Dierkes is a nationally recognized orthodontic specialist who has been creating beautiful smiles for over 30 years. He served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics at Emory University until 1985 when he returned to private practice. As reported in Self Magazine, the American Association of Orthodontists recognized Dr. Dierkes as one of the top 10 orthodontists in the country.

Regarding his formal education, Dr. Dierkes consistently graduated in the top 10% of each of his graduating classes which earned him the distinction of Magna Cum Laude for all of his degrees: University of Detroit B.S. Biology; University of Michigan D.D.S.; University of Michigan M.S. Orthodontics; Kingdom College of Natural Health N.M.D.

With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Dierkes specializes in early orthodontic treatment, comprehensive treatment, surgical orthodontics, and facial orthopedics as well as the treatment of chronic head and neck pain associated with jaw dysfunction (TMJ/TMD).

Dr. D is a dynamic leader in the community and very devoted to his family. He is married and is the proud father of four girls and two boys. He and his wife, Ellen, are active in their church, and his hobbies include rowing, downhill skiing, wood crafting, fitness training, horseback riding, and an occasional game of golf.

When you choose to undergo treatment at JM Dierkes Orthodontics and TMJ, expect to receive not only elite care for your orthodontic and esthetic issues, but also complete treatment that aims to improve your overall health. Dr. Dierkes looks beyond the mouth to examine other elements of the body and its condition that can be contributing factors to your orthodontic or esthetic conditions. Youll receive holistic treatment that includes treatment of your issues and naturopathic treatment to create a healthy mind and body.

Through Dr. Dierkess naturopathic approach, patients remain involved in their care throughout the entire length of treatment. By remaining in close communication and establishing a trustworthy relationship among doctor and patient, Dr. Dierkes empowers his patients to make sound decisions that will improve their overall health while producing lasting treatment results theyll be proud of. At JM Orthodontics & TMJ, we dont just treat the apparent issue; we treat the patient as a whole to ensure all elements affecting the patient are addressed and resolved.

Dr. Dierkes is committed to providing patients with a naturopathic approach to orthodontic, TMJ, and facial esthetic treatments. His All Things Considered approach to orthodontic treatment carefully considers the relationships among teeth, bone, muscles, TMJ, airway, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies and excesses, and endocrine balances and how each will affect the treatment of the patient.

With a holistic approach to the care he provides, Dr. Dierkes believes in patient education and effective communication which allows each patient to make informed choices about their care and treatment as well as fosters a positive working relationship between doctor and patient. While the naturopathic approach may take more time, the care is better for the patient, and the results beyond orthodontics and facial esthetics to improve the patients overall health.

Dr. Dierkes friendships and professional relationships with several renowned doctors over the years, both in medicine and dentistry, helped shape his diagnostic and treatment philosophy as he developed the most comprehensive and progressive approach to orthodontic and TMJ treatment available. As a result of these influences, he is very thankful for having had the opportunity to learn from some of the best.

In the mid 80s, Dr. Dierkes met and established a friendship with Dr. Janet Travell, formerly President John F. Kennedys personal back physician. Dr. Travell authored the textbook, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, which has enabled doctors worldwide to understand and identify referred pain. Over time she influenced his thinking regarding the relationship of thyroid function and nutrition for achieving normal muscle physiology so important in the growing child as well as the TMJ patient. She reinforced the importance of adequate thyroid activity for normal connective tissue integrity which must be considered in managing the care of the orthodontic and TMD patient for a successful outcome that embraces the best possible long-term stability.

Dr. Dierkes also worked with Dr. Robert Jankelson and others in the development of a balanced approach to comprehensive neuromuscular orthodontics for the TMJ/TMD patient. He worked closely with some of the most famous orthodontists in the world including Dr. James McNamara from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With their combined efforts and research in Europe, the first early orthopedic/orthodontic approaches in the United States were developed to help prevent the removal of permanent teeth as part of the orthodontic process.

Dr. Dierkes was able to personally study with Dr. Rolf Frankel from East Germany. It was his relationship with Dr. Frankel over the years that helped develop predictable arch development or expansion techniques offering long-term stability unparalleled anywhere in the world. It is the arch development techniques that have established the attractive smile lines so characteristic of Dr. Dierkes patients.

Dr. Dierkes own research at the University of Michigan pointed out the importance of adequate amounts of vitamin C for the best connective tissue matrix as a means of providing the most optimal long-term stability for an orthodontic result. His MRI research revealed the relationship between malocclusions (bad bite) and damaged jaw joints.

Dr. Dierkes has taught his diagnostic protocol and treatment techniques to countless other orthodontists over the years. It is one of the differences that has somewhat trademarked his approach that has earned him the recognition as being one of the top orthodontists in the country