Bruxism isn’t just “clenching and grinding”—it’s a symptom. In this episode of The Odontojam Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with Dr. Damian Teo (TMD & dental sleep medicine clinician/educator) to unpack the modern understanding of bruxism and its relationship to TMD. They separate sleep vs. awake bruxism, explain why the sympathetic fight-or-flight system drives parafunction, and map common triggers—from stress, injury and hormonal changes to sleep-disordered breathing (snoring/OSA) and reflux.
Dr. Teo outlines practical, diagnosis-first management: when to choose permissive vs. non-permissive splints, the risks of splinting unrecognised OSA, and why multidisciplinary care (physio/osteo, psychology, ENT/sleep, TMJ-aware dentistry) matters. He introduces “bracing” (muscle tension without tooth contact), the BruxApp for daytime awareness, posture/SCM links, and strategies to mitigate mandibular advancement splint bite changes (morning exercises/aligner). We also explore acupuncture/low-level laser vs. dry needling.

Key takeaways

• Treat the cause, not just the teeth: screen sleep and reflux before splinting.
• Bracing is common in daytime bruxism—awareness tools can reduce pain quickly.
• Splints protect; they don’t “cure.” Diagnosis dictates design (muscle vs. joint).
• Informed consent and morning deprogramming help manage MAS bite changes.
• Multimodal care (manual therapy, psychological support, sleep medicine, acupuncture/laser) improves outcomes.

In this episode of The Odontojam Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with Dr. Dilhan Rajasingham to explore how the skills we hone in dentistry — like problem-solving, communication, and adaptability — can open doors well beyond the clinic. From stepping into leadership roles and board positions, to pursuing an MBA and working with cutting-edge dental tech, Dilhan shares practical insights on career pivots, networking, and designing a professional life that supports the lifestyle you want. Whether you’re early in your career or feeling ready for a change, this conversation offers strategies, inspiration, and a reminder that your dental degree can be the start of many different journeys.

Time Stamps
00:00 – Introduction & setting the scene
02:18 – Problem-solving skills that translate beyond dentistry
08:14 – Taking a career break to pursue an MBA
14:39 – The power of communication in and outside the clinic
20:52 – Breaking out of the “four walls” mindset
29:22 – Getting comfortable with networking and building connections
37:18 – Embracing AI and digital tools in dental practice
44:45 – The role of scanners and patient education
47:55 – Serving on the ADA board and giving back to the profession
52:27 – Designing a career and lifestyle you actually want
59:36 – Final thoughts and takeaways

Learn more about Dr. Dilhan @ www.drdilhan.io

In this conversation, Dr. Derry Rogers discusses the importance of understanding patient personalities in dentistry, emphasising how effective communication can enhance patient care and treatment acceptance. He categorises patients into four personality types—directors, socialisers, relators, and thinkers—and explains how dentists can adapt their communication styles to meet the needs of each type. The discussion also covers the significance of creating a comfortable environment for patients, the necessity of developing both clinical and communication skills, and the role of vision and values in achieving a fulfilling dental practice. Dr. Rogers shares insights from his extensive experience and training programs aimed at helping dentists improve their practice and patient interactions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS!

• Understanding patient personalities is crucial in dentistry.
• Patients can be categorized into four personality types: directors, socializers, relators, and thinkers.
• Effective communication is key to patient acceptance of treatment plans.
• Creating a comfortable environment can help alleviate patient anxiety.
• Photography can enhance communication and understanding between dentists and patients.
• Dentists need to develop both clinical skills and communication skills for success.
• Having a clear vision and values is essential for a fulfilling dental practice.
• Training and development programs can significantly improve a dentist's practice.
• Understanding personality types can lead to better patient experiences.
• Dentistry can be a rewarding profession when approached with the right mindset.

TIME STAMPS

00:00
Understanding Patient Personalities in Dentistry

10:39
The Importance of Communication Skills

20:56
Creating a Comfortable Patient Environment

29:37
Navigating Patient Expectations

38:46
Training and Development in Dentistry

45:36
Life Lessons for a Fulfilling Dental Practice

Learn more about Dr. Derry Rogers and the DR Institute at www.drinstitute.com.au

Summary

In this episode of ODONTOJAM, Dr. Stephanie Tang discusses the significance of early intervention in orthodontics, the effectiveness of clear aligners for children, and the importance of creating comprehensive treatment plans. She also explores the role of AI in orthodontics, how to manage treatment challenges, and the best ways to communicate treatment options to patients, including addressing concerns about recession related to clear aligners.

