NTI - How Dentistry Can Help Your Headaches

If you’re one of the 40 million Americans who suffer from migraine headaches, it’s possible that you may find some relief from your pain in the dental chair.

When stress and tension cause people to clench their jaws, the result can be severe pain in their head, neck and shoulders. Dentists have discovered that a small plastic device worn over the two front teeth can break the cycle of stress-induced jaw clenching.

The device is called an NTI-Tension Suppression System. The FDA has approved its use for the treatment of headaches. After your dentist fits the NTI to your teeth, you wear it at night to help reduce the intense muscle contractions of your scalp and jaw that can cause migraines and jaw pain.

Some studies have shown that patients who use the NTI have reduced the intensity of their jaw clenching by as much as 66 percent. These patients have also seen a significant decrease in the number and frequency of their headaches.