Foundations of GNM Physiologic Occlusion

• Are you achieving consistent predictable occlusal results — or still chasing the bite?
• Do you truly understand why some restorations fail?
• Are you relying on your K7 or EMG to find the bite — rather than your own trained clinical eye?
• Have you sensed something is missing from your occlusal training but couldn’t name exactly what?
• Are you ready to practice dentistry at a level most clinicians never reach?

If any of these resonate, Level 1 is exactly where your OC journey begins.

A Challenge for Every Clinician Who Has Ever Questioned Their Own Bite

You have been practicing dentistry for years. You are skilled, experienced, and genuinely committed to your patients. And yet — there are moments at the chair that still give you pause. The bite that never quite settles. The patient who keeps coming back with discomfort you cannot explain. The restoration that looked perfect on the model but created problems in the mouth. The TMD case you referred out because you did not know where to begin.

“What do you clinically not want to know?”

• Are you confident your bite registration represents a truly physiologic position — or just the most repeatable one?
• Can you explain to your patient exactly why their bite is causing their symptoms?
• Do you know the difference between true physiologic rest and a habituated compromised position?
• When a restoration fails — do you know exactly why?
• Do you know what is missing from your occlusal thinking — or do you just sense that something is?

If any of these give you pause — you have just identified exactly why Level 1 exists.

“Without a proper bite registration and diagnosis, occlusal treatment is doomed to fail.”

Experienced clinicians who attend consistently say the same thing: “This is not a beginner course. This changed everything.” Whether you are brand new to occlusion or have been practicing for 20+ years — Level 1 delivers something no other course does: Dr. Chan’s complete GNM thinking process, an integrated physiologically-grounded framework, and the clinical answers that every other occlusal training leaves unresolved.

If you have already invested in some of the most respected occlusal and restorative training programs in dentistry — and still sense something is missing — you are not alone. The most common feedback OC receives from highly trained, experienced clinicians is this: “I did not know what I did not know — until Level 1.” This is not a review. This is a revelation.

• Standard NM training teaches you to lower the EMGs and trust the TENS — but TENS alone does not determine a physiologic bite registration.
• GNM changes how you think, how you see, and what you observe in your patients.
• Most dentists miss underlying musculoskeletal issues that affect the occlusion — they treat the teeth but not the cause.
• GNM integrates gnathologic principles with neuromuscular science — and goes beyond what classical NM training ever addressed.
• Level 1 teaches you Dr. Chan’s proven Optimized Bite protocol — the only protocol of its kind in the world.

GNM is not a technique. It is a thinking process.

• The 10 Fundamental Physiologic Principles that govern every bite — apply them Monday morning
• Hands-on bite registration using J5 Dental TENS — verbal commands, clinical observation, cast relationships
• When to change vertical dimension — and when not to
• How to identify the correct trajectory — even in non-reducing disc cases

GNM integrates gnathologic principles with neuromuscular science — and goes beyond what classical NM training ever addressed. This is where your clinical thinking changes permanently.

• How to recognize postural problems that go unrecognized in comprehensive treatment planning
• How to identify musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms — and which patients pose a risk to instability
• The rationale of GNM technique vs. classical NM and mechanical bite registration approaches
• How to use the J5 Dental TENS to achieve true physiologic muscle relaxation
• How to capture a physiologic bite relationship using Dr. Chan’s proven protocols — hands-on practicum with Dr. Chan and team of mentors
• How to relate upper and lower dental casts in a physiologically optimal position before starting orthotic therapy
• Introduction to the modified Fox Plane Technique for maxillary cast mounting — explored in depth in Level 6
• When to change vertical dimension — and when not to
• How to communicate value to your patients with clarity and confidence

Participants are encouraged to bring crown and bridge quality model casts of their own mouth for the bite registration practicum.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Present the principles of GNM — Gneuromuscular Dentistry — and apply the methodology for diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning
• Identify the postural relationships of the head, neck, and mandible to cranial alignment and explain their clinical significance
• Establish an occlusion that allows optimal function of the temporomandibular joints and the neuromuscular system with relaxed muscles
• Recognize the importance of resting and functioning modes of muscles and their role in jaw joint health and dysfunction
• Apply Ultra Low Frequency J5 TENS optimally to achieve true physiologic muscle relaxation
• Capture an Optimized Bite without dependency on EMGs alone
• Integrate esthetics and function to achieve the best bite relationship for the patient — craniomandibular facial enhancement
• Identify musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms and explain their influence on occlusal dentistry
• Address collapsed bites and deficient vertical dimension problems clinically
• Apply force and balance factors as they relate to GNM occlusion principles
• Perform evaluation, analysis, and diagnosis from mounted casts
• Recognize and manage bruxism, clenching, and avoidance patterns
• Introduce and apply orthotic stabilization therapy principles in clinical practice

Every complex case you have ever struggled with. Every patient you could not fully resolve. Every restoration that failed for reasons you could not explain. Every bite you accepted because it was repeatable — not because you knew it was right.

Level 1 does not just teach you a new technique. It gives you a completely new way of thinking about occlusion. The bite is either right — or it is not. After Level 1 you will always know the difference.

“Amazing paradigm shift.” · “The connection between the optimal bite and how it affects the rest of the body is what impressed me. This is the real occlusion.” · “I now realize the optimized bite not only gives you stability intra-orally, but also stability physiologically.” · “Every part of this course was definitely an eye opener.” · “The small course setting allowed for much more open discourse.” · “I wish I had taken this course early on. This must be made part of every dental school curriculum. Dr. Chan is an exceptional teacher!” — Comments from Level 1 course attendees

Occlusion Connections Inc — Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. 9/1/2026 to 8/31/2032. Provider ID# 349336.

Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. — Founder, Director, and Teacher, Occlusion Connections — The Center for Gneuromuscular Dentistry and Orthopedic Advancement.

When taking OC’s Masterclass training, you can be assured you are taught the most current and clinically relevant techniques — based on sound science, substantiated protocols, and proven clinical application. Dr. Chan’s GNM teachings have afforded dentists from around the world the ability to implement clinical occlusal techniques that achieve outstanding results in real-world dental practices.

Dr. Chan’s pioneering role in Gneuromuscular Dentistry begins at Level 1 — where he personally demonstrates the fine nuances of jaw movement, mandibular positioning, and physiologic bite registration that no other course in the world teaches. As the originator and developer of GNM, Dr. Chan brings a completely new clinical thinking process to every dentist who attends — bridging gnathologic and neuromuscular science into one integrated, proven framework. More about Dr. Chan →