Health Profile

Health Profile By Julie Jacobs, photo by Dan Epstein Dr. Kevin F. Muench, DMD, MAGD Empathy Spurs Dedication to Patients Dentist focuses on "whole mouth" health evin F. Muench, DMD, MAGD, can truly empathize with his patients. As a dental student, he began experiencing excruciating jaw pain. Fellow students used him as a model, but were unable to alleviate his severe discomfort. Eventually, he found relief through the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Florida—and then studied in the renowned program. ere, he learned to focus on comprehensive care, treating the mouth as an entire system—teeth, gums, joints, muscles, and how they all work together. Today, he applies the "whole mouth" approach to his own practice, named among the best in the state by New Jersey Monthly. His goal is to enable patients' mouths to work together as unified, healthy systems. "I've felt the same pain and frustration of my patients," he says. "Now I consider everything before coming up with a treatment plan." Recently, the dentist acquired the T-Scan system, an advanced technology that digitally helps determine whether a bite is balanced. e patient bites down on a digital wafer, which then produces a printout guiding the dentist in adjusting and correcting the bite as needed. An unstable bite can cause pain, gum disease, tooth loss, headaches, the cracking of teeth and restorations. It also can cause or worsen TMJ Disorder. "If the jawbone isn't centered, the muscles have to work harder, causing the jaw to pop and the muscles to spasm," he says. "It's like having a car with an imbalanced tire." Dr. Muench's Maplewood office offers the full range of adult and pediatric dental services, including preventive, aesthetic and restorative care—all backed by his extensive knowledge. After thorough exams, Dr. Muench recommends treatments that can be as simple as filing teeth to help them move smoothly—or as complex as a multispecialist correction. For example, he combines a variety of therapies to treat TMJ; the goal is to relax the mouth muscles, eliminate jaw pain and headaches, and reduce stress on the teeth—sparing his patient pricey dental work down the road. "We make sure your whole mouth is working right," he says. Dentistry seems to be in Dr. Muench's genes; his father, uncle, cousin, K and great-uncle are all dental professionals. But it's also in his heart. A graduate of New Jersey Dental School, in the years since, Dr. Muench has amassed an astonishing 2,000 credits, including 1,500 credits to earn the Academy of General Dentistry's master's degree, an elite award (and MAGD title) for dentists who continue to learn throughout their careers. " e day you stop learning, you're done," he says, "especially in dentistry, where you need to develop new skills and be mentored by those who have worked before you." Dr. Muench practices what he preaches. He is currently enrolling in the Pankey Institute's scholars program, which admits only top dental professionals. And just as he was once helped, he'll continue to use his "whole mouth" technique to keep his patients healthy—and to relieve pain even in those who had given up hope. "I'll do everything I can to find a solution," says Dr. Muench. "I assess the entire situation, and I want to do it really well. I care deeply, and I'm happier in my career today than I've ever been." And in the end, it's Dr. Muench's patients who reap the benefits of this unwavering dedication.  Kevin F. Muench, DMD, MAGD 140 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood • 973-763-2221 www.kevinmuench.com Layout Comp February 2010 SUBURBAN ESSEX / VICINITY VicinityMagazine.com 1 43

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