Are posterior tooth contacts really harmless?

Could group function and non-working side interferences be driving muscular TMD, headaches, and facial pain?

And can digital occlusal data change how we approach bite adjustment?

Dr. Jeremy Bliss joins the podcast to tackle one of the most controversial topics in dentistry: Selective Grinding/Equilibration for TMD but specifically Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR). With a strong focus on restorative technology, lasers, and T-Scan analysis, Jeremy brings a practical and experience-driven perspective to occlusion and bite therapy.

This episode breaks DTR down from the very beginning—what it is, how it differs from traditional equilibration, and why reducing posterior tooth contact during excursive movements may help certain susceptible patients. The conversation also explores canine guidance vs group function, macro vs micro occlusion, and where DTR fits within evidence-based dentistry when conservative care has failed.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Don’t buy advanced occlusal or motion-tracking tech unless your type of dentistry, training, lab support, and local backup can fully use the data—otherwise it’s just a Ferrari stuck in traffic.

Key Takeaways: Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) & T-Scan

Highlights:

Effectiveness of T-scan Technology in Identifying Occlusal Interferences and its Role in the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review

Individual Practice Contact: blissdental.co.uk – contact directly via the website form for information about DTR or patient referrals.

DTR Treatment for TMD with Dr Jaz Gulati in Richmond, London

#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #CareerDevelopment

To learn more about Disclusion Time Reduction, check out: Occlusograms are Lying To Us! Don’t Trust the ‘Heat Map’ – PDP247 

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes C

AGD Subject Code: 180 OCCLUSION

Aim: To understand the principles and clinical applications of digital occlusal analysis and Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) for managing occlusion-related muscular pain, TMD, and improving restorative dentistry outcomes.

Dentists will be able to:

When are antibiotics truly indicated in dentistry?

How do you manage the patient who’s begging for a prescription?

And what impact are we having on the gut every time we prescribe unnecessarily?

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Lenaerts joins Jaz to explore the world of antibiotics in dentistry. Together, they cover when to prescribe, when not to, and why analgesics or local measures are often the better option.

They also dive into the bigger picture—antibiotic resistance, gut health, and how to navigate those tricky conversations when patients demand antibiotics for the wrong reasons.

Protrusive Dental Pearl? Save time and avoid confusion with a ready-made Antibiotics Cheat Sheet that combines the best guidelines into one resource. It covers:

👉 Download it or find it in the Protrusive Vault if you’re a Protrusive Guidance member.

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

Updated SDCEP Guidance

For clinicians in the UK, Drug Prescribing for Dentistry is now available through the dedicated website SDCEP Dental Prescribing.

Please note that SDCEP no longer provides updates to the printed guidance, and the Dental Prescribing app is no longer supported or updated—it should be deleted from all devices. The SDCEP Dental Prescribing website is now the authoritative source for the most up-to-date information on prescribing in dental practice.

We are also providing the 2016 PDF version of Drug Prescribing for Dentistry for reference, but users should be aware that this document is no longer maintained and may not reflect the latest clinical guidance.

Download the 2016 PDF here.

If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll also find value in Prescribing Antifungals as a GDP – Diagnosis and Management (PDP151)

#PDPMainEpisodes #Communication #BreadandButterDentistry #CareerDevelopment

This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes C and D.

AGD Subject Code: 340 (Prescription medication management)

Aim: To enhance clinicians’ confidence in the rational prescribing of antibiotics in dentistry, with an understanding of when they are indicated, when they are not, and the broader impact on antimicrobial resistance and gut health.

Dentists will be able to –

Can adults really expand their maxilla?

Is treating sleep apnea with a CPAP or mandibular advancement device only MASKING the problem?

How does craniofacial anatomy influence airway health, and what should dentists look for?

Dr. Dave Singh joins us to dive into CranioFacial Sleep Medicine. He breaks down how structural issues—like a narrow maxilla, high-arched palate, or limited tongue space—can be root causes of sleep-disordered breathing, rather than just treating symptoms. 

The episode also touches on controversies in orthodontics and presents evidence supporting interventions once thought impossible in adults.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Obstructive Sleep Apnea is NOT just a “fat old man disease.” If you’re not screening every patient for sleep and airway issues, you’re missing a huge piece of their overall health. Snoring, bruxism, and craniofacial anatomy are all connected, and understanding these links can transform the way you approach patient care.

Key Takeaways:

Youtube Highlights:

✨ Don’t Miss Out: Practical, anatomy-based approaches to sleep and airway management for dentists and specialists

📅 Event: Introduction to Craniofacial Sleep Medicine

📍 Location: Marriott Hotel, London Heathrow

💷 Course Price: £2,495

🐦 Early Bird Registration: £1,996

🎟️ Discount Code: Use “earlybird20” at checkout

🌐 Learn More: Visit REMA Sleep for details on courses, devices, and craniofacial sleep medicine resources.

