If you just wear a mouth guard like the Reviv 1 or myobrace to bed will that help?
I’m in the scenario where I release tension via myofascial release and stretches but get tense as soon as I get up and go outside. Anxiety may be contributing to that but I’m tired of the hamster wheel.
Hi EGK, this is honestly fascinating. I just discovered your substack but am familiar with orthotropics and also an inter oral face pulling course from an instagram page called mewing world. They talk about similar stuff. I had a question regarding the reviv. My 4 premolars were extracted and then teeth tightened with braces, leading to the consequences you’ve heard of online; do you think it would be worth to try out the reviv for my case? Have you heard of succes with similar cases? I’d love your thoughts on it, thanks so much.
Thanks for the quick response. On the retainer part: I had a plastic retainer for my upper teeth but stopped wearing it 7 years ago, but I do have a fixed metal wire on my lower teeth. I have heard mixed opinions about its value: some emphasize it is important to not make your facial structure collapse, while others say it might hinder progress in facial restoration you could get through mewing/posture/(the guard you propose). Not sure yet what to do with this as I'll probably try the reviv first and see what benefits I get.. I'll check out your articles in the meanwhile, thanks
I had one of those custom night-guards, clear rubbery material, as a teen. Dentist made it for me to keep me from grinding my teeth to nubs. I have an overbite, and what it caused me to do, as I would try to go to sleep (never did manage to sleep wearing the awful thing!), was push at the backs of my upper incisors with my lower teeth. Something about the gummy texture. Couldn't *not* do it. Teeth and jaw were always dreadfully sore after, and I threw it out after a couple weeks as I was afraid it would cause me to break my teeth, or make my incisors stick out horizontally!
You may be one of the few people who will believe this but I recently realized that I walk more uprightly than I have in years (I turned 66 this past Sunday). For some background, I participated in several scholastic athletics in junior and senior high (soccer, wrestling and track). Weight lifting was part of my training and I believe this led to a very correct, upright posture and gait when I was younger. I spent decades as a carpenter and drank a lot of a well known sports drink which, I believe, contributed significantly to serious dental decay due to the citric acid content. As a result, I recently had to have my upper teeth replaced by a prosthesis supported by dental implants (think permanent dentures). My dentist (who BTW won an award in my state for having the most continuing ed hours of ANY dentist in the state and probably knows more than the average bear) suggested that we "open up my bite" with the new teeth. I addition to changing the spacing they also don't occlude the same as my original equipment. This seems to be exactly what you are saying and it seems that is the explanation for the change/restoration of my posture. Whatdayathink?
This is something I'd like to clear up in myself, too. My tinnitus went continuous in early 2017. Before that it was intermittent. Losing that constant companion would be wonderful!
Hi Ken I am very interested in your research and am looking to buy the Reviv and join the community.
I don’t have TMJ issues though have felt like the last 10 years my head is caving into my neck and body, like I feel I need to stretch/lengthen my neck and spine for relief. Thus I have neck pain and never feel fully aligned. I further have fatigue all the time despite exercising including neck and upper back stretching and eating overall a good diet. I do clench my jaw at night and several teeth are worn down. I’ve tried wearing night guards but find them uncomfortable and I worry I won’t do well with the Reviv but will try again!
I do have Ménière’s disease which causes pressure and ringing in the ears with vertigo at times esp when the air pressure changes during stormy weather etc. I wonder if this treatment will improve my symptoms? I believe this may be a big part of my fatigue?
i think for sure wearing a rubber mouthguard will help you. And improve fatigue etc.
What type of 'nightguards' did you wear?
Did you wear a rubber one?
And do not judge effectiveness by how comfortable it is. They are trying to remodel your skull. Typically the more uncomfortale it is.. the more it is working.
I just came across your substack and am very interested as my son has eustachian tube dysfunction which we believe is related to his TMJ, per numerous scientific papers. His family doctor, dentist and ear surgeon all dismissed the possibility of correlation when he brought it up to each of them.
Do you know of ear issues resolving when TMJ is corrected?
yes ear issues, esp eusstachian tube dysfunction is often related to tmj.
id try him wearing a rubber mouthguard for awhile or just add flat composite height to back teeth (in US they call it Planas tracks) and i bet it goes away.
I normally wear retainers to bed since having done an invisalign treatment about 5 years ago. Would the Revive work better than my retainers in keeping my teeth from collapsing and giving me better health outcomes? I had never had orthodonics due to mostly straight teeth as a child but in my fifties noticed some collapsing/crowding of teeth (I guess your balloon theory here); and did a 9 month stint of invisalign. Am i understanding correctly that Revive would be a better dental appliance than a made to fit retainer?
Thank you for your quick reply. I understand the importance of stretching the jaw and having a wide arch. I investigated a Myobrace some years ago, but couldn't order without a dentist prescription. I will be trying your Revive as it makes good sense to me. Thanks again!
I have a partial denture on 4 front teeth. #6, 8, 9, 11. It lays alongside 2 of the back 3 teeth but doesn't wrap around. Would my arch be able to get wider if I wore this at night but the partial during the day?
I had braces 3 times and jaw surgery. My joints are bone on bone.
Hi, if you have a posterior open bite does it put pressure on the anterior during the day when you chew? How has the open posterior affected chewing? If a person goes to a dentist with an open posterior bite how does the dentist "treat" that? And lastly does putting a splint to make an open posterior bit help TMJ pain and dislocation?
I have recently found I have calcified stylohyoid ligaments and trying to correct posture. I also have bad tmjd on one side and on that side I also have lymph nodes that have been swollen for years, pulsatile tinnitus and 24/7 "stoned" feeling since 2022 that no specialist can confirm the cause. I don't know if any of this is caused by Eagle's Syndrome, the tmjd that happened after work done on my wisdom tooth, the fact that I am missing teeth or grind and clench.. or if it's my upper cervical military neck and forward head posture. They are all related of course with fascia and muscles. I want to fix this.
Hi, if you have a posterior open bite does it put pressure on the anterior during the day when you chew?
>>No, i have a posterior open bite for 4+ yrs with contact only on incisors.
How has the open posterior affected chewing?
>> I dont think my front teeth make contact at all when chewing. In fact i dont think my teeth make contact at all, nor are they supposed to most likely.
And my brain just adusted to this so i dont think about it at all.
If a person goes to a dentist with an open posterior bite how does the dentist "treat" that?
>> Depends on this person's perspective.
I generally view and treat most dentists as idiots because i know what they were taught and i think most of it was just garbage.
So i walk into a dental office here in Bangkok and tell them "YOu will do this.. or i will walk out." And they decide to either take my money or not.
The US is of course trickier hahahaha. I have gotten in more than a few arguments with US dentists when i was there in 2017-18. In the end you need to find one that coincides with what u wanna do.
And lastly does putting a splint to make an open posterior bit help TMJ pain and dislocation?
I noticed the holes in the reviv... does it allow to breathe through your mouth? (As it would be nice if it helped with learning to breath through the nose at the same time, i guess)?
Does my rubber wrestling mouth guard work
if its not a boil and bite guard. keep it flat
If you just wear a mouth guard like the Reviv 1 or myobrace to bed will that help?
I’m in the scenario where I release tension via myofascial release and stretches but get tense as soon as I get up and go outside. Anxiety may be contributing to that but I’m tired of the hamster wheel.
yes any rubber mouthguard that is not fitted to the teeth will work
Hi EGK, this is honestly fascinating. I just discovered your substack but am familiar with orthotropics and also an inter oral face pulling course from an instagram page called mewing world. They talk about similar stuff. I had a question regarding the reviv. My 4 premolars were extracted and then teeth tightened with braces, leading to the consequences you’ve heard of online; do you think it would be worth to try out the reviv for my case? Have you heard of succes with similar cases? I’d love your thoughts on it, thanks so much.
yes i think it will help... but you shouldnt wear any retainer.
