Open UP: A TMJ Discussion

Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee
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Co-Hosts, Open Up: A TMJ Discussion Dr. Pam Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee team up to bring clarity to one of the most misunderstood pain conditions in healthcare: TMD. Together, they combine more than seven decades of clinical experience, teaching, research, and patient advocacy. Dr. Pam Marzban is a nationally recognized neuromuscular dentist, educator, and lecturer known for her clear, practical explanations and her commitment to patient-centered care. Her work in craniofacial development, airway health, and TMJ biomechanics brings a modern, comprehensive view of TMD to the profession. Dr. Mac Lee practiced dentistry for 50 years and has dedicated his career to helping patients and professionals understand the true mechanical causes of TMD. His work focuses on the compressed condyle, the displaced disc, and the “TMJ Trifecta” that drives most chronic jaw and headache pain. He is the author of The TMJ Trifecta and Life-Robbing Pain: TMD. On their podcast, Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, they break down complex topics in simple terms, share real cases, interview experts, and guide listeners toward better understanding, better questions, and better outcomes. Their goal is straightforward: Help people finally understand why they hurt and help dentists learn what to do about it.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Silent Signs of TMJ in Teenagers (Ep 38)

    In this episode, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee share why jaw clicking, teeth grinding, headaches, and chronic fatigue in children are often early warning signs of deeper airway and jaw development issues. They discuss a real case of a 16-year-old athlete diagnosed with airway constriction and sleep apnea, highlighting the importance of early intervention and how treatments like oral appliances, myofunctional therapy, and growth guidance can help prevent lifelong pain and dysfunction. In this episode, parents will learn: ✔ Why grinding and jaw clicking should never be ignored ✔ The connection between airway health, fatigue, and TMJ ✔ How early treatment can prevent chronic pain later in life ✔ What to look for when choosing the right provider for your child Early diagnosis can transform your child’s future health and prevent years of unnecessary suffering. Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:  Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban. 🎧 Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFS12tfdBM8

    23 min

  2. JAN 30

    If the Diagnosis is Wrong, the Treatment Will Fail (Ep 37)

    In this episode, Pamela and Mac dive deep into one of the biggest reasons TMJ treatment fails: incorrect diagnosis. They break down why so many patients struggle for years without relief and how misdiagnoses from well-intentioned medical doctors and general dentists (who often lack specialized TMJ training) can derail effective care. The conversation explores common conditions TMJ patients are frequently misdiagnosed with, including migraines and trigeminal neuralgia, and explains why these labels can delay proper treatment. Pamela and Mac emphasize the critical role of a comprehensive TMJ evaluation, including CBCT imaging, EMG, TENS, airway assessment, and a well-structured treatment plan tailored to the individual patient. They also discuss a concerning trend: the growing number of teens experiencing jaw pain, popping, and clicking. Potential contributing factors such as mouth breathing, underdeveloped jaws, orthodontic treatment, and airway issues are examined, along with why early and accurate diagnosis matters more than ever. This episode is designed to empower patients, helping them understand what proper TMJ diagnosis looks like, why treatment fails when diagnosis is wrong, and how to identify the right kind of TMJ specialist. If you or someone you love has been stuck in the cycle of failed TMJ treatments, this episode offers clarity, direction, and hope. Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:  Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban. 🎧 Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pk7rej4eM

    17 min

  3. JAN 22

    Jaw Surgery vs Orthotic Therapy (Ep 36)

    In this episode, we’re diving straight into a topic that confuses (and frustrates) a lot of TMJ patients: jaw surgery. Is jaw surgery actually helpful for TMJ pain? When is it truly necessary and when is it not the right answer? And why will insurance companies pay for jaw surgery… but not orthodontic treatment? Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee break down the truth behind jaw surgery, TMJ dysfunction, and the insurance logic that just doesn’t add up. If you’ve ever been told surgery is your only option or you’re wondering why conservative treatments aren’t covered, this is one you don’t want to miss. We’re opening up the real conversation around TMJ, treatment options, and the system that affects your care. Book and Podcast Info:
📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: 
Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee
The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee
Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban 🎧 Podcast Video:

    12 min

  4. JAN 7

    The Link Between Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and TMJ (Ep 35)

    In this episode, Pamela and Mac break down the often-missed connection between TMJ, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea, explaining why these conditions are frequently two expressions of the same underlying issue: an unstable airway and a compensating jaw. They unpack this topic in simple, non-technical terms, helping listeners understand why the jaw may shift, strain, or hurt as the body tries to protect breathing during sleep. The conversation explores how underdeveloped jaws, airway collapse, and nighttime breathing issues can lead to both sleep disruption and daytime TMJ pain and why treating one without addressing the other often falls short. Pamela and Mac also explain how custom sleep appliances can decompress the airway and joints at night, improve breathing, and reduce jaw pain while highlighting why diagnosis, not guesswork, matters. If you’ve been told your TMJ and sleep issues are “separate,” or you snore but also have jaw pain, this episode may change how you see both. Because sometimes, jaw pain isn’t the cause, it’s the clue. Book and Podcast Info: 📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:  Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban 🎧 Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i77wfzzYKUg

    17 min

  5. 2025-12-17

    Is TMJ Genetic or Is Something Triggering It? (Ep 34)

    If TMJ runs in your family, does that mean you’re guaranteed to develop it? In this episode, Pamela and Mac answer one question patients quietly ask but rarely get a clear answer to: Is TMJ genetic, or is something else turning it on? They explain why genetics can load the gun but environment pulls the trigger. From airway issues and mouth breathing to childhood habits that change how the face grows, they break down the missing piece most patients (and even dentists) are never told. If you’ve been told TMJ is “just stress” or “just genetics,” this conversation will help you understand why that explanation doesn’t hold up and why early intervention matters more than people realize. No lectures. No anatomy overload. Just clarity. Book and Podcast Info: 📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:  Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban 🎧 Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyX4bE9Fn7g

    22 min

  6. 2025-12-09

    Retraining the Tongue: Myofunctional Therapy, Tongue Ties & Early Intervention (Ep 33)

    In this episode of Open UP: A TMD Discussion, Dr. Marzban and Dr. Lee sit down with myofunctional therapist Admarys to unpack the critical role muscle function plays in oral health, airway development, and long-term stability. From tongue posture and breathing patterns to crooked teeth, orthodontic relapse, and jaw pain, this conversation explores how poor oral muscle habits can impact both children and adults. They break down what myofunctional therapy really is, how tongue-tie releases work, why post-release exercises matter, and when intervention is truly necessary. The episode also highlights the importance of early evaluation, proper diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach involving dentists, hygienists, doctors, and myofunctional therapists to prevent craniofacial issues, TMD, and sleep-disordered breathing before they worsen. Educational, eye-opening, and patient-focused, this episode challenges traditional orthodontic thinking and emphasizes treating the function, not just the teeth. Book and Podcast Info: 📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban 🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/ylmzjs3nNtY?si=9Jzw5JW5J7b3WaIR

    27 min

  7. 2025-11-19

    TMJ Relief vs. TMJ Cure: What Patients Need to Know (Ep 32)

    In this episode, Pamela and Mac dig into a topic that so many TMJ patients are searching for online: what does “cured” actually mean? They walk through why the word is so complicated in medicine, how it applies to TMJ, and why relief — not perfection — is what most people really want. The conversation weaves through everything from sending simple tech instructions to patients, to the psychology of people seeking quick fixes online, to a breakdown of common TMJ treatments. Pamela and Mac talk honestly about what works, what only masks symptoms, and why finding a dentist who understands true physiologic balance is key. They also map out an upcoming video snippet on easy TMJ pain-relief tips and discuss the role of myofunctional therapy — what it is, why it matters, and why it’s essential before considering something like a tongue-tie release. Listener spoiler: their next guest is Pamela’s own myofunctional therapist, Anna Marisa. Topics covered:     •    Why defining a “TMJ cure” is so complex     •    The difference between symptom relief and structural correction     •    What patients think they want vs. what they actually need     •    Why only a small percentage of dentists truly understand TMJ     •    Temporary fixes vs. long-term functional solutions     •    TMJ pain-relief tips for at-home management     •    What a myofunctional therapist does and why it matters Book and Podcast Info: 📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:  Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban 🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/zCZfK6DhtMA?si=yXSazKdAX_whzxyx #TMJ #TMJPain #TMD #JawPain #TMJRelief #OralHealth #DentalWellness #FacialPain #NasalBreathing #MouthBreathing #OralPosture #FunctionalBreathing #AirwayHealth #PostureMatters #ChronicPain #PainRelief #StressRelief #HealingJourney #SelfAwareness #HolisticDentistry #DrMacLee #DrPamMarzban #LifeRobbingPain #TheTMJTrifecta #CraniofacialDevelopment #FunctionalMedicine

    11 min

  8. 2025-11-04

    4 Simple Ways to Relieve TMJ Pain (Ep 31)

    In this episode, Pamela and Mac dive deep into the causes and relief strategies for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain, a condition that affects millions but is often misunderstood. They explore the powerful connection between oral posture, breathing habits, and chronic pain, breaking down practical ways to ease discomfort naturally. You’ll learn: - How proper oral posture can prevent TMJ flare-ups - Simple daily techniques to relax the jaw and reduce tension - The surprising link between mouth breathing, stress, and chronic pain - Why challenging outdated medical norms can lead to breakthroughs in patient care Pamela also shares her personal journey toward better nasal breathing and her upcoming tonsil evaluation, a reminder that healing often begins with awareness. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or someone struggling with jaw pain, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you find lasting relief. Book and Podcast Info: 📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban: Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban 🎧 Podcast Video:

    12 min
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About

Co-Hosts, Open Up: A TMJ Discussion Dr. Pam Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee team up to bring clarity to one of the most misunderstood pain conditions in healthcare: TMD. Together, they combine more than seven decades of clinical experience, teaching, research, and patient advocacy. Dr. Pam Marzban is a nationally recognized neuromuscular dentist, educator, and lecturer known for her clear, practical explanations and her commitment to patient-centered care. Her work in craniofacial development, airway health, and TMJ biomechanics brings a modern, comprehensive view of TMD to the profession. Dr. Mac Lee practiced dentistry for 50 years and has dedicated his career to helping patients and professionals understand the true mechanical causes of TMD. His work focuses on the compressed condyle, the displaced disc, and the “TMJ Trifecta” that drives most chronic jaw and headache pain. He is the author of The TMJ Trifecta and Life-Robbing Pain: TMD. On their podcast, Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, they break down complex topics in simple terms, share real cases, interview experts, and guide listeners toward better understanding, better questions, and better outcomes. Their goal is straightforward: Help people finally understand why they hurt and help dentists learn what to do about it.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38