No More Pain
Stop experiencing frequently jaw pain or headaches.
No More Discomfort
Sleep throughout the night and live day-to-day without any discomfort.
Live Better
Prevent future health problems and enjoy every aspect of your pain-free life.
You Don’t Need to Live In Constant Discomfort!
Experiencing jaw grinding, clicking, or popping noises during mouth movements, difficulty in fully opening the mouth for activities like speaking, yawning, or chewing, as well as sensations of jaw locking or stiffness, can all indicate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Additionally, discomfort or pain when biting and chewing, accompanied by sensations of tension or ache in the neck, shoulders, or ears, and recurrent headaches are common symptoms associated with TMJ disorders. These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life, necessitating prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment to alleviate discomfort and restore jaw function.
An Orthodontic Team You Can Rely On
The technology used by Dr. David Alpan to diagnose and treat TMJ/TMD signs and symptoms was developed in the 1960’s by Bernard Jankelson, DDS, in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Jankelson developed the Myomonitor, an electronic device, to assist TMJ Therapy. He then founded Myotronics, the organization that continues to educate dental and medical professionals about diagnosing and treating these disorders. Robert Jankelson, DDS, continues the work of his father in Myotronics where they continue researching and developing newer and better technologies for TMJ/TMD diagnosis and treatment.
It’s Easy to Get Started
Dr. David began to formulate his own TMJ treatment, based on his father’s success with Dr. Jankelson’s technology. Dr. David was also mentored and influenced by Dr. Chase at the University of the Pacific (UOP) School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Dr. David attended many postgraduate classes at Myotronics and earned the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) degree for writing his Master’s Thesis on TMD research during his two year orthodontic specialty training at UOP School of Dentistry. He has been practicing TMJ therapy in private practice since 1999, when he founded Alpan Orthodontics in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills.
Step 1. Discover
Step 2. Relax
Step 3. Smile
Meet Dr. Alpan – Top Invisalign Specialist in Los Angeles
Dr. Alpan earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of the Pacific (UOP) School of Dentistry in San Francisco and became licensed to practice dentistry in California and Nevada in 1996. After completing his orthodontic training program at UOP in 1998, he received his Orthodontic Specialty Certificate. He earned his Master’s of Science degree in Dentistry (MSD), and wrote his master’s thesis on the results of a two-year TMJ research project. Dr. Alpan is a speaker and leading expert KOL (Key Opinion Leader) for many technology companies like Acceledent, Propel & Light Force. Dr. Alpan customizes each smile to your unique features and refers to himself as a “Smile Designer.”
Meet Dr. Memsic
Dr. Robert earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1972 from Loyola University Chicago Dental School. He attended a postgraduate orthodontic residency program at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1974. He practiced in the Koreatown area for over 40 years helping thousands of patients improve their bite and smile. In addition to managing his own private practice, he also held the position of Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Southern California (USC) Dental School. He taught at USC dental school for a total of 35 years and all his students loved him.
We are
where you are.
With offices in Los Angeles, Century City, and Woodland Hills, you can easily find an Alpan Orthodontics office that works for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Myomonitor (muscle monitor) is the electronic device used to relax the muscles in your face in order to relieve muscle strain that results in signs and symptoms. It is powered by a nine-volt battery. The scientific name for this device is a Transcutaneous Electronic Neuromuscular Stimulator (TENS). The TENS device is attached to leads, which are attached to both sides of your face and neck. When it is turned on, it sends a painless electronic impulse through the leads to stimulate the nerves in the face, which contract the muscles in the face that move the lower jaw. There are 42 contractions and relaxation cycles per minute. This causes the brain to release endorphins – natural hormones that relax the muscles. After pulsing for 90 minutes, the muscles become more relaxed. Many people notice that the lower jaw has moved to a new position, or maybe not. If the lower jaw does move into a new position, the teeth now come together differently while on the Myomonitor than before the TENS treatment began. This neuro-muscular bite is different from the accommodated bite, which the patient adapted to and which may be causing the signs and symptoms of TMJ/TMD.
If Dr. David Alpan recommends 1-3 TENS treatments, and there is no change in the relationship of the lower to upper jaw and there is no alleviation or elimination of your symptoms, he will discuss other options, or refer you to another health-care provider.
- A review of your signs and symptoms
- An oral and physical exam
- A diagnosis and treatment plan
- Cancer Screening Exam
If you need TMJ/TMD therapy, Dr. David Alpan will evaluate exactly how long you will be in treatment. 1-3 TENS treatments may alleviate or eliminate your symptoms. Occasionally 1-3 TENS treatments with minor tooth adjustments alleviates or eliminates symptoms. If these procedures don’t help you, Dr. David Alpan may recommend Phase 1 TMJ Therapy or he may refer you to other therapists.
During the initial TMJ exam, Dr. Alpan will determine what the best treatment is based on your signs and symptoms and your answers to his questions. If he determines that you will benefit from TMJ therapy he will prescribe 1-3 ninety minute TENS treatments. If your symptoms persist after the 3 TENS treatments Dr. David Alpan will re-evaluate your condition and either recommend Phase 1 TMJ treatment or refer you to other therapists.
