Evidence Based, Practical Management of Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction for the General Dentist
OCCLUSION AND PARAFUNCTIONAL CONTROL FOR EVERYDAY DENTISTRY
April 4-5, 2025
This is the course that can help you help identify so many of your patients that will benefit from your new found knowledge of the truth about bruxism, pain, and occlusion.
Hilton DoubleTree
Melbourne Beach Oceanfront Hotel
Finally!
The Truth about Occlusion:
When & How It Matters
Finally, the TRUTH that will remove the confusion and allow you to comfortably and confidently help so many of your patients. This course will simplify occlusion simply by exposing the myths land allow you to simplify even complex restorative cases.
Take the confusion out of TMD
Take the confusion out of OCCLUSION
End the Logic in the Absence of Science that Dominates the Occlusal Camps
For many years dentistry has been dominated by prevailing occlusal concepts that were initially presented in the 60’s by Ramjford and Ash. Despite the lack of evidence of the role of “interferences to centric” and “pterygoid spasms,” these concepts remain at the heart of the dental model and restorative teachings. The inevitable confusion has led to the development of occlusal “camps” dominated by belief system rather than principles of science.
The resulting controversy has prevented the integration of critical muscle and joint concepts into general dentistry. This program removes the controversy and exposes the myths. You and your patients will benefit immediately as the role of function and parafunction and the methods of parafunctional control are thoroughly explored. YOUR EVERY DAY DENTISTRY WILL BE IMPROVED; YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVELS WITH DEALING WITH PATIENTS WITH DENTAL AND FACIAL PAIN AS WELL AS “CLICKING” AND JOINT DYSFUNCTION WILL SOAR, AND THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS YOU CAN HELP WITH PAIN PATTERNS THAT YOU WILL NOW RECOGNIZE WILL MULTIPLY. YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF OCCLUSION IN EVERYDAY DENTISTRY WILL MAKE DAILY DENTISTRY EASIER AND TRULY MORE ENJOYABLE.
This will be the last occlusion course you will ever need to take!
Course fees
NOVEMBER 15-16, 2024
Early Bird $1,595.00 (Original Price $1,795.00)
Note: Course fees include full breakfast and lunch Friday and Saturday as well as access to all relevant literature and relevant office forms. In addition there will be a pre course Zoom meeting announced, pre course literature distributed, and a post course Zoom meeting for follow up questions and case reports.
(I have noted that two-day courses that tend to emphasize restorative concepts— which frankly are inappropriate — are approximately twice this fee. Our goal is to make this critically important education reasonably priced and affordable.)
Course fees
APRIL 4-5, 2025
DR. JEFFREY CLIFTON ON THE TWO DAY COURSE - AS WELL AS THE YEARLONG PROGRAM
Dr. Ric Charmoy, who has been using the concepts learned at our seminars for years, gives an honest, heart felt comment about the value of this course.
Hi Barry,
I attended the TMJ class back in September. I just wanted to let you know that I have seen an immediate positive impact in my practice since the course, both financially and in my confidence treating these cases.
Finally I understand what is going on with my patients that have bruxism and can help them appropriately. I also appreciate you being available for questions.
Thanks again,
Richard Mancuso D.M.D.
The ONLY occlusion course you will EVER need!
What’s covered?
WHAT’S INVOLVED?
This full two-day course uses evidence-based science to help eliminate the myths that prevent us from confidently and comfortably helping patients. We will examine the theories of occlusion and restorative therapy and critically evaluate the reality of occlusion’s role in joint therapy and pain control.
This is the ONLY occlusion course you will EVER need to take!
MANY OF THOSE TEACHING OCCLUSION ARE LEARY OF THAT STATEMENT. WHY? Because throughout the years the concept of occlusion — using empirically derived anecdotal evidence — has been made complicated. Rules that are indeed “hoops” through which we must jump to create “ideal occlusions” have been established. Time is spent on adjustable articulators equilibrating and tripping occlusions. And yet there are those with abominable occlusions that feel and function well; and others with more ideal occlusions in pain and with dysfunction. OCCLUSION MATTERS — but WHY and WHEN is important.
