WHAT’S INVOLVED?

This full two-day course uses evidence-based science to help eliminate the myths that prevent us from confidently and comfortably helping patients. We will examine the theories of occlusion and restorative therapy and critically evaluate the reality of occlusion’s role in joint therapy and pain control.

This is the ONLY occlusion course you will EVER need to take!

MANY OF THOSE TEACHING OCCLUSION ARE LEARY OF THAT STATEMENT. WHY? Because throughout the years the concept of occlusion — using empirically derived anecdotal evidence — has been made complicated. Rules that are indeed “hoops” through which we must jump to create “ideal occlusions” have been established. Time is spent on adjustable articulators equilibrating and tripping occlusions. And yet there are those with abominable occlusions that feel and function well; and others with more ideal occlusions in pain and with dysfunction. OCCLUSION MATTERS — but WHY and WHEN is important.

The course will provide the basic information to diagnose and effectively treat joint dysfunction and many oro-facial pain conditions. Although basic commonly used agents will be reviewed, this is NOT a course in pharmacology. Our goal is to learn to determine how disorders occur and why they remain persistent, thereby allowing us to treat more efficiently and readily within the scope of our general dental practices.

This is a basic course in practical TMJ anatomy and physiology and TMJ dysfunction and chronic pain issues. Diagnosis and treatment of these disorders emphasizing proper control of parafunction will be reviewed. Learning the myths of occlusion can be both enlightening and exciting. No longer will you be burdened by the myths. Imagine the sense of freedom associated with improved care with red recognition of the truth.

This information is essential to all practicing dentists and will be immediately helpful in your daily practice. Learn an exciting new protocol using parafunctional control. Explore the various potentially confusing occlusal therapeutic concepts. Review diagnostically driven therapy utilizing splint therapy and supportive therapy. Explore the dentist’s role in headache therapy.

We all have had patients complain about a tooth which is painful, but for which there is no evident dental or periodontal cause. We all have had patients who experience muscle pain after a procedure, or question why their joint clicks and ask what can be done about it.  And we all have been taught concepts about occlusion and dental “interferences” that sometimes seem logical – and sometimes do not. Often these concepts cause us to treat patients in ways that make “sense” to us – in the face of evidence that does not provide the clarity that we have been taught to believe it would provide. This course will look closely at that evidence – and the truth about the key role of occlusion will be revealed.  This revelation is not only exciting, but also eye-opening, and, most importantly, potentially helpful with EVERY patient we treat.

This course will review orofacial pain and neuropathic pain concepts, including the role of the well-advised dentist in the treatment of headache and neck pain. Understanding that it is nonsensical to call “migraine” a symptom of “TMD,” we will explore the incredible way a dentist can play a major role not only in migraine pain, but also all orofacial pain patterns in a real and practical way. To help attendees diagnose and treat pain patterns that don’t seem to have obvious peripheral causes, the course will focus on the important distinction between site specific acute pain patterns and chronic pain patterns. We will look at anatomy and physiology and then joint dysfunction — learn how things “get that way” and “why they stay that way,” and then proceed to understand realistic approaches to help patient with joint pain and joint dysfunction!

APPLIANCE DESIGN:

• WHEN TO USE AN APPLIANCE?

• WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE APPLIANCE (AND NO — IT IS NOT TO POSITION THE CONDYLE TO RECAPTURE THE DISK!!)

• HOW TO EVALUATE THE SUCCESS OF THE APPLIANCE 

• WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF APPLIANCE USE?

• WHY ARE NIGHT GUARDS OFTEN NOT WORN — AND WHAT IS THE MECHANISM OF THE APPLIANCE OF CHOICE?

THIS IS A COURSE IN REALITY—PRACTICAL AND EVIDENCE BASED

Designed to take the Confusion out of this Critical Subject Matter for the General Dentist!

LEARN

• When occlusion matters – and more importantly; when it doesn’t!

• Why we NEVER diagnose “TMD” and how to use more specific diagnostically driven therapy.

• Design of occlusal night guards – when to make them – and more importantly, when not to!
  What is the most common cause of non-compliance of night guards and how to avoid that problem.

• Why occlusal night guards can cause headaches and joint pain!

• Practical anatomy and physiology of the joints and muscles – and why they matter!

• Headache and migraine pathophysiology and treatment that can truly change your patient’s lives!

• The myths of dentistry that never really made any sense anyway!

• Why do some patients with cross bites and other malocclusions present with pain and others don’t.

• That Travel’s concepts of interferences causing lateral pterygoid spasms have been debunked and replaced with a more reliable model. Learn the “Adaptive Theory Model” and begin to apply the concepts immediately.

• What causes those nasty clicks; and what to do and when we need to do it!

• What joint position should be considered when contemplating major dentistry – you’ll be surprised!

• Practice management concepts that could change your life and help you enjoy dentistry even more!

• To diagnose and understand chronic pain patterns – so that dental pain without a clear cause is more readily understood and treated and not blamed on the “pathologic articulating paper dot”!.

BONUS SECTION:

What is “occlusal dysestheisa”? Why is it so destructive? How should it be identified and treated?

The best way to deal with your “occlusal neurotics” and understand how they got that way.
How to deal with patients who just don’t have a “comfortable bite.” Hint; the answer will NOT lie in an occlusal adjustment!