How can dentistry alleviate seizures?

When I first heard that certain dental treatment can alleviate seizures, I, myself, was skeptical. But then, when I inserted an appliance, much like my Jefferson TESH Appliance, there were few incidences where a child suffered from seizures, and by wearing this mandibular advancement appliance, the seizures were reduced. While lecturing about this, I heard several doctors taking my course, that they also experienced the same thing.

          I was fortunate enough to befriend, Dr. Brendan Stack, an orthodontist, who specialized in treating movement disorders such as seizures and Parkinson’s. Tragically, he passed away several years ago. To fully appreciate Dr. Brendan Stack’s work. In this video, you will see how Dr. Stack treated a Canadian woman who had severe movement disorder where she was incapacitated. Dr. Stack treated this condition with a mandibular advancement appliance.

          Many in the healthcare profession feel that seizures are caused by neurological problems, where the nerves are misfiring and causing uncontrolled muscle movements. However, there may be another explanation for seizures. It may very well be due to brain hypoxia. It may be caused by upper airway obstruction. Upper airway obstruction can be caused by narrow face, mouth and narrow maxillary sinuses. This inhibits nasal respiration. It can also be caused by the lower jaw positioned posteriorly which may push against the pharyngeal airway thus inhibiting pharyngeal respiration. Many of these patients have small, weak chin. Many patients may have both nasal and pharyngeal airway obstructions. These patients may develop seizures.

          Seizures is caused by Fay’s Reflex Defense Mechanism. When the brain does not get enough oxygen due to upper airway obstruction, the brain sends a message to go into seizures. This is the last-ditch effort by the body to quickly pump more oxygen into the body and brain. This is supported by Derrick Lonsdale, MD, FACN, CNS. He states that epileptic seizures can be caused by brain hypoxias.

          Many medical issues including seizures may be alleviated just by placing the maxilla and the mandible where God and Nature intended. Check pretreatment and post treatment cephalometric X-ray of a patient that I treated. Notice, post treatment how much the maxillary sinus and the pharyngeal airways enlarged post treatment allowing better respiration.