Sitting Down With Dr. Maryam Motlagh, Co-Founder and CEO of Myoaligner®

Dr. Maryam Motlagh

Dr. Maryam Motlagh is a general and cosmetic dentist who specializes in TMJ treatments at her Portland, OR based private practice, Aesthetic Smiles. After decades of treating patients with TMJ and related dental jaw alignment issues, Dr. Motlagh's research lead to Myoaligner® treatment protocols. Based on principles of physiologic & neuromuscular treatment modalities and a comprehensive approach to care, Myoaligner® focuses on relaxing the fatigued jaw and neck muscles using FDA cleared ULF- TENS on the masticatory muscles while maintaining that optimal physiology during function and chewing. Today, I got the chance to sit down with Dr. Maryam Motlagh and talk to her about her research and experience.

The Interview

Q: Tell me about your education, where did you study?

A: I have dedicated my professional life to helping patients improve their smiles and overall health with natural, non-surgical, & bio-remodeling techniques. I sought extensive training in post-doctorate institutes including Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry & Las Vegas Institute (LVI) to help patients alleviate the pain associated with poor bite alignment commonly known as TMJ.

As a Fellow of International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, my research has led to Myoaligner®, a company that helps other dentists realign the jaw non-surgically, alleviate TMJ related pain and positively impact patients' lives on a much larger scale.

Q: What do you consider to be your specialties?

A: I specialize in cosmetic and restorative dentistry which has led to my nationally recognized Smile Makeovers. The comprehensive approach is the driving force behind everything I do. I believe that beyond providing my patients with a beautiful smile I can also offer treatments that lead to better jaw alignment & improved facial profile. I am passionate about bringing awareness of TMJ/TMD treatments to patients and providers around the world.

Q: Could you explain what a holistic approach is? Why do you feel it is the best way treat patients?

A: The holistic approach treats the whole body when addressing a specific symptom. For example, I have a patient who suffers from TMJ. She experiences intense headaches and jaw clicking when she eats & talks. Instead of suggesting she take pain relief medications, I will determine the root cause of her pain. In this case, her pain is caused by the misalignment of her jaw. I can correct her jaw position and that will relieve her from the immediate symptoms she experiences as well as address other issues such as trouble breathing & sleeping, and enhance her facial profile.

The holistic approach can be utilized in many ways, but I have found it very beneficial in treating TMJ patients. People who suffer from common TMJ symptoms may not even know they have TMJ, which is why I believe education and awareness is critical for both patients and providers.

Q: Each year, more than 3 million people report symptoms of TMJ/TMD. Can you explain what TMJ/TMD is?

A: TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, so technically everybody has TMJ. People associate symptoms like jaw popping, muscle spasms in their face or pain when eating to be linked with TMJ. Actually the correct term is TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder. Usually TMD is caused by misalignment of the upper and lower jaw. It has to do with the orthopedics of the head and neck and is very common is modern society.

Q: Do you have a solution?

A: Yes. In my opinion the best solution is a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach because TMD can have different sources. Some people have TMD caused by a bad bite, others cannot breath or swallow correctly which causes mal-occlusion. To have a good orthopedic balance, the bones, muscles and teeth all need to work together in harmony. After years of treating patients suffering from TMD, I have put a multidiciplinary protocol together based on the principles of physiologic or Neuromuscular treatment modalities.

Q: Tell me more about Myoaligner®.

A: After learning and practicing a wide range of treatment approaches to TMD, I was looking for a non-invasive solution that could offer patients a balanced bite. After successfully, using Neuromuscular Anatomical Orthotics for over 20 years in my practice, I decided to improve on what I had learned which lead to development of Myoaligner® treatment protocols. Based on nearly 5 decades of existing science and research on physiologic dentistry and the favorable treatment outcome with the Anatomical Neuromuscular Orthotics, I decided to join forces with a group of dedicated professionals to Develop Myoaligner®. We have a portal for providers to get training and we impediment the latest dental manufacturing techniques like 3D Design and 3D fabrication to develop custom dental appliances with the accuracy of nearly 5 microns. I am humbled by the fact that the patent pending Segmented Removable Orthotic Design that I introduced to the field has revolutionized our treatment approach and has been praised by many leaders and educators in the field.

