Open UP: A TMJ Discussion

Why do some people grind their teeth for years and barely have any pain, while others have severe TMJ pain without much tooth wear?

In this episode, Pamela and Mac talk about what may actually be going on when your jaw hurts. They get into bite, muscles, grinding, stress, headaches, and why two people with very different dental wear can have completely different symptoms.

They also share real patient stories involving headaches, jaw pain, grinding, stress, orthotics, and TENS and how looking at both the jaw and the person can change the way you approach treatment.

Plus, they talk about a bigger question in dentistry: are we looking at the teeth too much, or are we missing what’s happening with the jaws and airway?

No simple answers, just a real conversation about TMJ pain and why it can be so complicated.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/ZSfDhdrToqY?si=W7mWRiuKE5_-tNOT

What does menopause have to do with TMJ and sleep apnea? More than many women realize.

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Pamela and Mac explore the connection between menopause, TMD/TMJ pain, and sleep apnea and why symptoms in women can sometimes be overlooked or attributed to stress, hormones, or simply “getting older.”

They discuss why women, particularly during the menopausal years, may experience changes in sleep, jaw pain, headaches, clenching, and other symptoms that deserve a closer look.

They also talk about:

• The connection between TMD and sleep apnea

• Why sleep apnea isn't just a problem for overweight men

• How hormonal changes may intersect with sleep and pain

• Why women with headaches, jaw pain, or poor sleep may need more than a stress-related explanation

• The role of sleep studies, CT/CBCT imaging, and EMG testing

• Why looking at both the TMJ and airway can be important

• Differences in how men and women tend to seek care and advocate for their health

• Why comprehensive evaluation matters before assuming you know the cause of someone's symptoms

If you're a woman experiencing poor sleep, jaw pain, headaches, clenching, or changes around menopause, this conversation may give you some important questions to bring to your healthcare providers.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video:

What if the way you breathe every day is affecting your sleep, your jaw, your facial development and your overall health?

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban sits down with internationally recognized breathing expert Patrick McKeown, author of The Oxygen Advantage and a leading voice in Buteyko breathing.

Patrick explains why nasal breathing matters, how mouth breathing can affect sleep and craniofacial development, and why CO₂ is essential for getting oxygen to your tissues. They also discuss the connection between dysfunctional breathing, sleep apnea, anxiety, airway health, and dental problems.

You’ll learn:

    •    Why chronic mouth breathing can impact the teeth, jaw, airway, and sleep

    •    The surprising role of CO₂ in oxygen delivery

    •    Why “more breathing” doesn't necessarily mean more oxygen

    •    How nasal breathing can help regulate the nervous system

    •    The connection between breathing patterns and sleep apnea

    •    Why children are especially important to intervene with early

    •    How breathing re-education can complement dental and airway treatment

    •    Patrick’s approach to mouth taping and the development of Myotape

This conversation brings together breathing science, dentistry, sleep, and craniofacial development to answer one important question:

Are we overlooking breathing as a critical part of health?

🎙️ Watch the full episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion on Youtube.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/AvMYBBIgwIg?is=hDCfkG9aCFRvpZC9

Is jaw clicking normal? Can stress really cause TMJ? Will a night guard fix the problem? And why do some people with TMD never actually have jaw pain?

In this episode, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Mac break down some of the most common misconceptions about TMJ and TMD and explain why many patients go years without getting the right diagnosis.

They discuss why clicking and popping can be signs of dysfunction, why a night guard may protect your teeth without addressing the underlying problem, and why stress may be making symptoms worse without necessarily being the root cause.

They also talk about the many ways TMD can show up outside of the jaw, including headaches, migraines, dizziness, neck pain, and other symptoms that can send patients from doctor to doctor searching for answers.

The conversation goes deeper into what a properly functioning jaw should look like, how bite and muscle coordination can affect the joint, and why diagnosing TMD requires specialized knowledge and a thorough understanding of how the jaw functions.

If you've been told your TMJ symptoms are “just stress,” that clicking is “normal,” or that a night guard is all you need, this episode may change the way you look at your symptoms.

Dr. Marzban and Mac also discuss how to find clinicians with specialized training in TMD and preview their upcoming conversation about the connection between airway and TMJ.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/uk7l5FtQdZc?is=xyeQ0vAPPbSTk34S

When it comes to TMJ and TMD, many patients are told they need an MRI before they can understand what is happening inside their jaw joint. But does an MRI actually diagnose TMD?

In this episode, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Mac take a closer look at the role of imaging in TMJ diagnosis and why a scan should never replace a thorough clinical evaluation.

They discuss the difference between MRI and CT/CBCT, what each type of imaging can and cannot show, and why patient history, range of motion, muscle palpation, joint sounds, chewing, speech, and functional testing are essential pieces of the diagnostic process.

They also discuss a concerning example of a patient who underwent multiple invasive procedures and surgeries for TMJ problems, raising an important question: Are we sometimes treating the image instead of treating the patient?

Dr. Marzban and Mac explore joint compression, disc displacement, the body's ability to adapt, non-surgical approaches, and why understanding the underlying dysfunction may be more important than simply locating a displaced disc.

If you've been told you need an MRI, have been diagnosed with TMJ, or are considering injections or surgery, this episode will help you understand the questions you should be asking before moving forward.

