By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyArticle Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com So what script do we need if we order an MRI on our patient? Now, it used to be, several years ago, that MRI was kind of the gold standard for us to look inside the joint. That is not the…

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson Academy There is no topic more confusing and more provoking than changing vertical dimension of occlusion. The reason is that every dentist has seen cases where it did not go very well, for the patient or the dentist. Broken crowns, chipped incisal edges, new TMJ issues,…

By: Will Kelly DMDArticle Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org My experience with splint therapy was like most dentists prior to developing the skills taught at Pankey. In fact, my appliance was not really therapy at all. Perhaps just a shot in the dark “helmet” that protected teeth against collisions with very little intention. Throughout the years…

A comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between all of these changesin the dental arch is essential to restorative dentistry. By: Dr. Roger Solow DDSArticle Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org Successful restorative dentistry now hinges on an understanding that physiological changes occur over a lifetime. It’s detrimental to treat the dynamic relationship between dental occlusion and…

By: Lee Ann Brady DMDArticle Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org Seated Condylar Position I know even the mention of the words centric relation probably has some readers bristling, as this is a much argued-over topic. With that said the research by Lundeen and Gibbs at the University of Florida shows that we do seat our condyles…

By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org Deprogramming of the lateral pterygoid muscle is generally done by placing something in the anterior that eliminates posterior occlusal contact. I have two “go-to” deprogrammers. One is a leaf gauge or what is often referred to as a Lucia jig, and the other is a little device…

By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org It can be an incredibly frustrating clinical situation when you have been meticulous about preparing a posterior tooth, (most commonly a molar) for a crown and things aren’t predictable. Using your burs you created depth cuts to ensure adequate occlusal clearance. After the impression you allow…

By: Dr. Bill Gregg DDSTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org During an occlusion-focused hygiene exam, there are certain things the hygienist should pinpoint. This will help them develop a deeper relationship with the patient as well. A Hygiene + Occlusion Exam What the hygienist should look for: The Hygienist Role in a Hygiene + Occlusion Exam…

By: Kevin Muench DMD, MAGDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.com I’m a restorative dentist with a passion for occlusion. I’m a firm believer that our patients deserve our best efforts to eliminate deleterious stomatognathic forces that impact comfort, function, smile aesthetics, and whole health. So, I encourage all dentists to wrap their minds around the area…