxed, balanced masticatory muscles. Dr. Jankelson also developed the instrumentation necessary to relax these muscles and to record and analyze mandibular movement, muscle function, and TMJ joint sounds.
Neuromuscular principles apply broadly across dentistry—from complete dentures and full-mouth crown and bridge restorations, to orthodontics, periodontics, implant dentistry, and orthognathic surgery. Most notably, neuromuscular treatment has proven to be an effective and lasting solution for patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMD).