For many years, at the Dawson Academy, we have taught the fundamentals of dental occlusion, starting with stable joints seated in Centric Relation.

It is critical that we understand temporomandibular joint anatomy, jaw function and dysfunction, the importance of disc position, muscle coordination and harmony of the joints, muscles and occlusion. One of the puzzling questions through the years has been, “Exactly why do people brux, report sore muscles, A.M. headaches, and chronic fatigue? Is it primarily due to malocclusions, as we once believed?” Through years of study it has become apparent that this is a complex, multifactorial subject. More recently, research has revealed that the most common reason for bruxism is due to oxygen desaturation and low pH in the esophagus… signs associated with breathing disordered sleep(UARS, Sleep Apnea) & Gastric Reflux. This requires expertise of both TMD and Airway, Breathing & Sleep Disorders, because they are very closely connected.
In this course we will learn how to evaluate, diagnose and understand various treatment options for classic TMD, as well as the added consideration of Airway.