Q: What is your mission with Myoaligner®?

A: Our mission is to make this much needed treatment more affordable and accessible to patients, by educating more general dentists globally. I compare Myoaligner® to Invisalign® in the sense that by applying the latest advancements in dental 3D technology, Invisalign® made orthodontic treatment affordable and available in the majority of dental offices around the world. Our mission to do the same for TMJ treatment by helping general dentists implement Myoaligner® treatment protocols in their practice making treatment easy, effective and affordable to their patients.

Q: Can you give an example of how Myoaligner® products should be integrated into their overall dental care?

A:I use Myoaligner® appliances for what we call Phase I Orthotic treatments. So if someone has jaw discomfort and pain that might be associated with a bad bite, wearing a bite appliance makes it a non-invasive way for them to test drive the new bite and jaw position. Myoaligner® unique treatment protocols allow patients to chew and function with a new purposed bite before they go into procedures like orthodontics, restorative treatments or surgery to get there.

Similar to an orthotic in a shoe; you can have muscle spasms and back pain but if you place an orthotic in your shoe it will correct your alignment. Myoaligner® protocols allows us to achieve that in the mouth. Once we correct the alignment then we have a better plan before we start orthodontic or restorative treatment.

Q: How have you seen this appliance impact your patient's lives? Why should someone choose Myoaligner® over other dental appliances on the market?

A: It definitely has impacted my patient's lives. I have been using similar appliances for the past twenty years but never thought they were fully effective. They were made with clear acrylic and their were unsightly and bulky in the mouth. Myoaligner® appliances are tooth colored, invisible in the mouth and easy to chew with. I have seen a lot more compliance from patients which will effect the end results. Myoaligner® unique segmented appliances are smaller and more aesthetic than the clear appliances that cover the entire dental arch. Since they are aesthetic and functional, people can wear them all the time. So, just as a cast is effective for a broken leg, Myoaligner® lets us support the jaw in the correct position 24/7 which allows us to see much faster bio remodeling.

Q: What is your vision for Myoaligner® moving forward?

A: I hope to make TMD treatment more predictable and affordable for the general public. I know that so many people are affected by TMD worldwide and this is an area in my profession that needs more awareness. Many dentists graduate from dental school knowing nothing about TMD when 25% of the patients in their own practice suffer from it.

Similar to what Invisalign® did for dentistry- making dental appliances more affordable, providing non-invasive treatments for patients and training general practitioners to be able to offer this treatment- I hope Myoaligner® can do the same. There is a benefit to having orthodontists and general dentists trained on Myoaligner® protocols so we can provide our product to as many people as possible all over the world.

Keep in Touch with Myoaligner®!

Visit the Myoaligner® website to stay up to date on all the latest news and advancements happening with Myoaligner®!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and use the hashtag #myoaligner to bring us along on your Myoaligner® journey!

And of course, visit aesmiles.com to stay up to date on everything Dr. Maryam Motlagh is doing in Portland, OR.

Smiling: Does It Really Affect Your Mood?

Charles Darwin and The Facial Feedback Hypothesis

When you're feeling down, there is always that one person who asks you to smile or tries to get you to laugh. As annoying as it may be, the idea is actually a scientific phenomenon dating back to the 1800's when Charles Darwin took the stance that physical movement directly impacts your psychological state.

Essentially, Charles Darwin was suggesting that smiling will make you happier.

Hundreds of years later, scientists are still studying Darwin's case which eventually evolved into the "Facial Feedback Hypothesis" which states that facial gestures will in fact influence emotional experiences in social settings. People who smile will not immediately feel happier, rather people who smile will most likely have a happier experience than those who frown.

