494: TMJ&Airway-Directed Orthodontics - Dr. Drew McDonald - a podcast by ACT Dental

TMJ & Airway-Directed Orthodontics

Episode #494 with Dr. Drew McDonald

As an orthodontist, it’s easy to just focus on moving teeth. But most of your ortho patients have underlying joint and airway issues — and they’ve had them before being in your chair! And to shift your thinking so you can recognize and treat these patients, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Drew McDonald to explain the connection between airway, joints, and teeth. Straightening teeth is the easy part! Take your practice to the next level by screening every patient for joint and airway disorders. To learn more, listen to Episode 494 of The Best Practices Show!

Episode Resources:

• Dr. McDonald’s website: https://www.mcdonaldortho.com
• Dr. McDonald’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drew.mcdonald.984
• Dr. McDonald’s social media: @drdrewmcdonald
• Email Kirk for Dr. McDonald’s Master Class: kirk@actdental.com 
• Subscribe to the Best Practices Show Podcast
• Join the To The Top Study Club
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• Write a Review on iTunes

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Spear Summit: https://content.speareducation.com/2022-summit

Chicago Study Club: https://chicagostudyclub.com

Main Takeaways:

Recognize joint and airway issues before starting on a case.

Most ortho patients have underlying joint or airway issues.

Don't focus on just the teeth or esthetics.

Help patients prevent relapse.

Screen every patient!

Quotes:

“Whenever it came time to apply to dental school . . . I didn't get in the first time. For any predental students listening . . . it’s competitive out there. And I know for anybody listening that's applying to school or applying to residency — if you want it, go after it. And if you don't get in the first time, do it again. Because ultimately, this profession gives back to you in so many ways.” (3:47—4:19)

“I was tired of not having an answer for something that was commonly coming up in my orthodontic practice as to why patients were relapsing. And what we stumbled upon, or what I feel I stumbled upon, was that most orthodontic patients are there because they’ve got a joint issue, an airway issue, a tongue issue, or minimal other things — it’s not just teeth. And we’ve got to get to the bottom of why that patient is in our chair to understand how we do treatment and how we keep it stable.” (8:07—8:35)

“Recognizing joint issues, airway issues before you get into the case helps you navigate those cases and be successful. And ultimately, you also change the lives of your patients. That's the biggest bit, is people come in with problems they don't even know about.” (8:43—8:58)

“In ortho school, we tend to cling to old research that...

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