There are folks in the group that had extractions for sure.. but im not sure if anyone had 4 premolars extracted
Thanks for the quick response. On the retainer part: I had a plastic retainer for my upper teeth but stopped wearing it 7 years ago, but I do have a fixed metal wire on my lower teeth. I have heard mixed opinions about its value: some emphasize it is important to not make your facial structure collapse, while others say it might hinder progress in facial restoration you could get through mewing/posture/(the guard you propose). Not sure yet what to do with this as I'll probably try the reviv first and see what benefits I get.. I'll check out your articles in the meanwhile, thanks
sure. I think it's less risky to remove if you're wearing a rubber appliance like a Reviv at night.
Because it will prevent things from collapsing and rather things should expand outwards as the soft tissue stretches.
I just ordered a Reviv one.
Thanks Chris
I had one of those custom night-guards, clear rubbery material, as a teen. Dentist made it for me to keep me from grinding my teeth to nubs. I have an overbite, and what it caused me to do, as I would try to go to sleep (never did manage to sleep wearing the awful thing!), was push at the backs of my upper incisors with my lower teeth. Something about the gummy texture. Couldn't *not* do it. Teeth and jaw were always dreadfully sore after, and I threw it out after a couple weeks as I was afraid it would cause me to break my teeth, or make my incisors stick out horizontally!
Is there some way to avoid that?
Soreness is the teeth remodelling.
It's part of the process and you get to learn that it's a good thing.
For most folks it only lasts the first month or so.
Just do it gently... take breaks when you need to
You may be one of the few people who will believe this but I recently realized that I walk more uprightly than I have in years (I turned 66 this past Sunday). For some background, I participated in several scholastic athletics in junior and senior high (soccer, wrestling and track). Weight lifting was part of my training and I believe this led to a very correct, upright posture and gait when I was younger. I spent decades as a carpenter and drank a lot of a well known sports drink which, I believe, contributed significantly to serious dental decay due to the citric acid content. As a result, I recently had to have my upper teeth replaced by a prosthesis supported by dental implants (think permanent dentures). My dentist (who BTW won an award in my state for having the most continuing ed hours of ANY dentist in the state and probably knows more than the average bear) suggested that we "open up my bite" with the new teeth. I addition to changing the spacing they also don't occlude the same as my original equipment. This seems to be exactly what you are saying and it seems that is the explanation for the change/restoration of my posture. Whatdayathink?
yes without a doubt.. these new teeth are using these biomechanics.
If the teeth are taller and if they don’t really lock a single occlusion than you should continue to improve and get healthier.
How good. David UKj
So are you going share the exercises at some point? You have me intrigued with the whole process and I feel like I’ve been left hanging.
Maybe one day.
Step one is finish the process till the 'end' and show that it can be done.
I haven't thought much further than that yet tbh lol
I’d be very interested in the exercises as well!
Me too!
Wonder how this process might affect tinnitus.
tinnitus will improve and eventually go away. In my view.
Can’t wait for my Reviv …
This is something I'd like to clear up in myself, too. My tinnitus went continuous in early 2017. Before that it was intermittent. Losing that constant companion would be wonderful!
How would this work for a person with full removable dentures?
Hi Ken I am very interested in your research and am looking to buy the Reviv and join the community.
I don’t have TMJ issues though have felt like the last 10 years my head is caving into my neck and body, like I feel I need to stretch/lengthen my neck and spine for relief. Thus I have neck pain and never feel fully aligned. I further have fatigue all the time despite exercising including neck and upper back stretching and eating overall a good diet. I do clench my jaw at night and several teeth are worn down. I’ve tried wearing night guards but find them uncomfortable and I worry I won’t do well with the Reviv but will try again!
I do have Ménière’s disease which causes pressure and ringing in the ears with vertigo at times esp when the air pressure changes during stormy weather etc. I wonder if this treatment will improve my symptoms? I believe this may be a big part of my fatigue?
i think for sure wearing a rubber mouthguard will help you. And improve fatigue etc.
What type of 'nightguards' did you wear?
Did you wear a rubber one?
And do not judge effectiveness by how comfortable it is. They are trying to remodel your skull. Typically the more uncomfortale it is.. the more it is working.
I just came across your substack and am very interested as my son has eustachian tube dysfunction which we believe is related to his TMJ, per numerous scientific papers. His family doctor, dentist and ear surgeon all dismissed the possibility of correlation when he brought it up to each of them.