"Say AHHH!"- A Funny Experiment

In 1988, three scientists by the names of Fritz Strack, Leonard Martin, and Sabine Stepper conducted an experiment to further confirm the ideas behind the Facial Feedback Hypothesis. They asked a group of participants to perform tasks that would allow them to study the capabilities of people who can't use their hands. Obviously, this was just a cover story to deter the participants from knowing the true objective of the tests.

First the participants were split into groups:

Group A would hold a pen in their mouth with their teeth (which would force a smile).

Group B would hold a pen in their mouth with their lips (which would force a frown).

While holding the pens in their designated positions, both groups would watch a funny cartoon. Ultimately, Group A reported back with more amusement ratings than those in Group B, further confirming the concept of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis.

The Botox Experiment: Depression and Frowns

In the early 2000s, a team of researchers lead by Axel Wollmera and Tillmann Krugerb, based at the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Switzerland and the Department of Psychiatry, Medical School Hannover, Germany, expanded on concepts of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis.

They believed that by injecting Botox into the muscles most linked with frowning and low mood would relax those muscles, almost prohibiting people from performing these actions associated with low mood. As a result, the team did discover that Botox does have a major effect on depression, ultimately blocking the muscles from being exercised.

Why This Matters in Dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is heavily intended to provide patients with a way to enhance their physical appearance. Whether we recognize it or not, on of the first things we see when we meet someone new is their smile. If you are self-conscious about how your teeth look, you may be less apt to smile; which as the Facial Feedback Hypothesis proves, can negatively influence your overall mood.

Dr. Maryam Motlagh runs her private practice located in Portland, OR and specializes in Smile Makeovers intended to help her patients not only look better but ultimately feel better. If you live in the Portland area, give Aesthetic Smiles a call to schedule your next appointment!

Tooth Grinding and It's Affect on Aging Skin

What makes a beautiful face?

Symmetry, proportion and plump skin are the main prerequisites for a beautiful face. You might be blessed with good genes from good looking parents. However, your life style and the environmental factors can either enhance your beauty or destroy it. The bite plays an essential role in maintaining the balance and structure of the face. People who grind their teeth can end up with a collapsed looking face, short mid face, receded lower jaw, forward head posture and a lot more wrinkles compared to people who have nice tall teeth. Suzanne, the featured patient in this blog, was referred to Dr. Motlagh for a permanent solution to her chronic head & neck pain,TMJ pain, muscle spasm, tooth grinding and ongoing failing dentistry among many other debilitating symptoms. She was treated with our non surgical facelift procedure called YoungFace®.

Why do some people grind their teeth and other dont?

Contrary to common belief, tooth grinding is not due to stress but most often due to a functional and postural issue. Tooth grinding is the result of constant muscle spams in the face and neck. So why some people have facial spams and others don't? The answer is simple. The posturing muscles of the face that hold the lower jaw against the upper jaw can change in length depending on where the teeth mesh, "our bite"! A deep bite or an overbite usually throws off the muscle balance and gives the person's face an aged or over-closed look. Deep creases on the corners of the lips and above the chin are common signs of a deep bit. When muscles are in constant spasm, the person ends up grinding without the ability to control it, which in turn starts the domino effect of tooth wear, shortening of the face and appearance of the unwanted wrinkles. A bad bite, not only damages the teeth and breaks your expensive restorations, but also ages your face at a much faster rate.

Repositioning the jaw without surgery

Latest advancements in dentistry allows the trained practitioner to precisely measure the level of muscle spam in the major muscles of the face by performing Electromyography. As seen in the photo Dr. Maryam Motlagh treats the spasm in the muscles with the application of Ultra Low Frequency Electrical Neural Stimulation. Ulf -TENS is a comfortable procedure that relaxes all the facial muscles within one hour. When the muscles of the face relax, the lower jaw which is suspended by the muscles relaxes and lands to its ideal rest position also known as the "Physiologic Rest Position" among dentists. Once the headaches and facial tension are eliminated, the bite is corrected to permanently support this new relaxed position of the face.