Dental Education – Overview

A Place for Learning • Growth • Hands-On Training • Guidance

**“Begin your GNM journey: Level 1 & 2 Occlusion and TMD training at OC.”**

Next MASTERCLASS COURSE with Dr. Clayton A. Chan

OCCLUSION is the Clinical Application of both Gnathic+NM Understanding. “GNM is not a repackaging of existing ideas—it is a distinct clinical philosophy, pioneered by Dr. Chan, that integrates gnathic structure, neuromuscular function, and objective diagnostics into a reproducible, physiologic model of care.”

Foundational keys, principles, guidelines and techniques are clearly presented so the dentist can immediately apply them into their clinical practice to see the results and difference. GNM occlusion is about knowing the rules of bio-physiology and applying them correctly.

Dentists are wondering what is the difference between NM verses GNM teachings at OC?

Because of their experience and understanding dentist wonder whether OC’s Level 1 Advanced Principles to Physiologic Occlusion course is to elementary for them?

Postural Balance in GNM Occlusion – Postural balance is achieved when the cranium, mandible, cervical spine, and shoulder girdle musculature maintain coordinated, balanced tonus—both during functional activity and at rest. This neuromuscular harmony is foundational to systemic health and optimal occlusion.

Clinical Outcomes of GNM OC Teachings – When dentists understand and apply GNM Occlusion principles, the following dysfunctions can be addressed at their root:

Bruxism (Grinding): Resolved through gneuromuscular (GNM) reprogramming and occlusal harmony.
Clenching: Alleviated by restoring proprioceptive balance and reducing sympathetic overdrive.
Parafunctional Habits: Diminished as the system returns to a state of rest and stability.
Displaced TMJ Disc: May be reduced and stabilized through GNM optimization protocols that promote joint decompression, restore coordinated muscular function, and reestablish balanced cranio-mandibular dynamics.
Cervical/Neck Dysfunction: Improved through cranio-cervical alignment, reducing aberrant CNS signaling.

By restoring postural and occlusal balance, we lower maladaptive central nervous system input calming the brain—unlocking a cascade of healing across musculoskeletal and autonomic and parasympathetic domains.

Clinicians who have been involved with neuromuscular dentistry concepts, electromyography (EMG), computerized mandibular scanning (CMS – jaw tracking), electrosonography (ESG) and low frequency dental ultra low frequency (ULF TENS) technology discover, based on science, research and objective measured awareness that their diagnostic understanding of the data collected did not completely making sense. Based on their NM knowledge and understanding they eventually realize there was something missing in their clinical experience, but didn’t know what it was.

When Technology Alone Isn’t Enough – Many clinicians have used technology for years, yet still encountered cases they couldn’t fully resolve. These unresolved outcomes often led to rationalizations—questioning their understanding of occlusion, the adequacy of their TMD protocols, their interpretation of the data, or even their application of the technology itself.

But clinical reality tells a different story – When faced with complex TMD pain patients, it became clear that their underlying occlusal philosophy lacked the depth and precision required for true resolution. This is precisely where GNM Occlusion steps in—addressing the gaps, reframing the data through a “gneuromuscular” GNM lens, and offering diagnostic and therapeutic clarity that finally makes sense.

“GNM doesn’t just enhance the use of technology—it transforms the clinician’s thinking, elevating clinical outcomes from symptomatic relief to systemic resolution.”

CLINICAL ANSWERS

Why do EMGS of the temporalis anterior muscles or cervical group muscles goes up after TENSing when in fact they were taught the dental TENS “relaxes” muscles? If TENS relaxes muscles why didn’t the EMGs go down after TENSing? This is a question that the NM dentists have not adequately addressed or have purposely ignored. Why didn’t the cervical group EMGs go down after TENSing? What does the NM clinician do when these EMG patterns do not go down?

ORTHOPEDICS VERTICALIZATION

NON-SURGICAL OSSEOUS REGENERATION WITH GNM

OC GNM teachings begins to answer the following with effective techniques, methods and protocols that are critical for all advanced clinicians to learn and understand. Without this knowledge the NM K7 J5 understanding will be DEFICIENT.

How does the NM dentists reduce an entrapped TMJ disc without invasive procedures?
If the patient has cervical dysfunction and records hyper EMGs in those regions when using the K7, how does the NM dentist systematically make these cervical group (CGL/CGR) EMGS goes down?
How does the NM K7 dentist prove and confirm that their myo-trajectory using Scan 4/5 is the correct and optimized myo-trajectory?
How does the NM K7 dentist determine the correct physiologic vertical dimension with the anterior open bite case?