Do you know of ear issues resolving when TMJ is corrected?
yes ear issues, esp eusstachian tube dysfunction is often related to tmj.
id try him wearing a rubber mouthguard for awhile or just add flat composite height to back teeth (in US they call it Planas tracks) and i bet it goes away.
I normally wear retainers to bed since having done an invisalign treatment about 5 years ago. Would the Revive work better than my retainers in keeping my teeth from collapsing and giving me better health outcomes? I had never had orthodonics due to mostly straight teeth as a child but in my fifties noticed some collapsing/crowding of teeth (I guess your balloon theory here); and did a 9 month stint of invisalign. Am i understanding correctly that Revive would be a better dental appliance than a made to fit retainer?
I don't want to say 'better' and I want to preface everything by saying that I am not a dentist.
I can tell you my opinion on how Reviv works vs. my understanding of a retainer.
A Reviv will stretch the soft tissue of the jaw and skull and the arches should begin to expand. The teeth will move as that expansion occurs.
And i view that as a good thing. As you will typically have other health things improve as well.
A retainer restricts this expansion from occurring by locking a specific occlusion.
That is what i can say
Thank you for your quick reply. I understand the importance of stretching the jaw and having a wide arch. I investigated a Myobrace some years ago, but couldn't order without a dentist prescription. I will be trying your Revive as it makes good sense to me. Thanks again!
sure! look forward to working with you
Doesn’t the first option, dental splint fitted to teeth lock the position?
oh i just updated it a bit to clarify that it absolutely needs to be a 'flat plane' splint. And not lock a bite position
I have a partial denture on 4 front teeth. #6, 8, 9, 11. It lays alongside 2 of the back 3 teeth but doesn't wrap around. Would my arch be able to get wider if I wore this at night but the partial during the day?
I had braces 3 times and jaw surgery. My joints are bone on bone.
Hi, if you have a posterior open bite does it put pressure on the anterior during the day when you chew? How has the open posterior affected chewing? If a person goes to a dentist with an open posterior bite how does the dentist "treat" that? And lastly does putting a splint to make an open posterior bit help TMJ pain and dislocation?
I have recently found I have calcified stylohyoid ligaments and trying to correct posture. I also have bad tmjd on one side and on that side I also have lymph nodes that have been swollen for years, pulsatile tinnitus and 24/7 "stoned" feeling since 2022 that no specialist can confirm the cause. I don't know if any of this is caused by Eagle's Syndrome, the tmjd that happened after work done on my wisdom tooth, the fact that I am missing teeth or grind and clench.. or if it's my upper cervical military neck and forward head posture. They are all related of course with fascia and muscles. I want to fix this.
Hi, if you have a posterior open bite does it put pressure on the anterior during the day when you chew?
>>No, i have a posterior open bite for 4+ yrs with contact only on incisors.
How has the open posterior affected chewing?
>> I dont think my front teeth make contact at all when chewing. In fact i dont think my teeth make contact at all, nor are they supposed to most likely.
And my brain just adusted to this so i dont think about it at all.
If a person goes to a dentist with an open posterior bite how does the dentist "treat" that?
>> Depends on this person's perspective.
I generally view and treat most dentists as idiots because i know what they were taught and i think most of it was just garbage.
So i walk into a dental office here in Bangkok and tell them "YOu will do this.. or i will walk out." And they decide to either take my money or not.
The US is of course trickier hahahaha. I have gotten in more than a few arguments with US dentists when i was there in 2017-18. In the end you need to find one that coincides with what u wanna do.
And lastly does putting a splint to make an open posterior bit help TMJ pain and dislocation?
>> In my view yes. If it is a flat plane splint.
I noticed the holes in the reviv... does it allow to breathe through your mouth? (As it would be nice if it helped with learning to breath through the nose at the same time, i guess)?
yes it allows for breathing thru the mouth.
A lot of people need those holes to be able to sleep with it at night as they cannot yet breathe thru the nose
But some folks in the community have mentioned covering the holes with something like polymorph