Cranial Atlas and Vertebral Alignment With an Optimized Bite

How an Optimized Bite Changed an Atlas Alignment a NUCCA Chiropractor Could Not

Cranio-atlas vertebral alignment changes following GNM orthotic with optimized bite — female chronic pain patient case — Occlusion Connections, Las Vegas

Yesterday I delivered an orthotic to a female pain patient who was in pain for 5-6 years.  She had her teeth equilibrated by local dentist.  Other dentist evaluated her bite and couldn’t see anything wrong.  They all told her it was fine, but she became depressed knowing something was dramatically wrong.

Short story, prior to delivering the orthotic yesterday she went to see the NUCCA chiro with the Optimized Bite I gave her for the chiro to evaluate and radiographically compare.  He was amazed at what he saw!  He couldn’t believe that a bite could do this.  The above antero-posterior (AP) radiographs show the before treatment images 1 week earlier prior to any treatment.  An AP image was taken at a follow up visit with no GNM Optimized Bite registration followed immediately by an after image with the Optimized Bite at the same appointment yesterday.

A GNM orthotic was then delivered and a fine tuned occlusal adjustments were made following OC GNM occlusal adjustment protocols yesterday and it went well.  Patient, the following day reports how she can feel her cranial bones begin to change.  Her hip is no longer popping when wearing the Optimized GNM Orthotic   Now with the real orthotic and optimized Bite being worn 24/7 I am pretty sure this patient will have even further improved alignment as time progresses.

By the way, she had greatly improved head range of movement – flexion, extension improvement significantly when I balanced the retrusive contacts.  She made the comment immediately to bring this to my attention while we were adjusting her orthotic.

Myotronics K7 computerized mandibular scanning (jaw tracking , scan 4/5 with J5 Myomonitor TENS) instrumentation was used locate and identify the optimal physiologicmandibular and TM joint position relative to this patient’s habitual accommodated (CO) closure position.  Once an optimized myo-trajectory was determined to be 4.0 mm inferior of CO, 1.3 mm posterior of CO and 1.0 mm left of CO a bite registration material was used to record that optimized antero-posterior, vertical and frontal/lateral position (the Optimized Bite).

After the orthotic was fabricated and adjusted gnathologically to this optimized gneuromuscular position a follow up jaw tracking test was used to confirm that the new voluntary closure path (optimized myo-trajectory closing path) was no coincident with the physiologic (unstrained) optimized myo-trajectory mandibular closing path.  K7 data helps confirm the patients actual functional position was achieved with out forcing the patient.  Patient next day reports that she is doing very well!

It is definitely in the DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS of the occlusion that makes all the difference.  It’s the Optimized mandibular position with a finally adjusted bite that makes the cranial bones to level and align.

If the bite position is not properly addressed on the TMD paining patient these kind of results will not occur.  Note: One odd ball interference can no doubt disable a patient.  GNM works…but you have to follow the protocols!

This female patient’s case demonstrates how the bite affects upper cervical alignment when the mandibular position is properly established. For the complete OC clinical framework on coordinating GNM dental treatment with chiropractic, physical therapy, atlas adjustment, and osteopathic care — see the OC interprofessional coordination hub: Interprofessional Coordination for the TMD Patient — Why Complex TMD Requires Coordinated Care →.