My governing philosophy is to make the fewest changes while producing the best end result for the patient. For some, this could be full mouth rehabilitation and for others simply equilibration and/or orthodontics. In the end, Im trying to establish harmony between the teeth, joints, and muscles. We are a closed loop from head to toe. Now, the research shows that the teeth, jaws, and tissue, affect many different areas of the body, such as the neck and heart.

Even during the challenges of COVID-19, I feel poised and ready to bring my best self forward in these times that hold endless possibilities for values-based, relationship-driven, uniquely individualized care. Excerpt from an article featured on the Pankey Institute blog.

With 30+ years of dental experience, Dr. Muench retains a wealth of information. It brings him great pleasure and satisfaction to help his patients become healthier. Dr. Muench stays motivated by challenging himself with whole system thinking. You and Dr. Muench will co-create a treatment plan based on your individual needs.

Dentistry has changed a lot, especially in the last 15 years. Dr. Muench has experienced firsthand how important it is to be on the cutting edge of patient research.He has earned more than 1,500 hours of continuing education from world renowned dental learning facilities, including the following institutes:

Since 2014, Dr. Muench has won the Jersey Choice award every year its been offered. He has also won aQuintessence Operative Dentistry Award, and Dentsply Fixed Prosthodontics Award. He also holds aDistinguished Health Care Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America Northern New Jersey Council.

My roommate from college, Dr. Peter Famiglio, encouraged me to seek out a career in dentistry. At the time, I was doing cancer research and he was in dental school. All he kept saying was, This is for you Youre perfect for dentistry. So I applied and in answering the question Why I wanted to be a dentist I convinced myself. This mix of art and science was incredibly appealing. I had already explored science as a career, but the art and craft of dentistry is beyond words.

Im a restorative dentist with a passion for occlusion. In teaching, I often hear that clinicians view occlusion as this great, big mystery and yes, sometimes misery. L. D. Pankey was said to say that occlusion is getting the posterior teeth to touch all at the same time with light contact and when you bite firmly, neither the joint nor the teeth should move. In addition, when you move your jaw left, right, or forward ONLY the front teeth should touch. He would chuckle and say, So whats so hard about Occlusion?

Another way to think about it is that the jaw operates like a tricycle; the two little wheels are the joints and the big wheel is the front teeth. The steering mechanism and the joints shouldnt have any notches in them in order to have a smooth ride!

Today I see Occlusion/Bite as a potentially significant factor in the balance and harmony of the patients whole health. Integrative Dental Health involves looking for the impact of the bodies influence on the dentition, namely how the airway, posture, structural integrity can affect how the teeth come together. If your teeth are chipping, breaking, or intermittently sensitive- it may be your bite. Headaches can also be directly associated with bite. Establishing harmony is a process of calming the whole system.

After I finished dental school and started my dental practice, I discovered the Pankey Institute, a place where dentists learn to treat the entire system of joints, muscles, and teeth.Traditional dental school just did not teach that kind of approach to dentistrythey gave no thought to the joints.

In a major commitment of time, money, and effort, I faithfully went to the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida, to learn how to treat a patients entire mouth (joints, muscles, and teeth) and to understand the pain I was feeling in my own.

As a part of my training, we were challenged to find a Master Dentist and have our mouths restored. And once I did that, I was told to go through the treatment and pay for it myself. That way Id understand the sacrifices a patient makes to take on the task of healing his or her own mouth.

Once this dentist refined my bite appliance, he performed an equilibration, which is the planned reshaping of teeth so they once again move smoothly and bite evenly. Ultimately the bite appliance helped determine if changing my bite would stop the pain and headaches. This left me both headache and pain free! And my dentist is supportive, thoughtful, and compassionate, while also bringing a skill level I truly value.

I felt enormous pain and frustration through this experience yet Ive also experienced a transformation of what is possible. Thats why I make it my mission to apply the same level of skill and understanding Ive been lucky enough to receive. And I promise to fulfill that mission when you come to our office.