Diagnosis is key if one desires to “Optimized Bite”. Learning how to Optimized the Bite with J5 Dental TENS is the foundational key to GNM.

Without a proper bite registration the Phase 1 Orthotic or Phase 2 restorative occlusion will be off and will not be stable. Without proper micro-occlusal management understanding of the GNM rules and protocols the high proprioceptive TMD patient and challenging occlusal restorative patients will fail and NM success of the patient will fall short of physiologic stability and clinical success.

It is these foundational OC GNM teachings, principles, techniques, methods and protocols that are presented in Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 Masterclass courses with Dr. Chan begin one’s GNM journey in advancing the clinicians NM understanding.

One’s appreciation of the finer details and nuances of occlusal management is now taking shape based on a different paradigm, meaning and understanding. – This is the meaning of OCCLUSION CONNECTIONS™.

“We are fanatical about gathering and understanding objective measured data. Without it we cannot make effective changes to improve our results.”

OUR FOCUS: A Philosophy of Life – Physiologic Rest

5 KEY PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOLOGIC OCCLUSION

OC is the most advanced gneuromuscular dental training program in the world. Its training focuses on the “clinical” dentist who desires to advanced his/her clinical management skills, knowledge and understanding in occlusion with the emphasis of three (3) key disciplines: TMD, restorative/prosthetics and orthodontic/orthopedics.

A THREE PRONG APPROACH TO MASTERING GNM DENTISTRY

OCCLUSION
RESTORATIVE
ORTHO/ORTHOPEDICS
G+NM
OC believes in a very specific order of principles and sequence of events because the order of emphasis will lead to the resolving the technical puzzle that one is trying to solve. Read More>
Relating GNM Occlusal Treatment to a Diagnostic Craniomandibular Classification
A MEASURED APPROACH – Predictability and Reliability
Which Occlusal Plane Do You Understand – Don’t Be Confused

8 Key Building Block Master Track Training courses + 3 Orthodontic/Orthopedic courses which are foundational to the development of a skilled and well able clinician in acquiring a complete understanding of GNM (gneuromuscular) dentistry and concepts. This is what will make you a 1%er in dentistry.

WHAT DOES OC TEACH? Read More>

Small group size classes are specifically held with Dr. Clayton Chan in a personal manner allowing open interactive discussion amongst peers for optimal learning. Learning begins with an open heart, a desire to discover, learn, support and guide one another in an atmosphere free of anxiety and fears.

CLINICAL TIPS
CONTINUING EDUCATION: OC Residency MASTER CLASS Training

OC SUMMIT GATHERING – A Celebration Gathering of Like-mind Clinicians
OC 10th Anniversary Summit 2018 – Dreams and Vision – A Road Map to Legacy

What is GNM? The Difference Between GNM Dentistry and NM Dentistry

OC STUDY CLUB – Collegial Learning, Discussion and Support

At OC the clinician are given opportunity to test and prove the knowledge, clinical skills and technical abilities at three levels:

OC FELLOWSHIP AWARD – Phase 1 Orthopedic stabilization protocols showing proficiency by submitting clinical cases per OC’s protocols and standards along with passing a written examination based on Levels 1-4 course curriculum.

OC MASTERSHIP AWARD – Phase II restorative protocols and occlusal management knowledge and proficiency is tested based on Levels 1-7 course curriculum with emphasis in the written examination on Levels 5, 6 and 7 teachings. Clinical cases are documented and presented according the OC’s standards of comprehensive documentation and patient effectiveness responses to treatment.

OC DIPLOMATE AWARD – This is the highest recognition amongst the OC clincians who have demonstrated their proficiency, skills, knowledge and ability in treating orthodontic/orthopedic verticalization cases. Written examination will cover all Levels 1-7 with a focused emphasis on Ortho 1, 2 and 3 course curriculum.

These prestigious OC recognition awards are a means to distinguish our highly elite, trained and dedicated clinicians who personify Occlusion Connections values, mission and goals.

Click to Read More on: OC Alumni Benefits

Who are the GNM Dentists?

6170 W. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89146, United States

Telephone: (702) 271-2950

www.occlusionconnections.com

Leader in Gneuromuscular and Neuromuscular Dentistry