People ask me what is the “magic” of the ALF, and is it all in the design? While the design does indeed need to match the patient’s individual needs, the material used is equally important. The body wire of the ALF is made of Elgiloy, a cobalt-based alloy; the blue Elgiloy often selected at the…
Read MoreThis video is an excellent resource to understand why we care so much to convert kids to nasal respiration!!
Read More“Get your Beauty Rest.” “Take 40 winks.” How much sleep should we get? Fortunately, the NSF (National Sleep Foundation) has posted its recommendations on how much sleep children need for healthy growth and development to occur. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/support/how-much-sleep-do-babies-and-kids-need
Read MoreTongue tie and the MTHFR mutation are the topic of many continuing education classes these days. Tongue tie (or ankyloglossia) is often associated with MTHFR genetic mutation. The condition of tongue tie is often accompanied by lip ties (labial ties), cheek ties (buccal ties), and sometimes with other midline defects. The genetic mutation of MTHFR…
Read More
Making a splint for a patient with a scissors bite follows the same principles as in most other cases. A scissors bite is also called a buccal cross bite, wherein the maxillary molar is more than halfway across the mandibular molar; the lingual (tongue-side) cusp of the upper molar is touching the buccal (cheek-side) surface…
Read More
First and foremost, many patients demonstrating symptoms of R TMCC patterning will NOT need dental intervention! But it is helpful to know how to recognize those who will. We hope this stepwise chart will aid in decision making. STEP 1: LOCATION OF SYMPTOMS FROM HISTORY Headache – almost always! Neck pain – possibly. Depends on…
Read More
The idea of wearing a lower bite splint is a challenge for patients with a significant gag reflex, particularly if their gag reflex is stimulated by anything touching the side of the tongue. The Gag Reflex (or pharyngeal reflex) is a hypersensitivity to anything touching the muscles involved with swallowing – the soft palate, the…
Read MoreMany patients who find their way to our practice will ultimately be recommended to have postural therapy in conjunction with traditional TMJ therapy. This video was created by Voices of America and gives a great overview of what Postural Restoration Institute concepts are all about!
Read More
A bite splint requires molar support, and particularly at the most distal tooth location. However, due to the shape of the upper and lower jaws’ relationship to one another, this is the portion of the bite splint that most frequently becomes thin and brittle, and thus, broken. Below is a case of fractured acrylic over…
Read More
Ideally the splint is designed to prevent failures from happening. But when they do, it is good to be able to understand how and why the failure occurred, and to know what to do about it. Splint repair and tips to prevent failure are helpful to predict and manage the occasional difficulties in splint therapy. Understanding…
Read More