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 focuses 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. 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 & Spear center and 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 PACE approved dental technology company that provides general dentists with the latest education on the connection between poor jaw alignment and other aliments like TMJ disorders and even sleep apnea.

Q: What do you consider to be your specialties?

A: The focus of my practice is cosmetic and complex restorative dentistry which has led to my nationally recognized Smile Makeovers by the American Academy of cosmetic Dentistry. The comprehensive approach to patient care 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 on TMJ/TMD treatments to patients and providers around the world.

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

A: a comprehensive approach in dentistry goes beyond fixing one or 2 teeth and takes into consideration the harmonious function of the entire masticatory system: muscles, joints and teeth . For example, I have a patient who suffers from TMJ disorders and 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, if her pain is caused by the misalignment of her bite. I can alleviate the bulk of the pain by relaxing the jaw muscles and supporting the the jaw in that relaxed position with custom made dental devices. Once relief of symptoms are achieved, we plan on a long term solution by correcting the bite either with orthodontic or restorative options.

The comprehensive 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 teeth which negatively effects the muscles and jaw alignment.

Q: Do you have a solution?

A: Yes. In my opinion the best solution is a comprehensive and non invasive approach. Some people have TMD caused by a bad bite, others cannot breath or swallow correctly due to chronic congestions and mouth breathing which causes mal-occlusion. To have a good orthopedic balance in the jaw and the head and neck, 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 physiologic, functional and Neuromuscular treatment modalities.

Q: What is your mission with Myoaligner®?

A: Our mission is to empower dentists with training, knowledge and simple solutions so they can expand their treatment services and impact millions of lives.

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.