The course will provide the basic information to diagnose and effectively treat joint dysfunction and many oro-facial pain conditions. Although basic commonly used agents will be reviewed, this is NOT a course in pharmacology. Our goal is to learn to determine how disorders occur and why they remain persistent, thereby allowing us to treat more efficiently and readily within the scope of our general dental practices.
This is a basic course in practical TMJ anatomy and physiology and TMJ dysfunction and chronic pain issues. Diagnosis and treatment of these disorders emphasizing proper control of parafunction will be reviewed. Learning the myths of occlusion can be both enlightening and exciting. No longer will you be burdened by the myths. Imagine the sense of freedom associated with improved care with red recognition of the truth.
This information is essential to all practicing dentists and will be immediately helpful in your daily practice. Learn an exciting new protocol using parafunctional control. Explore the various potentially confusing occlusal therapeutic concepts. Review diagnostically driven therapy utilizing splint therapy and supportive therapy. Explore the dentist’s role in headache therapy.
We all have had patients complain about a tooth which is painful, but for which there is no evident dental or periodontal cause. We all have had patients who experience muscle pain after a procedure, or question why their joint clicks and ask what can be done about it. And we all have been taught concepts about occlusion and dental “interferences” that sometimes seem logical – and sometimes do not. Often these concepts cause us to treat patients in ways that make “sense” to us – in the face of evidence that does not provide the clarity that we have been taught to believe it would provide. This course will look closely at that evidence – and the truth about the key role of occlusion will be revealed. This revelation is not only exciting, but also eye-opening, and, most importantly, potentially helpful with EVERY patient we treat.
This course will review orofacial pain and neuropathic pain concepts, including the role of the well-advised dentist in the treatment of headache and neck pain. Understanding that it is nonsensical to call “migraine” a symptom of “TMD,” we will explore the incredible way a dentist can play a major role not only in migraine pain, but also all orofacial pain patterns in a real and practical way. To help attendees diagnose and treat pain patterns that don’t seem to have obvious peripheral causes, the course will focus on the important distinction between site specific acute pain patterns and chronic pain patterns. We will look at anatomy and physiology and then joint dysfunction — learn how things “get that way” and “why they stay that way,” and then proceed to understand realistic approaches to help patient with joint pain and joint dysfunction!
APPLIANCE DESIGN:
WHEN TO USE AN APPLIANCE?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE APPLIANCE (AND NO — IT IS NOT TO POSITION THE CONDYLE TO RECAPTURE THE DISK!!)
HOW TO EVALUATE THE SUCCESS OF THE APPLIANCE
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF APPLIANCE USE?
WHY ARE NIGHT GUARDS OFTEN NOT WORN — AND WHAT IS THE MECHANISM OF THE APPLIANCE OF CHOICE?
THIS IS A COURSE IN REALITY—PRACTICAL AND EVIDENCE BASED
Designed to take the Confusion out of this Critical Subject Matter for the General Dentist!
LEARN
When occlusion matters – and more importantly; when it doesn’t!
Why we NEVER diagnose “TMD” and how to use more specific diagnostically driven therapy.
Design of occlusal night guards – when to make them – and more importantly, when not to!
What is the most common cause of non-compliance of night guards and how to avoid that problem.Why occlusal night guards can cause headaches and joint pain!
Practical anatomy and physiology of the joints and muscles – and why they matter!
Headache and migraine pathophysiology and treatment that can truly change your patient’s lives!
The myths of dentistry that never really made any sense anyway!
Why do some patients with cross bites and other malocclusions present with pain and others don’t.
That Travel’s concepts of interferences causing lateral pterygoid spasms have been debunked and replaced with a more reliable model. Learn the “Adaptive Theory Model” and begin to apply the concepts immediately.
What causes those nasty clicks; and what to do and when we need to do it!
What joint position should be considered when contemplating major dentistry – you’ll be surprised!