Nobody can know before treatment starts how long you will need treatment. In some cases, one TENS treatment solves the problem. In others, TENS treatment may last six months. Some patients will require a removable dental splint or mandibular orthodpedic repositioning appliance (MORA) to aid in treatment. When the teeth on the right and left side hit at the same time or when the upper teeth on the right and left side hit the removable dental Splint or MORA at the same time and this relationship holds for a few months without requiring adjustments, TMJ treatment is complete. When signs and symptoms are alleviated or totally eliminated TMJ therapy is finished. In many patients the symptoms are only lessened. TMD treatment is also referred to as “Pain Management.” Some permanent changes caused by TMJ/TMD injury or genetics, etc., may not be reversed with TMJ therapy.
If symptoms can only be lessened, Dr. David Alpan will refer you to other health care providers – a Chiropractor, Osteopath, Cranial Osteopath, Podiatrist, Physical Therapist, Bio-feedback Therapist, Psychologist, Acupressure specialist, Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, etc. Anyone that works with TMJ/TMD can help you.
Sometimes a team of doctors must treat a patient with TMJ/TMD problems at the same time. The longer the condition has existed, the longer and more expanded the treatment may become. It is for this reason that Dr. David Alpan recommends that every child be examined at age seven (7). Anyone with chronic pain or any of the other TMD-TMJ Signs and Symptoms should be examined as soon as the signs or symptoms are noticed.
After phase I TMJ therapy is completed and most if not all the symptoms have been reduced Dr. David Alpan may recommend Phase II TMJ therapy. Many patients would ask to create a more permanent solution using orthodontics to move the teeth into a position that can support the bite and not create more TMJ/ TMD symptoms. In some patients, surgery may be required.
If all your symptoms are alleviated with 1-3 TENS treatments, then nothing else happens. After Phase 1 TMJ therapy, there are ways to permanently retain the relationship of the lower jaw to upper jaw and skull without the removable dental splint or orthotic.
Some of the alternative ways to accomplish this are:
Orthodontic treatment with tooth braces = Phase 2 TMJ therapy done by Dr. David Alpan or crowns, implants, bridges, partial or full dentures done by your general dentist. Dr. David Alpan does orthodontic treatment in Phase 2 TMJ treatment when you don’t want to continue wearing the removable dental Splint. If you don’t want orthodontic treatment, he will refer you to your general dentist or a specialist if necessary.
After your teeth are moved with orthodontic treatment, the new muscle-skeletal relationship should hold for the rest of your life. You will have to wear a retainer at home and while you sleep for the rest of your life in order to prevent relapse of the moved teeth. Using a retainer after orthodontic treatment is required for everyone. Some clenching and grinding habits may still require a dental night guard long term. We look forward to helping you solve your TMJ/TMD concerns.
Some general dentists have invested the time and effort to learn about this subject. It is not taught in any of the dental schools. After the dentist graduates from dental school he/she must spend their own time, effort, and money away from their dental practices taking hundreds of hours of postgraduate courses all over the country to gather the data necessary to become a TMJ Therapist.
This is what Dr. Alpan did while in dental school, orthodontic specialty training, and after he graduated as an orthodontist in 1998. During his two years in specialty training to become an orthodontist, he spent hundreds of hours in the TMJ Clinic with Dr. Chase at the UOP School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He took many post-graduate courses on treating TMJ/TMD problems.
Myotronics, founded by Dr. Bernard Jankelson, has been developing sophisticated electronic equipment for TMJ/TMD diagnosis and treatment and instructing courses since the late 1960’s. Dr. Jack Alpan, his father (a general dentist), was trained by Myotronics in 1973. Dr. Jack did TMJ/TMD therapy from 1973-1997 and gave public lectures on this subject that Dr. David Alpan attended during his formative years. Dr. Jack inspired Dr. David regarding the importance of TMJ/TMD diagnosis and treatment for the best practice of general dentistry and orthodontics. That motivated Dr. David Alpan to make the extra effort to learn more about TMJ/TMD diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. David Alpan wrote his Master’s thesis on a TMD research project he did during his two years of orthodontic specialty training. For this he was awarded the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) degree. He has been diagnosing and treating patients with TMJ/TMD problems since his graduation as a dentist in 1996 from the UOP School of Dentistry in San Francisco.
During the course of your TMJ/TMD therapy, you may have to wear a clear, plastic, removable dental Splint that fits over your lower teeth. To prevent excessive wear and breakage of this dental Splint, it is best to avoid very hard foods – pop corn, ice crushing, hard nuts, hard candies, etc. When you feel discomfort from eating, don’t eat hard, chewy foods.
If you don’t need a dental Splint, you can eat whatever you want. Of course, sugar and all refined and processed foods are not good for your teeth, gums and jaw bones. Eat whole natural foods (80% raw foods) that have had the least amount of processing as possible. All sweet things promote caries for 98% of the population and bone loss around the teeth for 80% of the adult population.
If you have any more questions regarding TMJ/TMD therapy not covered on this web page, please Contact Us by phone, fax, or email. We will gladly answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you at your Initial TMJ Exam appointment.
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