🚀 Try Protrusive AI aka AskJaz today: Explore clinical reasoning and educational support directly within the Protrusive Guidance App!

If you loved this episode, watch 5 Airway Patients In Your Dental Practice Right Now with Dr Liz Turner – PDP226

#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #BreadandButterDentistry

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcome C.

AGD Subject Code: 730 ORAL MEDICINE, ORAL DIAGNOSIS, ORAL PATHOLOGY (Sleep medicine)

Aim: To understand the craniofacial and dental considerations in managing sleep-disordered breathing, including the role of mandibular advancement, palatal expansion, and integrative dental approaches in sleep medicine.

Dentists will be able to –

Happy New Year, Protruserati ✨

As 2025 comes to a close, we wanted to pause and reflect by revisiting the moments that genuinely shaped how we practise, think, and show up in the clinic.

This Best of 2025 episode starts with restorative and aesthetics, moves through digital workflows, endo, paediatrics, surgery, communication, and finishes with what sustains us over a long career. These are the clips that made me pause, rethink, and quietly adjust how I work – and I hope they do the same for you.

Some of the ideas you’ll hear in this episode include:

AskJaz (JazAI) is built to solve a simple problem: knowing what to do next without digging through endless content. Need quick guidance on a tricky case? Not sure which cement to use? Need help with a lab prescription? AskJaz has you covered.😉

It provides 24/7 support, allowing you to ask questions at any time and receive clear, direct responses. You can even talk to Jaz in your own language, making the guidance easier to understand and apply—especially in fast-paced clinical situations.

AskJaz is available by upgrading to the Ultimate Clinical Education Plan, where it’s currently included. This gives you full access to AskJaz alongside premium masterclasses, CPD features, and advanced clinical resources inside the app.

If you join or upgrade on or before January 11, AskJaz is included with your Ultimate membership for as long as your account remains in good standing.

From January 12, a new Ultimate+ Plan will launch at a higher price—and that will be the only way new members can access AskJaz.

So if you’ve been thinking about upgrading or joining the app, this is a very good moment.

To every guest who sat down with me this year and shared their knowledge, their stories, their hard-won wisdom — thank you. You made us all better clinicians.

And to you — for listening, for questioning, for caring enough to keep learning even when you’re exhausted, even when the day’s been long, even when it feels like there’s always more to know.

You’re the reason this podcast exists. You’re the reason I keep doing this.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for showing up, year after year.

Here’s to 2026. Here’s to more conversations. Here’s to all of us getting just a little bit better.

Until next year, keep learning, keep caring, and keep doing the dentistry that makes you proud.

Do your patients really have two bites?

Does their bite change when they lie down? When they sleep?

And how can you explain centric relation, posture, and deprogramming in a way that patients actually understand?

Dr. Bobby Supple joins Jaz for a powerful episode unpacking one of the most misunderstood topics in occlusion: the daytime chewing bite versus the nighttime airway bite. After spending days with Bobby in his New Mexico clinic, Jaz saw firsthand how simply and elegantly Bobby communicates concepts that usually leave patients — and dentists — confused.

Together, they explore why bite discrepancies exist, what happens when the condyles fully seat, and how aligning Bite One and Bite Two over time can transform patient comfort and restorative outcomes.

Protrusive Dental Pearl 

Want more gems like this? AskJaz — your on-demand dental brain, will be soon baked right into the Protrusive App.

Key Takeaways:

Highlights of this episode:

🎓 Join the world’s leading organization dedicated to occlusion, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and restorative excellence — the American Equilibration Society (AES).

🗓️ AES Annual Meeting 2026 – “The Evolution of the Oral Physician”
  📍 February 18–19, 2026 · Chicago, Illinois

Papers & Literature: Dr. Bobby’s Top Picks

Evolving digital patterns

Introduction to force scanning

5 ways to use T-Scan

Digital Occlusion–From paper marks to digital force mapping

Discover Dr. Robert Kerstein’s guide to Measured Digital Occlusion and T-Scan technology. 

Dive deeper into occlusion with Dr. Bobby Supple on Occlusion Wars II: Beyond Teeth – PDP101

#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #BestofProtrusive

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes C

AGD Subject Code: 180 OCCLUSION

Aim: To enhance clinicians’ understanding of the “two bites” concept, the role of condylar position in occlusal health, the use of T-Scan in diagnosing occlusal force patterns, and the long-term prevention-based approach to managing occlusal stress, abfractions, and TMJ remodeling.

