The Portland TMJ Clinic has been operated by Dr. John Summer as a research based specialty dental practice limited to treatment of TMJ disorders and obstructive sleep apnea for four decades. Compared to other TMJ clinics, we stand out for our innovations that include a working understanding of the bite based on anthropology and joint physiology, the application of orthopedic principles to treatment of TMJ disorders, incorporating the mandible into the analysis and treatment of body posture, and new soft tissue control mechanisms that can be added to mandibular advancement appliances to make them more effective.
We also stand out for our policy of transparency - everything we do is explained along with costs and rationales on this website. We hope that such transparency can serve as a model for medical practices, because real information about the disorder, (rather than marketing) enables consumers to make better health care decisions, especially in unregulated fields such as TMJ disorders. It can also stimulate discussion among doctors and patients about appropriate treatment.
DR. SUMMER'S RESEARCH - began with the anthropology of the TMJs and the bite (see ETIOLOGY); which led to studies of facial growth, orthodontics, and mandibular orthopedics. Subsequent research focused on the anatomy and physiology of the TMJs, especially the articular disks. Current research is focused on more effective oral appliance treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. In response to the real but limited success of mandibular advancement devices (MADs), Dr. Summer has developed new technologies that can be added to them to also control the tongue and the soft palate, the actual sources of the obstruction.
PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY - We treat TMJ disorders orthopedically, because they are musculoskeletal disorders. Understanding how the bite functions orthopedically and applying the same orthopedic principles to the jawbones and TMJs that apply to bones and joints in other parts of the body enables us to treat the symptoms in a way that restores long term health and functional capacity.
GENERAL DENTISTRY - We perform no general dentistry. You need to have your own general dentist to be sure your gums and teeth are healthy, because a toothache or inflamed gums can trigger the same type of reflex jaw muscle tightening that a damaged TMJ can trigger and thereby produce some of the same symptoms. Also we perform no esthetic orthodontics (braces or clear aligners). The only type of orthodontics we provide is functional orthodontics using removeable oral appliances that include orthopedic corrections to treat or prevent TMJ disorders by improving the pattern of jaw and facial growth.
COVID SAFETY - Our office is in a historic old building with windows that open. In addition to the normal precautions, we have fans blowing in one window and out the other to produce directional airflow.