Since graduating Dental School in 1987, Dr. Muench has completed more than 1,500 hours of continuing education. Having learned so much (and continuing to do so), hes now sharing his knowledge as he teaches at various continuing education dental facilities around the country.

After 10 years of attending, and based on his advanced degree of knowledge and experience, Dr. Muench was invited and accepted a position as a visiting faculty member at The Pankey Institute. Now, he is also an Advisory Board member at this prestigious organization.

Dr. Muench also runs an education and consulting business, Continuing Dental Engagement where he teaches hands-on technical skills alongside human-centered skills. Every workshop is conducted in small groups to ensure individualized learning.

Study Clubs are when a group of dentists gather to discuss particularly challenging cases from a technical and emotional standpoint. The goal is to help produce the best dental outcome possible. Dr. Muench is proud to be a member of many distinguished study clubs and the facilitator of other up-and-coming study clubs around the country.

For both adults and children, we focus on an integrative and holistic approach. We work to know you, your goals, and your mouth. Treatments may includeSleep & Airway Management,TMJ / TMD,Preventive, Aesthetics(including Implants), Restorative and routineHygiene & Cleaning visits.

We make sure your whole mouth is working right. We know that each mouth is unique and thats why each solution is completely custom fit.Your mouth not only has teeth and gums, but muscles and joints too. They all have to work in harmony. Although most dentists dont focus on the masticatory system, its an integral part that we take care to observe and treat as needed.

Whether youre in pain or problem free, were dedicated to your future. At our practice youll also get a complete education of your mouth. As a result, you will feel better and look better with pain-free clean and healthy teeth and gums.

Dr. Kevin Muench is incredibly thorough. He not only cares about each of his patients, but he also loves learning and sharing that learning. His goal is to help you understand exactly what is going on in your mouth, and if there is a problem, how hell work to investigate the root cause (no pun intended) and how to fix it.

Dr. Muench is thoughtful in his approach and quick to share a metaphor and a laugh with his patients. He is dedicated to finding out why and that is precisely the reason he likes his job so much because every day is a new learning experience and a chance to solve new problems.

Stephanies number one goal is to focus on helping patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. It is important for her to help patients understand the connection between oral health and overall systemic health.

Stephanie received her associates degree in dental hygiene from Rutgers University in January 2016. She has been in the field of dentistry for approximately 21 years and maintain a CPR certification. Her love of dentistry developed when working for dental labs for 15 years, but she knew that she want to connect more with patients, so she went to hygiene school.

Stephanie says, In some of my experiences with dental practices, I have encountered a concentration of quantity over quality; a need to achieve a daily production goal motivated by sales. Upon interviewing for the position and meeting the staff at Muench Family Dental, I knew I was in an environment that was based on providing patients with the quality care that is expected when visiting the dental office. Dr Muench uses the most up to date equipment and focuses on the synchrony of the joints, muscles and the teeth. I can say with certainty that I look forward to working with Dr Muench, his staff, and developing relationships with new and existing patients at Muench Family Dental.

Nicole has an Associates Degree from Essex County College and also graduated from HoHokus-Rets Eastwick College. She has over 10 years of experience in the dental field and has a CPR certification. She lives in Nutley, NJ and has 4 rescue dogs: Oreo, Prince, Leila, and Baby.

On our most complicated cases we collaborate with other 'system thinkers.' It can be hard to find specialists who think about the body as a system, intricately connected in so many different ways and having influence on all the different parts. This isn 't how you 're taught in school. Yet this is exactly what allows us to solve our most complex cases.

We experience a high number of referrals from other specialists. Although the majority of our patients are from Maplewood and the surrounding neighborhoods,we serve a wider area with our specialty services. Our dental patients commonly commute from these areas: Madison, Florham Park, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Newark, Warren, Jersey City, Springfield Township, Summit, and Rahway.