Following over 50 years of study and listening to experts, I want to share with you why good growth and good functioning of the mouth is so important. Let me explain why the Mouth is the Mirror of your Life. Good jaws mean a better neck alignment and a better airway and less snoring and … Read more
Why Do We Have a Problem? The apparent epidemic of OSA which is occurring in all industrialized countries should not come as a surprise. Many in the sleep community routinely cite the increase in obesity rates over the last three to four decades as the cause of this epidemic. 1-7 There is no question that obesity … Read more
Abstract The development of the dental drill was one of the most significant innovations in dentistry, occurring in the late 1800’s; 150 years later, it is still our “go-to” instrument for most procedures, whether for removal of decay, endodontic instrumentation or surgical extraction. We have witnessed these machines being powered in many different ways, as … Read more
Many people experience a deep fear of sitting in the dental chair even though dentistry can significantly improve their health. By understanding a few key basics about the nervous system (and how fear, pain, and anxiety work in the body), you can help minimize pain, shut down fear responses, and decrease inflammation. This understanding can … Read more
Throughout history, successful treatment of a health condition has often preceded an understanding of what caused the problem. This is surely true of malocclusion. A malocclusion of any significance is not a disease but it does represent a failure of development. Understandably, the great majority of effort by the dental profession is directed towards treating … Read more
What is functional dentistry and why is it worth talking about? I am curious if this is a movement or new direction in dentistry. Here are my thoughts. Functional medicine and dentistry are using your detective skills and sleuthing out underlying root causes and abnormalities that have lead to a patient’s complaints or symptoms and … Read more
Before you were born, there were countless forces shaping your growth and development. You had your own set of prenatal conditions and a unique path to birth before your very first taste of oxygen. This inaugural breath was then shaped by primitive reflexes, breast feeding (or lack thereof), oral tethered tissues, oral habits, oral nasal … Read more
The search for the cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by mainstream medicine has followed a profound predilection for autoimmune conjecture, in spite of the absence of evidence for any “mechanism by which the immune system is tricked into seeing myelin as foreign in MS patients,” said Dr. Bruce Trapp of the Cleveland Clinic. He continues, … Read more
They say a lady always knows when it’s time to leave and so it is with mixed emotions I tell you that I am retiring from the dental group and Newcom Media as of March 29th, 2018. I’ve only worked for the two largest publishing companies in Canada (many, many owners) since 1986, a feat … Read more
Clinical Problem A 63-year-old female visited the dental clinic at the Jewish General Hospital with chief complaints of jaw pain, bilateral clicking, limited mouth opening, had migraine of 8 years duration, feeling fatigued and unrefreshed in the morning. The patient complains of TMD pain symptoms that began two years ago, involving both sides of the … Read more
What we don’t know we believe That is the difference between a decision that is based on knowledge and evidence, and one that is not. We like to believe that all our decisions are evidence-based when in reality they most likely are not. The material being presented in lectures and in the literature which affect … Read more
Jordan Soll If you look up the word experience in the dictionary it says “see Mistakes.” Janice Goodman My dad gave me the best advice I’ve ever received the day I graduated in Dentistry. The most valuable asset you will ever have is your reputation. He was right of course. Les Rykiss … Read more
Malocclusion (HM) is a rising public health epidemic that is seen mainly within industrialized/industrializing cultures. To date, there is no published evidence that malocclusion had ever been a significantly observed human trait prior to the Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America during late 18th/early to mid/late 19th-Centuries; its relatively recent appearance as a common … Read more
There is an Airway Centric paradigm shift in dentistry. We are excited that this edition of Oral Health is being devoted to Airway Health and Airway in Dentistry. The term AirwayCentric® was created to give healthcare practitioners and consumers and new way of looking at dentistry and healthcare. We invite you to be part of … Read more
As parents, we absolutely want what is best for our children in every way. Many parents are well aware of the specific milestones that our children should reach during the first 18-months of life, however, there are several important growth and development factors that must be evaluated in each child during the first decade of … Read more
Ten years ago, I took a weeklong survival class in the SE Utah high desert with my son. No food, water, tent, sleeping bag or phone, just you, your clothes, a knife and a compass. There were two guides and twelve of us. They trained us in the art and science of survival for the … Read more
The future of dentistry involves evaluation of the patient providing collaborative optimal care alongside other healthcare practitioners. The increased interest and involvement with sleep, pain and airway requires the dentist to view their patient with new and expanded vision and thinking. The successful treatment of patients with sleep, TMD, and chronic pain will be based … Read more
Bullet points: 1. Definition-orthopedic/functional breathing 2. Comorbidity of orthopedic and facial pain and breathing 3. Answers to our questions 4. Method or technique-paradigm shift 5. Integrating myofunctional techniques This article defines “Airway Centered Dentistry”, explains the mechanism of chronic face/jaw pain and dysfunction, reviews the technique and triage systems that have been successful in the … Read more
Dentists have become involved in the treatment of sleep apnea for several reasons. An oral appliance is usually less uncomfortable than sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, so dentists offer a welcome alternative for CPAP intolerant patients. Also, the growth and development of the jaw and palate control airway function, therefore; dentists … Read more
This article is not about the “how” of airway orthodontics. It’s about the “why”. But it does suggest that a regard for the rationale of airway orthodontics will spur a change in the way we do things in orthodontics altogether. For years, the orthodontic profession has polarized around many issues: genetic vs environmental etiology of … Read more