The way your jaw muscles function during your sleeping hours directly affects how often you experience migraines. Patients now have access to an effective dental treatment called the NTI (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition) device which helps them stop their chronic pain by directly addressing the underlying source of their discomfort.
The Jaw-Migraine Connection: The Trigeminal Nerve
To understand how a dental device can stop a migraine, we first have to look at the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve functions as the largest cranial nerve which delivers facial sensation while it controls the strong muscles needed for chewing.
When you clench or grind your teeth (a condition known as bruxism), these muscles—specifically the temporalis muscles on the sides of your head—contract with immense force. Clenchers who experience chronic clenching execute muscle contractions which exceed normal chewing strength by 20 times. The constant state of “hyperactivity” generates a continuous flow of stress signals which the trigeminal nerve receives. The overstimulation process develops into a chemical cascade which directly causes a migraine or a severe tension headache.
Signs your jaw might be the culprit include:
- Waking up with a dull ache in your temples.
- Popping or clicking sounds in your jaw joint (TMJ).
- Neck and shoulder tension that seems to move upward.
- Teeth that are sensitive, flattened, or worn down.
What is the NTI Dental Device?
The NTI-tss (Tension Suppression System) provides a better dental solution than conventional “night guards” which protect all teeth because it uses a small transparent device that custom-fits to cover only two front teeth. The device serves its main function through design which prevents back teeth contact during the entire duration of sleep.
The practice of covering only front teeth presents an unexpected approach but scientific evidence explains its effectiveness. Think about it: if you try to bite down hard on a pencil with your back molars, you can feel your temple muscles bulge with power. Now, try to bite down with only your front teeth. You will discover that your jaw muscles lack the ability to contract at the same level of power.
The NTI device achieves 70% reduction in your clenching strength because it prevents your back teeth from making contact with each other. The clenching reflex gets disabled through the system which enables the trigeminal nerve to enter a resting state while blocking any potential migraine triggers.
Why Not a Standard Night Guard?
People expect to learn that standard mouthguards which provide complete dental protection actually worsen migraine symptoms in some individuals. The guards create a flat surface which enables all teeth to rest but this design leads to increased jaw clenching because users treat the guards as “chew toys” for their jaw muscles.
The NTI device differs from other devices because it provides no biting surface which users can use to bite their back teeth. The brain needs contact to receive its “clamp down” signal which prevents muscle relaxation that standard guards fail to achieve.
The Benefits: Beyond Just Pain Relief
The NTI device is one of only a few dental appliances that is FDA-approved for the prevention of medically diagnosed migraines. Studies on the NTI device have revealed astounding results: 82% of migraine sufferers saw a 77% reduction in migraine attack frequency, as revealed by one FDA study.
Some of the key benefits of the NTI device include:
- Drug-Free Solution: For those who wish to steer clear of the unpleasant side effects of daily prescription medication, such as weight gain, brain fog, etc., the NTI device offers a pain-free alternative.
- Better Sleep: Not only can the NTI device help you sleep better, but you’ll also wake up without the “tension” you normally feel in the face and neck.
- Your Smile Will Stay Healthy: Not only can the NTI device stop migraines, but it can also keep your teeth healthy by preventing enamel wear and tooth fracture caused by grinding.
Is the NTI Device Right for You?
While the NTI device is a game changer for many people, it is not for everyone. It needs to be custom fit by a dentist that specializes in TMJ disorders or neuromuscular dentistry to make sure it is perfectly balanced so that it does not affect the way your teeth come together.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of constant headaches and feel as though your jaw is always “on edge,” it’s time to look past the medicine cabinet and into the dental chair. The NTI device is a small device that can bring a huge change to your life.
