This week, we’re joined by Dr. Steven Bender, Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, as he breaks down the clinical realities of TMD and orofacial pain—what truly contributes to these conditions, what doesn’t, and practical ways dentists can approach complex pain. Episode 343 is available for download now on all of the top podcast platforms, or listen now by clicking the player above!
THIS EPISODE IS A PODCAST CE EPISODE AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR 0.5 CE CREDITS.
⭕FFICIAL MEMBERS: Log into our Official Member Portal to complete the lesson associated with this episode and earn CE: Official Member Portal
NON-MEBMERS – You can still earn CE credits while enjoying this podcast episode! Check out our Podcast CE On Demand, available now for just $9.99/episode: Podcast CE On Demand
Episode highlights:
Why occlusion has minimal impact on most TMD cases
How orthodontics is clinically considered “TMD neutral”
When Botox may help—and why it’s not a first-line treatment
Recognizing neuropathic pain when symptoms persist after a root canal
How sleep disturbances and systemic health can trigger or worsen facial pain
Meet this week’s guest:
Dr. Steve Bender is a retired Associate Professor from Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas Texas where he directed the Facial Pain and Sleep Medicine Clinic. Currently he serves as a guest lecturer for the LSU orofacial pain residency program. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and has earned Fellowships in the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the American Headache Society, and the American College of Dentists. In addition, he is a past president of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas in 1986 and then studied orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders at the Parker E Mahan Facial Pain Center at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville Florida from 1998 to 2000. Since that time, his practice was limited to the diagnosis and management of orofacial pains. Dr. Bender currently serves as an Associate Editor for CRANIO® The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice. He has also published numerous peer reviewed articles and contributed multiple book chapters. Dr. Bender is a frequent invited presenter for both dental and medical conferences.
Our self-study courses offer the opportunity to earn continuing education credit by listening to specific episodes of our podcast, and then taking an online quiz for certification.
Dr. Grace Yum has quietly become one of the highest-profile pediatric dentists in Chicago and beyond.
She is in a small pool of less than 5% of all dentists who become certified in pediatrics. She also founded and built Yummy Dental and Orthodontics for Kids into a leader in its category. In this Podcast, Dr. Yum shares pearls of wisdom based on her experience that are designed to help moms be successful in their medical careers and in their lives more broadly. She interviews a rotating cast of experts who give invaluable advice from a variety of perspectives: fashion stylists, lawyers, CEOs, nutritionists, skincare experts, parenting experts and more. Along the way, Dr. Yum shares the secrets to her success in balancing motherhood and her growing business interests in dental, real estate and beyond.
