cover feature
Rejuvenating
Patients and Practices
Photo by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
The founders of The Texas Center for Occlusal Studies (from left): Dr. Hal Stewart,
Daniel O’Rourke,CDT and Dr. Craig Herre with Kathy Stewart, Executive Director.
THE TEXAS CENTER FOR OCCLUSAL STUDIES
by Tina Cauller
ooth decay and periodontal disease have long been
considered the primary diseases that dentists treat.
With our aging population and people keeping their
teeth for their lifetime, a new disease has emerged.
Occlusal disease, or malocclusion, is extremely common in American society. Occlusal disease manifests itself in
many ways including, but not limited to, the following:
T
• Tooth wear (attrition)
• Tooth fracture
• Gum recession
• Bone loss
• Myofascial pain
• TMJ pain and dysfunction
6 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
As Dr. Hal Stewart points out, “While this disease is common
and affects the majority of people, there are very few dentists
who are equipped with the knowledge to effectively and predictably treat it. The art and science of addressing the entire
chewing system – the TMJ, the muscles, nerves, occlusion, and
teeth – is not really taught at the major postgraduate teaching
institutes or in dental school. Some of the common ways to
‘treat’ occlusal disease are all symptom relief related. Night
guards protect the teeth only at night when the patient is sleeping. Facial massage or botox just relaxes the muscles temporarily. Medications just alleviate symptoms for a short time.”
The Texas Center for Occlusal Studies in Flower Mound, Texas
was co-founded by Dr. Hal Stewart, Dr. Craig Herre and
Daniel O’Rourke, CDT. The Texas Center is a state-of-the-art