What Makes OC Dentists Different

Leaders in INNOVATION and Advanced OCCLUSAL Management Techniques

A OC dentist have a core understanding of the NM principles with the addition of the Gnathology.

There are a number of factors that distinguishes the OC trained GNM dentist within the neuromuscular (NM) dental community of clinicians. Here are a few factors that have distinguished the OC dentists:

Extensive and In-depth K7 training – learning the meaning of scans, effective directions to patients, evaluating results as to the clinical implications so that I can understand what I’m seeing, how it relates to both current status and help me formulate a plan for treatment as well as monitor results. Training goes beyond an intro course on which buttons to push and keeps us continually thinking about the cased rather than just documenting.

Active OC Forum – ability to post questions, cases and information for other similarly trained doctors to learn from, comment on and promote further questions and research in an effort to understand the modalities that can improve patient health. Open environment for exchanging information.

Rationale of Diagnosis – Our rationale on diagnosis does not depend on lower EMG’s, but on proper jaw tracking and proper execution of the “Optimized bite” protocols to physiologically relate the mandible to the maxilla in 6 dimensions. It is based on this assessment and determination that harmony can be properly established between the occlusion, muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joints. Optimal function and body posture can also be achieved.

Optimized Bite Techniques and Protocols – the advanced techniques in acquiring a proper mandibular position accurately and precisely is significantly different and profound. Our focus on function as well as position is a hugely difference compared to most NM teachings. Using both low frequency TENS and the K7 beyond classical K7 instrumentation techniques has opened new doors for the OC dentists. These techniques are reported by the GNM trained dentists who now recognize these teachings have helped decreased previous TM joint challenges and also help speed up resolution timing of their cases when faced with the challenging TMD and occlusal problems. Many other NM dentist may have an idea of the “Chan Scan”, but are not be able to properly execute the Optimized bite with the OC GNM understanding.

Orthotic Design and Construction – The principles of GNM occlusion addresss the more complex dysfunctions based on the 4 major category of TMD dysfunctions: 1) cervical 2) primary TMJ, 3) ClassII div 2, and 4) anterior open bites. The orthotic designs are based on these 4 major categories and not on one “orthosis” fits all treatment philosophy.

Adjustment Protocols and Anatomical Preservation – the principles behind the anatomy of the human dentition come alive through the application of sound gnathological micro occlusion principles. The many mandibular movements and positions with the chew cycle requires proper management and placement of centric stops to also address, retursive, lateral, protrusive, Class 4 contacts, adjustments to relieve phonetic issues. “The details of the bite make the difference for the patients who need to move their jaw and support swallowing, breathing and eating. It’s not just muscles, but teeth and the joints considered as well.”

A Shift Away from HIP – the OC training has recognized that maxillary occlusal plane orientation research and science supports a proper head posture as well as calm and health neck muscles dynamics. OC uses a modified fox plane technique to mount the maxillary cast to a physiologic orientation that matches the patients natural head posture at rest position. The GNM protocols and occlusal plane management system allows the dentist to more efficiently set up the case in coordination with the trained laboratory. Now, the dentist and the laboratory are working on the same page when mounting their casts and do not have to change mounting positions during full mouth reconstruction steps. The hamular notch and incisive papilla concepts at OC are not used, because OC teachings recognize a more effective and practical way to get a more esthetic result in waxing up the esthetic restorative case without having to alter the maxillary mountings. (The OC dentist is no longer confused about this matter).

Anterior Coupling – Key principles in occlusal management and design of all TMD, restorative and orthodontic must be recognized in order to resolve the more complex nueromuscular problems. Patients who have cervical dysfunction, TMJ primary problems, retrognathic maxillary and mandibular problems as well as anterior open bite problems have challenged many K7 neuromuscular trained dentists. OC has advanced occlusal guidelines and methodologies in help the dentist and their patients gain a more effective result than standard neuromuscular understanding. “Ignoring anterior guidance principles and claiming it’s not important” is an area we see very differently.

The OCCLUSION CONNECTIONS GNM teachings are different because our training involves concepts, techniques and principles which is less wrapped around how to do resin restorations, full reconstruction and cosmetic cases, drilling preps, seating crowns or veneers. Rather we focus more about understanding what we are faced clinically and how to correlate both symptoms and signs with collected data in an effort to alleviate TMD, headaches and muscle pain issues that effect our dentistry.

OC develops leaders and experts who are trained and experienced to achieve predictable results. The OC dentist has mastered how to bridge the gap between Gnathology and NM occlusal philosophies as it has been taught by Dr. Clayton A. Chan.

The difference is in the “G”.

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