Practice management concepts that could change your life and help you enjoy dentistry even more!
To diagnose and understand chronic pain patterns – so that dental pain without a clear cause is more readily understood and treated and not blamed on the “pathologic articulating paper dot”!.
BONUS SECTION:
What is “occlusal dysestheisa”? Why is it so destructive? How should it be identified and treated?
The best way to deal with your “occlusal neurotics” and understand how they got that way.
How to deal with patients who just don’t have a “comfortable bite.” Hint; the answer will NOT lie in an occlusal adjustment!
Cancellation Policy: Refunds minus a two hundred dollar fee, can be requested up until two weeks before the first day of the course. Cancellations after that will result in a credit of the full fee for a future course.
There are 14 hours of CE credit (PACE/AGD) available with this course
Meet your instructors
Hotel information
Course feedback
Practical evidenced-based CE for General Dentists in Orofacial Pain, Joint Dysfunction, Headache, and Sleep Disorder
Safe academic atmosphere
Evidenced Based — Relevant literature provided
Small group learning for all type of learners
Myth busting in occlusion as well as our courses in sleep
Entertaining and Practical
-
“Barry provides a patient-centered, evidenced based approach to the proper diagnosis and treatment of Craniofacial Pain and Sleep Disorders.”
-
“Dr. Barry Glassman is a passionate and knowledgable educator who prides himself by ‘keeping it ‘real.’ His evidenced based programs provide exactly what you need to know to confidently implement the management of both orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine in your practice.”
-
“As an educator who teaches occlusion, it has taken me a lifetime to understand everything we have taught about occlusion has been based on a cookie cutter approach based on anecdotal observations.
The unintended consequence has been the creation of occlusal camps teaching concepts without any scientific rationale.
Correct diagnosis and treatment decisions demands a complete understanding of the medical model and this means unlearning many of these engrained myths.
Dr. Barry Glassman teaches honest evidenced based, global concepts that will provide you with the ability to see past these occlusion based fallacies and allow you to provide the best treatment for your patients.”
-
I have learned more about the mechanisms and treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing and TMJ disorders (TMD) from Barry than anyone else.
During the past 12 years, I have watched him bring his passion for science, people, medicine, and dentistry to the medico-dental community.
His seminal lectures have influenced and informed many of today’s respected opinion leaders and they’ve gone forth to exponentially share their own message with his experience as their foundation. He’s an unsung hero in the field.
Barry bucks conventional norms and marches to the beat of his own drum. This can be offputting to some but it is refreshing to most. His audiences get an unfiltered, unbiased, science-supported, and experience-bolstered rollercoaster ride through his time in private practice, in academia, and in life.
He is unapologetic and doesn’t adhere to slides or schedules. His emphasis is on imparting what he’s learned, read, and seen so that practitioners can make informed decisions regarding their patients’ care. Barry has always shared information freely, providing research references, slides, and insights. This has been done with glib commentary as he effortlessly crafts a narrative bringing you along to arrive at your own conclusion…always leaving a bit smarter and feeling a bit dumber for not figuring it out yourself. I’m a cynic, a skeptic, and an astute detector of charlatanism.
After hearing Dr. Glassman lecture many times about the way he practiced, about the connections he formed with patients, and the transformative impact he had on so many of their lives, I assumed hyperbole had run amok. Then, I spent a couple days at his office. I observed him practice everything he preached; uninterrupted focus on his patients to make them feel like the only people in the world, critical evaluations of their presentation, and a singular focus on their wellness. I was astounded and wildly impressed. His laugh is infectious. His experience is vast. His passion is unparalleled. I’m thankful to call Dr. Barry Glassman a mentor and friend.
An opportunity to learn from Barry at a course or in a sidebar conversation is one that should never be passed up.
Just a Sample of Important Questions Answered
When occlusion matters and HOW it matters.
How masticatory cycles work and how those effects what we've been taught about the role of teeth and "fencing" -- and functionally generated paths.
When should restorative therapy been considered for worn dentitions?
