Our practice is specifically dedicated to the evaluation and management of orofacial pain disorders, which include all stages of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), all classes of headaches, neuropathic pain, sleep disorders, and musculoskeletal, vascular, and intraoral pain disorders of the hard and soft tissues. Because of the complex nature of these disorders, it is important to be able to differentiate the origin of your pain. Orofacial pain may involve the eyes, ears, nose, throat, salivary glands, and blood vessels, or it may mimic other serious medical conditions. A good example is that 42% of patients with cluster headaches have received unnecessary dental treatment due to misdiagnosis.*
To enable our patients to develop multiple skills to manage their pain with a conservative, non-invasive approach that ultimately decreases pain and improves function while also involving the patient as an integral part of the team.
Please be advised that this website is for information only and is not intended as diagnostic or to be used for treatment purposes. Please seek a professional diagnosis and/or find a doctor for treatment.
Dr. Spencer initially chose to become a dentist due to a very simple reason: health was always very important to him, and he wanted to pursue a career where he was able to help people in a meaningful way on a daily basis. After practicing general dentistry, he began to shift his focus to specifically tackling chronic pain associated with TMD. Over the decades, he has become a leading expert in the field and tries to share his knowledge as much as he can with patients and colleagues.
After graduating from Southern Methodist University, Dr. Spencer enrolled in the prestigious UT San Antonio School of Dentistry, which was the number one ranked dental school in the nation. There, he met Dr. Richard Riggs, who became an authority in TMJ - TMD dentistry himself and actually founded our practice.
Today, in addition to running Orofacial Pain Associates, he also lectures extensively around the country regarding this area of medicine. He maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, and he has attended the world-renowned Pankey Institute.
A highly sought-after educator in the field of TMJ - TMD dentistry, for 15 years, he taught students and residents at the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry the ins and outs of facial pain diagnosis and treatment so the type of care he provides today could become better understood and more readily available.
Dr. Spencer has fervently pursued overall health and wellness his entire life. A championship wrestler in high school, today he is a certified personal trainer by the Cooper Institute and has completed seven full marathons. When at home, he likes to spend his time landscaping and integrating native plant species into his garden. During his calmer moments, he enjoys spending time on the boat at Lake Kiowa with his son Adam, who is a filmmaker, actor, and singer. Whenever he can, he likes to escape the Texas heat by taking trips to Alaska, and he never tires of its wide-ranging magnificence.