Because imaging can provide information but diagnosis starts with the patient, not the scan.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/gMGCAbpb2HE

What if the behaviors we often associate with ADHD are sometimes connected to something happening while a child sleeps?

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Mac explore the important connection between airway health, sleep, breathing, and childhood behavior.

They discuss the story of Connor Deegan, a child who struggled with focus, behavior, and school challenges, only to discover that underlying airway issues were affecting his ability to breathe and sleep properly.

Dr. Marzban explains how factors such as jaw development, facial structure, nasal breathing, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and sleep-disordered breathing can impact a child’s overall function. They also discuss how tools like CBCT imaging, airway evaluations, sleep testing, and myofunctional therapy can help identify issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.

This conversation is not about replacing an ADHD diagnosis or claiming every child’s challenges are caused by airway problems. Instead, it’s about asking a bigger question:

Are we looking at the whole picture when it comes to a child’s health, sleep, and development?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• ​ How sleep and breathing issues can affect focus, mood, and behavior
• ​ Why airway health is an important piece of childhood development
• ​ The connection between jaw growth, facial structure, and breathing
• ​ Why objective testing matters when evaluating airway concerns
• ​ Why parents should feel empowered to ask more questions

Open Up: A TMJ Discussion explores the connection between jaw health, airway, sleep, and whole-body wellness through conversations designed to help patients better understand their health.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/hhG2ZpwKzKw?is=pk9cah4pyd63ZtA_

Why do two people with the same jaw problem have completely different experiences with pain?

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee explore one of the biggest mysteries in chronic pain: why some people with significant TMJ dysfunction have little or no discomfort, while others struggle with daily pain.

They discuss how pain is influenced by much more than the jaw itself, including the brain, nervous system, hormones, and individual pain sensitivity. You'll also learn why women are more likely to experience worsening TMJ symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, and why personalized treatment is essential because no two patients experience pain the same way.

Whether you've been living with TMJ pain or you're simply curious about how the body processes pain, this episode offers insights into the many factors that influence what we feel and why.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/_uzJEZBf_Hg?is=YyYW-FMpja8WM8Qh

Is fibromyalgia really the diagnosis or could it be pointing to a bigger underlying issue?

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee explore the often-overlooked relationship between fibromyalgia and temporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ). They discuss why fibromyalgia is frequently considered a diagnosis of exclusion, how it shares symptoms with TMD, and why dysfunction in the jaw may contribute to pain throughout the body.

The conversation also examines why women are disproportionately affected by both conditions, particularly during hormonal changes, and why collaboration between medical and dental professionals is essential for patients with chronic pain.

Most importantly, they emphasize that while treating TMD may improve symptoms for some patients, it is not a replacement for medical evaluation or treatment for fibromyalgia. Instead, understanding the connection may help patients ask better questions and pursue more comprehensive care.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• ​Why fibromyalgia is often called a diagnosis of exclusion
• ​The surprising overlap between fibromyalgia and TMJ/TMD symptoms
• ​How jaw dysfunction may influence pain beyond the face
• ​Why some people experience severe pain while others with similar issues do not
• ​The importance of addressing the root cause rather than just treating symptom

Open Up: A TMJ Discussion explores the science behind TMJ disorders, airway health, and whole-body wellness through conversations designed to educate patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/Uc3sfssBw6A?is=zsVSmrsRHAh-u5yp

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee sit down with holistic dentist Dr. Sameera Meyer to discuss the often-overlooked impact of tongue ties and lip ties on infant health.

They reveal the warning signs parents should never ignore, including painful nursing, excessive gas, reflux-like symptoms, poor sleep, feeding difficulties, and constant crying. Dr. Meyer explains why tongue tie treatment is about much more than a simple procedure and why successful outcomes require a team approach involving lactation consultants, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other trained specialists.

You'll also learn:

✔️ How tongue ties affect breathing, sleep, feeding, and jaw development

✔️ Why many babies go undiagnosed

✔️ The biggest misconceptions about tongue tie releases

✔️ Why CO2 laser technology has become the standard of care

✔️ How early intervention may help prevent future airway, sleep, and developmental issues

If you're a parent, grandparent, healthcare provider, or anyone caring for infants, this episode may change the way you think about what's considered "normal" in a baby's development.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/r0W80HtwjpM?is=TYSKCMZk5kqCAin3

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban sits down with Mac for a powerful conversation about the connection between breathing, sleep, airway health, and overall wellness. Together, they explore how mouth breathing, nasal obstruction, jaw position, inflammation, and even anxiety can contribute to sleep issues and long-term health concerns.

Dr. Marzban explains why identifying the root cause of breathing problems matters, discusses alternatives to CPAP therapy, including oral appliances and sublingual immunotherapy, and shares why proper nasal breathing is essential for both children and adults.

Mac also reflects on aging, independence, and the importance of maintaining health and mobility throughout life. This episode highlights how oxygen, sleep quality, and airway health affect nearly every aspect of well-being.

If you’ve ever struggled with snoring, poor sleep, fatigue, mouth breathing, or sleep apnea or want to better understand the airway-health connection, this episode is for you.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr.  Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/UnK5GPOXeOM?si=5CYQ5UcFXEd-Qq50