What "causes" bruxism ... Fascinating. (Hint... it’s not malocclusion)
In fact; what is the current definition of "bruxism" and how does that effect our thinking in terms of management. (It does!!!)
How to deal with that patient who is a bit of an "occlusal neurotic."
How to prevent occlusal neuroticism, -- (Even MORE important!)
How to deal with that patient whose chief complaints include: "My bite just isn't comfortable" -- Or..... "Doc... I have TWO bites!"
What does "Stable occlusion" even mean and what we should avoid in terms of "stability" concepts
How to deal with that patient who reports less efficient mastication after recent restorative therapy (Hint... no occlusal paper is involved in the treatment!)
Why we never ask our patients if they grind or clench their teeth!
How to manage that patient who reports "clicking" in the absence of pain -- and how that differs from the patient who has pain associated with the clicking.
How to diagnose and manage degenerative changes of the TMJ.
How to manage acute closed and open locks.
How to avoid "occlusion" as being a major post restorative issue.
How to treat that patient with sore joints or even sore neck upon wakening.
Does treating apnea really resolve all bruxism issues?
Certainly not one appliance design is appropriate for ALL situations. Learn why and how.
Muscle tension headaches really have nothing to do with sore muscles! WHAT? How can we help with the diagnosis of primary headache?
How is migraine diagnosed and how dentistry can possibly alter intensity and frequency of migraines -- without BOTOX injections! -- and while we are at it.. is BOTOX good for bruxism patients? If so. which ones, and when?
What common medications are best used for supportive therapy?
How to evaluate the report of dental pain in the absence of dental pathology/
How can we as dentists treat patients who have a strong emotional component involved with their pain pattern?
What steps can be taken in our first appointment procedure that can not only increase the likelihood of our helping the patient but makes our lives as health care practitioners dealing with difficult disorders less stressful.
WHAT ARE THE RED FLAGS THAT SUGGEST THAT THIS IS THE RARE CASE THAT THE STRAIGHTFORWARD SIMPLE APPROACH WE UTLIZE NEEDS TO BE PRECEEDED BY A MORE COMPLETE EVALUATION OR REFERRAL?
Syllabus for TMD, Occlusion & Parafunctional Control for the General Dentist
*Subject to Change
Day 1
7:00 – 8:00
Registration and Full Breakfast
8:00-12:00
The Empirical Nature of the “Science of Occlusion” in Dentistry
A Critical Evaluation of the Goals of Occlusion including Stability
The History of Occlusion in Dentistry:
How we got where we are
The Treacherous Path of Pain Management in Dentistry
The Stipulation of Occlusion:
Parafunction - Proposed Causes
Occlusal dysesthesia
The occlusal neurotic
How to check occlusion in restorative therapy --
12:00-13:00
Lunch
13:00-17:00
The importance and Techniques of History Taking
Classification of Disorders
Red Flags – Signs of Symptoms that Lead to Immediate Referral
Practical Anatomy and Physiology
Muscle Activity in Parafunction; Anterior Midpoint Stops
19:00
Light Dinner and Wine at Barry and Sharon’s Home
Day 2
07:00-08:00
Registration and Full Breakfast
08:00-12:00
Review Day One
The Clinical Examination including Ligament Insertion Palpations
The Truth about Muscle Palpation
Intracapsular Disorders – Case Presentation of Disk Displacement with Reduction’
Physiology and myths of Anterior Midpoint Stop Appliances
Diagnosis and treatment of ligament insertion injuries
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Reviewed and a new look at “TMD.”
12:00-13:00
Lunch
13:00-17:00
Review of the model of diagnosis and conservative diagnostic therapy
Migraine: Physiology, Diagnosis, and the Dental role in treatment
Pharmacology; Most common supportive agents
Case Presentations and Discussion
Degenerative Joint Disease
Referred Otalgia
Migraine
Cervicogenic Headache
Therapeutic Protocol of Anterior Midpoint Stop Appliance Therapy
Summary and Review
Note: A Course Follow up Zoom Meeting will be set up to review Pre-Test and answer any questions.