Patient Education
Finding a Gneuromuscular (GNM) Dentist
Finding a GNM dentist starts here: every pin on the map is a dentist who trained at Occlusion Connections in Las Vegas —
and every pin opens that doctor’s page, listing the OC courses they have taken.
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Finding a GNM Dentist — Start with the Map
Click the map above to find a qualified GNM Dentist.
Each pin opens the doctor’s own page — contact information, and the complete list of OC courses that dentist has taken.
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Eight Questions to Ask
When choosing a dentist one should consider the following:
- By what TMD and occlusal philosophy does the dentist understand and practice? (bio-psychosocial vs. bio-physiologic).
- Does the dentist use measuring instrumentation to objectively determine a physiologic jaw position? (just because a dentist uses technology doesn’t always mean they understand the bio-physiologic principles of TMD and occlusion).
- How skilled and able is the dentist in managing the occlusion? (What courses and training have they taken to understand the importance of micro occlusion)? Details matter, especially if you can feel a human hair between your front teeth.
- Does the dentist understand and practice all three disciplines of: 1) TMD pain management, 2) restorative/prosthetics and 3) orthodontic/orthopedics? Some dentists mainly focus on TMD and restorative. Others have orthodontic and orthopedic understanding. The background and clinical experience in each of these areas will affect the way your case is presented and handled.
- Does the dentist believe in both gnathologic as well as neuromuscular principles? (just because a dentist says they have NM understanding doesn’t always mean they understand NM or practice it optimally — inquire what do they mean when using the terms “neuromuscular”).
- What is the dentist’s philosophy and method to which he/she stabilizes TMD pain problems and symptoms Phase I? (splints, anterior deprogramming appliances, upper or lower appliances, NM orthotics, GNM orthotics)?
- What is the philosophy and understanding of the dentist when the patient should consider moving forward with Phase II finishing therapy? (what specific approach and method will the dentist maintain your comfortable bite and transition your bite to a final finishing position? Will the dentist and lab change the position after you are stable and comfortable from Phase I therapy?).
- What type of courses, training and what levels of course has the dentist recently taken in Occlusion?
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Your Questions Are Your Protection
Realize not all dentists have the same knowledge, understanding, experience and skills. Choose a dentist who you feel comfortable with, trust and has the ability to diagnose and treat your particular problem.
Remember it is your responsibility to ask the questions and don’t assume dentists understand and know everything.
Disclosure:
It is the responsibility of each patient to ask the right questions in order to determine whether a dentist is qualified to meet your particular dental needs. Dentists have varying degrees of knowledge, experience, training and skills. Occlusion Connections is not responsible for the diagnostic and clinical decision making that each dentist makes when treating their patients.
The dentists listed on this map have taken varying levels of OC courses. It is your responsibility to determine if each one is qualified to treat and help meet your particular needs.
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