The goal of this lecture is to de-mythicize and create a practical understanding and approach to managing patients with jaw joint issues. Simplifying the diagnosis by means of a clear understanding of how the disease process in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) works and how muscles respond helps to provide a clearer path toward managing our patients. This course will present an easy-to-understand biomechanical model to understanding the issues that can occur and a practical approach to caring for our patients.

 Learning Objectives

1. Understand issues that occur in TMJs.
2. Understand how TMJ issues can affect muscles, airway and occlusion.
3. Learn a clear and logical protocol for diagnosing and managing these patients as well as criteria on when to refer and to whom to refer.
4. Understand how TMJ and airway issues can mimic each other

 Speaker Bio  

Edward Zebovitz, DDS, DABOM, has been a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery since 1996. He spends his time in private practice, lecturing nationally, and as executive director and founder of Surgeons for Smiles — a nonprofit organization that conducts international cleft surgery missions. To date, he has 55 cleft surgery missions under his belt. His private practice is limited to reconstruction of jaw and facial deformities, as well as understanding the relationship of temporomandibular disorders, facial esthetics, airway and occlusion.