Dentists will be able to –

How do you balance a high-performance dental career with being an effective parent?

What strategies help you stay sane amidst the organized chaos of family life?

How can showing up as your best self benefit both your patients and your children?

Dr. Shandy Vijayan and Dr. Raabiha Maan join Jaz in this nonclinical episode to share their experiences of parenthood in dentistry. From the unique perspectives of two dentist-moms and the dad viewpoint, they discuss the real-life challenges of raising children while maintaining personal well-being.

They also share practical tips, book recommendations, and actionable strategies for self-care and emotional regulation—helping you create a balanced family life while thriving in your career.

During the episode, Jaz also mentions KARRI — a fun, screen-free voice messenger that helps kids stay safely connected with parents and friends, without social media or internet access.

Loved by kids. Trusted by parents. Get 50% off via: www.protrusive.co.uk/karri

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

Ready to take the next step?

Revive 2026 – A Wellness Event Like No Other (6 hours CPD)

🗓 Saturday 24th January 2026

📍 Leonardo Royal Hotel, St Paul’s, London

Revive 2026 is your invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect- a full-day experience designed for women in dentistry who are ready to start the year with purpose, calm, and clarity.

Loved this? Dive deeper into Parenthood and Dentistry – IC025 (Even If You’re Not a Parent!)

#InterferenceCast #BeyondDentistry #Communication

This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcome: B

AGD Subject Code: 770 SELF IMPROVEMENT

Aim: To explore strategies for managing work-life balance in dentistry, focusing on early parenthood, emotional regulation, and professional sustainability.

Dentists will be able to –

Thinking of moving to the USA as a dentist?

Wondering what exams, applications, and documents you’ll need to practice or specialize there?

Curious about how much it costs — and what life as a dentist in the States is really like?

Dr. Hazel Kerr and Dr. Dorrin Reyhani join Jaz for a deep dive into everything you need to know about moving to America as a dentist. Both UK-trained and now faculty at UPenn, they share their personal journeys and break down the full pathway — from exams like the INBDE and TOEFL, to transcripts, personal statements, and application timelines.

They also discuss what it’s like working in the US compared to the UK, including earning potential, patient culture, and training opportunities. Whether you want to complete an advanced standing program, pursue a specialty, or bring your skills back home, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to make it happen.

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll definitely be inspired by The American Dental Dream – PDP002.

#InterferenceCast #CareerDevelopment
This episode is not eligible for CPD/CE points, but never fear, there are hundreds of hours of CPD waiting for you on the Ultimate Education Plan.

You’re doing a routine exam when you spot it – a stained hairline crack snaking across the marginal ridge of a molar. Your patient hasn’t mentioned any symptoms… Yet.

Should you sound the alarm? Monitor and wait? Jump straight to treatment?

Cracked teeth are one of dentistry’s most misunderstood diagnoses. Colleagues debate whether to crown or monitor. And that crack you’re staring at? It could stay dormant for years—or spiral into an extraction by next month.

So what separates the teeth that crack catastrophically from those that quietly hold together?

In this episode, I am joined by final-year dental student Emma to crack the code (pun intended) on cracked tooth syndrome. 

We break down the easy-to-remember “position, force, time” framework to help you spot risk factors before disaster strikes, and share a real-world case of a 19-year-old bruxist whose molar was saved by smart occlusal thinking.

If you’ve ever felt uncertain about diagnosing, explaining, or managing cracked teeth, this episode will change how you think about every suspicious line you see.

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

00:00 Teaser

00:49 Intro

03:25 Emma’s Dental School Updates

07:18 What is Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS)?

10:02 Crack Progression and Severity

12:45 Risk Factors

14:54 Position–Force–Time Framework

21:53 Which Teeth Fracture Most Often?

25:32 Midroll

28:53 Which Teeth Fracture Most Often?

30:37 The Weakest Link Theory

34:05 Diagnostic Tools

37:56 Treatment Planning

39:42 Case Study – High Force Patient

47:27 Communication and Patient Management

51:03 Key Clinician Takeaways

53:03 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

53:42 Outro

Check out the AAE cracked teeth and root fracture guide for excellent visuals and classification details.

Literature review on cracked teeth – examines evidence around risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cracked teeth.

Want to learn more about cracked teeth? Have a listen to PDP028 and PDP098 – both packed with practical tips and case-based insights.

#BreadAndButterDentistry #PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints

This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credits via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode contributes to the following GDC development outcomes:

AGD Subject Code: 250 – Operative (Restorative) Dentistry

Aim: To help dental professionals understand the causes, diagnosis, and management of cracked teeth through a practical, evidence-based approach. It focuses on identifying risk factors using the Position–Force–Time framework and improving patient outcomes through informed communication and tailored treatment planning.

