Dental CE Course: A Comprehensive Look at TMD 2

This course provides “must have” information and experiential learning for anyone treating TMD patients using all types of splint therapy. All experience levels are welcome and will benefit. Even if you think you have some understanding in this area of dentistry, this course will take your understanding and skills to the next level.

From experts Dr. John Droter and Dr. Ed Zebovitz you will learn: Understanding the TM Joint

• What to do when there is not a comfortable/stable Centric relation position.
• Speccific diagnosis/Specific treatment
• How to diagnose the most common diseases of the TMJ and how to treat each one.
• More MRI and CT scan interpretations.


While working with a partner in the Clinic, you will learn from Dr. Herb Blumenthal: The Relationship of the Muscles of the Stomatognathic System to Occlusal Harmony and Disharmony

•Identifying the muscular components of the Stomatognathic System that has a direct effect on Occlusion and the direct effect of occlusion harmony/disharmony on the muscular system
•How to track the progress of the patient during treatment
• The roll of the Agnoist and Antagonist muscle relationship to occlusal harmony/disharmony
•How to work with an anterior deprogrammer to facilitate making an initial
 diagnosis and how to use the Anterior Deprogrammer to check for the effectiveness of your splint design
•How to determine when outside help is needed and how to communicate with other professionals
•Working with your partner in the clinic to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the muscle examination and how it relates to splint design and adjustments

From Dr. Glenn Kidder you will learn: The many indications for splints and equilibration in everyday dentistry
• More difficult equilibration cases
• Upper or lower splints -- you decide
• How to explain the need for treatment in TMD, splint, and equilibration cases
• Why many orthodontic retainers create long term problems and not to avoid these problems


From Dr. Ernie Anderson you will learn: Considerations for the Restorative process for TMD patients

• Examination and Diagnosis of the TMD patient with Restorative needs
• How to sequence the treatment in TMD patients with Restorative needs
• Evaluation of occlusal Vertical Dimension-When to change it and when to
leave it as is
• Cases that you will work-up in the Laboratory

From Mary Osborne, R.D.H., you will learn:

•How to manage the relatinship with pain patients with respect and compassion
•How to to take patients from awareness to action
•How to communicate with patients and team about TMD in a way that is clear and understandable
•How to guide patients through the complex process of splints, equilibration and restoration
From Kathy Johnson you will learn:

•Recognize distal postural adaptations and how they contribute to
stomatognathic dysfunction
•Identify breathing discord and why it matters to dentists
•Appreciate the importance of optimal sphenoid position in the functioning of
the temporal/mandibular/cervical chain
•Discover some keys to unlocking the pain and dysfunction in your own body