OC GNM Foundation Series · Level 4B

Orthotic Resurfacing

Managing the GNM Orthotic for the TMD Patient

Stop reprinting. Start resurfacing. A 2-Day Masterclass Didactic and Hands-On Training with Dr. Clayton A. Chan.

2-Day Hands-On Masterclass16 CE Credit HoursPrerequisites: Levels 1–4No Instrumentation Ownership RequiredAttendance Is LimitedDoctors & SpecialistsLas Vegas, Nevada

Course Information — AGD PACE

Course Title: Level 4B — Orthotic Resurfacing: Managing the GNM Orthotic for the TMD Patient
Course Description: “Clinical Management of the Removable GNM Orthotic”
Format: 2-day didactic and hands-on masterclass · 8:00am–5:00pm daily (lunch provided)
Teaching Method: Lecture and Participation
Prerequisite Courses: Levels 1–4
CE Credit Hours: 16
AGD Subject Code(s): 180/181 Myofascial Pain/Occlusion | 010 Basic Science/Physiology | 200 Orofacial Pain/Musculoskeletal Orofacial Pain | 184 Occlusal Adjustment/Therapy
Audience: General dentists and specialists
Tuition: $4,295 doctor
Dates: See upcoming dates on the Course Schedule →
Registration: Text/Call Jane, Office Administrator: (702) 271-2950 · jane@occlusionconnections.com
Read the cancellation policy →

The patient is in the chair, the orthotic is in, and the symptoms aren’t fully resolving. Do you add? Subtract? Send it back to the lab?

Stop reprinting. Start resurfacing.

This is the chairside decision that separates the GNM clinician from the technician.

Level 4B completes the Foundation Series — no instrumentation of your own is needed to attend. The work is chairside acrylic management on models and orthotics; K7 data is used in class to verify the trajectory. More on this question →

Keys to Occlusal Management of the GNM Orthotic

This intensive 2-day didactic and hands-on course addresses one of the most common and frustrating challenges in GNM practice — the orthotic that is not fully resolving the patient’s TMD symptoms. Rather than reprinting, the GNM-trained clinician must develop the chairside skills to identify, adjust and optimize the existing orthotic to meet the patient’s changing clinical needs.

“Reprinting an orthotic is not the answer. The scanner and printer cannot determine when, where or how to add or subtract from the occlusal surface to meet the patient’s physiologic requirements. That clinical judgment requires a trained GNM mind.”

Participants learn simple, reproducible protocols for managing occlusal schemes and cranio-mandibular jaw position at chairside — knowing precisely when to add and when to subtract from the orthotic surface to restore optimal temporomandibular joint stability, masticatory muscle balance and patient comfort.

Doctors who have completed this course consistently report it as one of the most immediately applicable programs in the OC curriculum.

Two dentists working side by side under loupes, resurfacing GNM orthotics at the bench during an Occlusion Connections Level 4B hands-on course — The skill is built at the bench — orthotic in hand.

Topics of Interest

Where to add and how to add
How to manage the bite and occlusion
How to take an optimal bite and transfer it to resurface the orthotic
How to close vertical dimension on an optimal myo-trajectory
How to reduce the disc following emergency GNM techniques and protocols when the initial bite and orthotic just are not good enough

A time to refine your comprehension, practical skills and mastery of form for optimal mandibular function of the Phase I GNM orthotic.

What Doctors Need to Bring

All attendees are asked to bring upper and lower cast models of their mouth ready poured and trimmed for review.

1) Bring your orthotic that was fabricated from Levels 1-4 course. Bring existing orthotic that you presently are wearing.

2) If you don’t have an orthotic (alternative):

Have lab fabricate a 1.5 mm bio-acryl vacuum/pressure form splint molded over your lower model cast. This bio-acryl splint/base or existing orthotic will be used for occlusal resurface and modification procedures.

Evaluation, methods, protocols and tips will be provided along with discussion to enhance this hands-on learning experience.

Course Objectives

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

Manage and resurface the occlusal anatomy of a GNM removable orthotic for a crossbite occlusal relationship
Manage and resurface the occlusal anatomy of a GNM removable orthotic for an end-to-end bite occlusal relationship
Manage and resurface the occlusal anatomy of a GNM removable orthotic for a Class II Division 2 occlusal relationship
Manage and resurface the occlusal anatomy of a GNM removable orthotic for an anterior open bite occlusal relationship
Manage and resurface the occlusal anatomy of a GNM removable orthotic for a Class I dental occlusal relationship
Apply chairside orthotic resurfacing protocols through hands-on demonstration and participation
Develop clinical confidence in managing complex orthotic occlusal adjustments through direct Q&A and case discussions with Dr. Chan

A clear lower anatomical GNM orthotic held in a gloved hand, showing the acrylic occlusal surface ready for chairside resurfacing — The orthotic you already delivered

Over-the-shoulder instruction at an Occlusion Connections Level 4B course as a dentist resurfaces a GNM orthotic under loupes — Over-the-shoulder instruction