Dentists will be able to:

Are you confident in spotting a child at risk of neglect?

Do you know what to do if you witness abuse in your practice?

How can you raise concerns safely while protecting both the child and your team?

This episode with Dr. Christine Park provides tangible actions, practical scripts, and clear guidance for managing challenging scenarios—like seeing an adult hit a child in the waiting room or recognizing neglect in the dental chair. These are situations dental school rarely prepares us for.

Every practice needs clear protocols for safeguarding. This episode acts as a North Star, helping you stay compliant while ethically doing the right thing. If you treat children, you must listen to this episode and share it with every colleague who treats children.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Find the phone number of your local child safeguarding board / social services. Verify it, then display it where you and your team can quickly access it.

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

00:00 Teaser

00:59 Intro

02:40 Pearl – Child Protection Hotline

05:23 Dr. Christine Park’s Background and Expertise

08:37 The Role of Dentists in Safeguarding Children

11:19 Practical Scenarios and Guidelines for Safeguarding

15:35 Recognizing Silent Cases of Neglect

17:29 Team Collaboration and Support in Safeguarding

21:58 Guidelines and Policies for Effective Safeguarding

22:03 Midroll

25:24 Guidelines and Policies for Effective Safeguarding

28:32 Handling a Tough Safeguarding Scenario

32:18 Dealing with Poor Oral Hygiene and Neglect

39:12 Managing Parental Reactions and Consent

43:08 The Importance of Safeguarding in Dentistry

45:34 Further Guidance and Resources

46:10 Outro

📢 Safeguard your young patients with confidence!

Catch Dr. Christine Park at the Scottish Dental Show in June or via her NES webinars.

Check out the BSPD guidelines on dental neglect —an essential resource for any dentist treating children

✉️ Get in Touch with Dr. Christine:

If you loved this episode, don’t miss How to Manage Children in Dental Pain – Paediatric Emergencies – PDP159

#PDPMainEpisodes #Communication #CareerDevelopment

This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and D.

AGD Subject Code: 430 PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY (Identification and reporting of child abuse)

Aim: To equip dental professionals with practical knowledge and skills to recognize, respond to, and appropriately escalate safeguarding concerns involving children in dental practice.

Dentists will be able to –

Let’s be honest – the occlusion after Aligner cases can be a little ‘off’ (even after fixed appliances!)

How do you know if your patient’s occlusion after aligner treatment is acceptable or risky?

What practical guidelines can general dentists follow to manage occlusion when orthodontic results aren’t textbook-perfect?

Jaz and Dr. Jesper Hatt explore the most common challenges dentists face, from ClinCheck errors and digital setup pitfalls to balancing aesthetics with functional occlusion.

They also discuss key strategies to help you evaluate, guide, and optimize occlusion in your patients, because understanding what is acceptable and what needs intervention can make all the difference in long-term treatment stability and patient satisfaction.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Harmony and Occlusal Compatibility

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

00:00 Teaser

00:59 Intro

02:53  Pearl – Harmony and Occlusal Compatibility

05:57 Dr. Jesper Hatt Introduction

07:34 Clinical Support Systems

10:18 Occlusion and Aligner Therapy

20:41 Bite Recording Considerations

25:32 Collaborative Approach in Orthodontics

30:31 Occlusal Goals vs. Aesthetic Goals

31:42 Midroll

35:03 Occlusal Goals vs. Aesthetic Goals

35:25 Challenges with Spacing Cases

42:19 Occlusion Checkpoints After Aligners

50:17 Considerations for Retention

54:55 Case Assessment and Treatment Planning

58:14 Key Lessons and Final Thoughts

01:00:19 Interconnectedness of Body and Teeth

01:02:48 Resources for Dentists and Case Support

01:04:40 Outro

Free Aligner Case Support!
Send your patient’s case number and get a full assessment in 24 hours—easy, moderate, complex, or referral. Plus, access our 52-point planning protocol and 2-min photo course. No uploads, no cost.

[Get Free Access Now]

Learn more at alignerservice.com

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t miss: Do’s and Don’ts of Aligners [STRAIGHTPRIL] – PDP071

#PDPMainEpisodes #OcclusionTMDandSplints #OrthoRestorative

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. 

This episode meets GDC Outcomes A and C.

AGD Subject Code: 370 ORTHODONTICS (Functional orthodontic therapy)

Aim: To provide general dentists with practical guidance for managing occlusion in aligner therapy, from bite capture to retention, including common pitfalls, functional considerations, and case selection.

Dentists will be able to –