Time Stamps

00:29 Understanding Early Intervention Orthodontics
06:56 Orthodontic Treatment Planning and Timing
09:05 The Role of AI in Orthodontics
13:16 Daily Operations in Orthodontics
15:07 Managing Treatment Challenges
17:16 Understanding Growth Patterns in Orthodontics
18:53 Camouflage Treatments: Pros and Cons
20:06 Communicating Treatment Options to Patients
23:30 Addressing Concerns About Clear Aligners
27:38 Informed Consent and Patient Communication

In this episode of the ODONTOJAM Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with prosthodontist Dr. Gideon Fixler to demystify bonding and cementation of indirect restorations. They trace the evolution from PFM and gold crowns to today’s adhesive-driven, minimal-intervention ceramics. Dr. Fixler breaks down the four pillars of adhesive cementation (etch, primer, bond, composite), shares detailed protocols for lithium disilicate and zirconia, and offers practical tips on chairside etching, silanation, and sandblasting. They also compare material choices—from veneers to resin-bonded bridges and full-coverage crowns—arming general dentists with actionable strategies to optimize their bonding workflows.

Episode Timeline

• 00:00 – Introduction: Importance of cementation for indirect restorations (veneers, crowns, onlays) and guest introduction (Dr. Gideon Fixler)
• 00:41 – Welcome to the OdontoJam Podcast
• 01:02 – Historical perspective: gold and PFM era vs. modern adhesive dentistry
• 01:31 – Shift to minimal-intervention, bonded restorations and material complexity
• 02:20 – Common pitfalls: material selection and over-complication of bonding steps
• 03:36 – Core bonding principles: etch, primer, bond, composite framework
• 04:14 – Lithium disilicate protocol: hydrofluoric acid etch, silanation, contamination management
• 06:04 – Chairside vs. lab etching and silanation workflows, ultrasonic cleaning tips
• 09:20 – Zirconia bonding: clinical reliability, MDP primers, sandblasting parameters
• 14:44 – Material selection rationale: when to choose zirconia versus lithium disilicate
• 17:46 – Resin-bonded bridges: PFM vs. zirconia frameworks and connector design
• 20:24 – Full-coverage crowns: retention versus adhesive cementation and cement choice
• 33:44 – Veneers: light-cure vs. dual-cure cements, rubber-dam isolation, sequencing
• 35:12 – Feldspathic porcelain versus lithium disilicate: aesthetic and lab skill considerations
• 36:11 – Closing remarks and key takeaways

In this week’s episode, Dr. Jesse speaks with Dr. Andrew Heredia - Current ADAVB President, practice co-owner, university educator and parent.

They go into...

• Balancing multiple roles: How Andrew manages leadership, clinical work, teaching and family responsibilities, and the routines he relies on to maintain focus.
• Defining success in dentistry: Why building rapport, clear communication and patient-centred care are central to a satisfying day in practice.
• Current challenges for the profession: A thoughtful discussion on rural dental access, proposals for more comprehensive public care, the mental-health pressures facing clinicians, and a cautious look at AI’s potential in everyday workflows.

They also cover Andrew’s path into ADAVB volunteering, the skills most needed on its committees, and how practice ownership has influenced his approach to patient treatment. For anyone feeling stuck, he suggests stepping beyond familiar routines and exploring new interests as a way to renew engagement with the profession.

Thank you Andrew for joining us on the show!

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tim Keys to explore the complexities of pediatric dentistry, especially when it comes to treating molar incisor hypermineralization (MIH). We discuss restorative options like stainless steel crowns, the role of fluoride toothpaste in preventing decay, and Tim's take on the use of Tooth Mousse. Tim highlights the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each child's age, dentition, and risk factors. Tune in for a conversation full of insights into evidence-based practices that are essential for delivering the best care to young patients.

Be sure to check our Dr. Tim's Blog for more detailed insights into best practices and handy tips and tricks!

https://www.kidsdentaltips.com/posts

Joining me today is Orthodontist Dr. Adam Leung to break down a number Orthodontic questions relevant to our everyday practice. We discuss retention, mechanics, aligners vs fixed Braces, Mewing, airways and early intervention! It’s a jam packed episode, I hope you enjoy!