What You Will Learn

When to add, where to add and how to add to the orthotic
How to use K7 to determine whether the orthotic is on or off the myo-trajectory
How to identify a correct trajectory with an orthotic bite that was questionable
How to take a more optimal bite and transfer it to resurface the orthotic
Resurfacing the orthotic back onto an optimal myo-trajectory
A review of the basics in posterior occlusal anatomy
Understanding the occlusal landmarks in the resurfacing of the acrylic
How to create the occlusal morphology when it was all in globbed acrylic
How to resurface back to proper anatomical form and function
How to manage the patient’s mandible during TENS to recapture the deficient posterior VDO
How to manage the bite — and more
How to reduce the disc when the initial bite is not good enough

“When the orthotic isn’t working — know what to do chairside.”

What Doctors Say About Level 4B

“Clear direction and technique for doing both small as well as extensive orthotic resurfacing will be a real help with my practice. Dr. Chan’s knowledge and ability to take a complex concept, simplify it and make it relevant to our practices is unparalleled. What I learned from this participation course was exactly what the course description stated. Well done! Clayton always delivers. I always leave with new knowledge and enthusiasm to implement what I learned.”Dr. Bradley Hester · Bend, OR · OC Levels 1–8, Ortho 1–3

“Thank you Dr. Chan for your time and valuable teachings. This course truly is a must attend to all OC doctors in my opinion. It beautifully linked all levels and there were so many valuable tips and solutions for the clinical challenges presented after the delivery process and for challenges down the road.”Dr. Maha Karar · Orland Park, IL · OC Levels 1–8

“This course really taught us the fine points of GNM at a level far beyond what I thought could be done. I picked up countless words of wisdom that give me more confidence than ever in treating TMD patients. I kept saying, following one tip after the other, ‘Just that tip was worth coming to this course.’ Thank you Clayton, for teaching us in a masterful way and being so humble, kind and patient with us.”Dr. Keith Lorio · Baton Rouge, LA · OC Levels 1–8, Ortho 1–2

“Wow, what a great class we had! You never stop surprising me and every time you give us a few pearls that are worth the entire trip. Two days with jam-packed knowledge and words of wisdom. May you continue to teach and elevate all of us at OC so we can be better clinicians.”Dr. Sid Solomon · Los Angeles, CA · OC Levels 1–8, Ortho 1–2

“Thank you Dr. Chan again for your guidance and patience for teaching us the resurfacing course. The hands-on practice and the over-the-shoulder instruction was priceless. It was great to have such a great group of classmates to learn from.”Dr. Truong Nguyen · Bakersfield, CA · OC Levels 1–7

“It was great to learn when to add vs remove. Also I liked seeing how Clayton adds. This information is really the basic to orthotic therapy. I’d make this a level that is part of the basic curriculum instead of a one-off course. Adding is not as scary as I thought.”Dr. Rebecca Taylor · Edmonds, WA · OC Levels 1–6

“Lots of pearls that helped bring together information from the other courses and that I can apply when I get back to the office. Clayton is an expert and the cases he showed were great examples of what to do, when, and how to add and more efficiently carve the orthotic. This course was great for day-to-day things that we need to do — adding and resurfacing are not as daunting as I thought.”Dr. Derek Preble · American Fork, UT · OC Levels 1–4

“After day 1 and day 2 of learning how to address different problems with patients who are symptomatic, I was able to conclude why I had my own problems and was able to confidently troubleshoot my own orthotic. I truly feel that every one of us needs to learn from Dr. Chan about this course.”Dr. Elizabeth Tran · Santa Ana, CA · OC Levels 1–4, Ortho 1–2

The Occlusion Connections Level 4B course binder - Orthotic Resurfacing: GNM Orthotic Reline for the TMD Patient with Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. — The Level 4B course binder

Certificate of Achievement from Occlusion Connections for the Orthotic Resurfacing GNM Orthotic Reline course, 16 hours of AGD PACE continuing education credit — 16 hours of AGD PACE credit on completion

Dates & Tuition

Next course: August 26–27, 2026 (Wed–Thu)

Attendance is limited. Taught personally by Dr. Chan. Seats are confirmed by payment.

Tuition: $4,295 doctor

Location: Dental Implant Institute · 6170 W. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89146

See all upcoming course dates →

How to Register

Register with Jane (Office Administrator): Text/Call (702) 271-2950 · jane@occlusionconnections.com

Registration must be completed with Jane Chan and confirmed with payment. If cancellation is less than 30 days from the program date, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable. Read the cancellation policy →

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.

About Your Teacher

Dr. Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S., founder and director of Occlusion Connections — Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S.

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

Dr. Chan is widely recognized as one of the leading educators and innovators in the field of GNM — Gneuromuscular Dentistry. With over four decades of clinical experience, he has pioneered the Chan Optimized Bite™ protocol, advanced K7 scan interpretation methods, and the jaw-tracking CMS mindset that has redefined physiologic dentistry worldwide. More about Dr. Chan →

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