In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Priya Mistry, a general dentist turned TMJ and TMD specialist who practices in Vancouver, Washington. After 11 years in general dentistry, Priya bought her mentor's TMJ practice in 2021 and has been on a mission ever since to educate both patients and colleagues about the connections between jaw health, airway, facial development, and overall wellness. We dive deep into how modern lifestyle changes, from formula feeding to soft diets to low tongue posture, are reshaping our jaws and contributing to an epidemic of TMJ disorders and sleep-disordered breathing.
Priya explains her neuromuscular treatment approach, the pushback she faces from the dental community, and why she believes TMD is just the tip of the iceberg. We also get into the dogma and ego problems plaguing our profession, what "evidence-based" really means, and why early growth guidance in kids could prevent so much suffering down the road. This is a conversation about challenging orthodoxy, staying humble, and always keeping the patient first.
Chapters:
- 0:00 — Welcome & Dr. Mistry's Background
- 1:33 — Building a TMJ Practice on Social Media
- 3:59 — Dogma, Ego & the Challenges of Speaking Differently
- 17:46 — The Evolution of Malocclusion: From Cavemen to Modern Jaws
- 18:41 — Tongue Position, Nursing & Facial Development
- 23:07 — TMD Is the Tip of the Iceberg: The OSA Connection
- 26:09 — Neuromuscular Dentistry vs. Orofacial Pain
- 30:21 — What "Evidence-Based" Really Means
- 35:39 — Diagnosing & Treating TMJ Patients
- 38:27 — Sleep Studies: Lab vs. Home Testing
- 43:30 — Treatment Approach: Orthotics, Hands-On Therapy & Results
- 50:05 — Early Intervention for Kids: Don't Wait for Straight Teeth
- 55:06 — Closing & Where to Find Dr. Mistry
Links:
- (00:00) - Welcome & Dr. Mistry's Background
- (01:38) - Building a TMJ Practice on Social Media
- (04:04) - Dogma, Ego & the Challenges of Speaking Differently
- (17:36) - The Evolution of Malocclusion: From Cavemen to Modern Jaws
- (18:31) - Tongue Position, Nursing & Facial Development
- (22:57) - TMD Is the Tip of the Iceberg: The OSA Connection
- (25:59) - Neuromuscular Dentistry vs. Orofacial Pain
- (30:11) - What "Evidence-Based" Really Means
- (35:29) - Diagnosing & Treating TMJ Patients
- (38:17) - Sleep Studies: Lab vs. Home Testing
- (43:20) - Treatment Approach: Orthotics, Hands-On Therapy & Results
- (49:56) - Early Intervention for Kids: Don't Wait for Straight Teeth
- (54:56) - Closing & Where to Find Dr. Mistry
What is The DOC Podcast?
The DOC Podcast brings you unique educational content taught by Dr. Mike DeLuke, a Board Certified Orthodontist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. Dr. DeLuke built his orthodontic practice from scratch in the early 2000s and grew it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise in less than 10 years. He was able to retire from his private practice at the age of 46 years old, and now devotes his energy to teaching his colleagues how to succeed both personally and professionally. He also provides locum tenens coverage for colleagues in South Florida.
Dr. DeLuke has served as a faculty member at numerous hospitals and orthodontic residency programs around the country, including as the cleft craniofacial orthodontist at Albany Medical Center in New York, and as a clinical professor at The University of Connecticut in the Department of Orthodontics. He is presently an adjunct professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Healthcare Network and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at Montefiore Einstein Hospital in the Bronx.
The DOC Podcast will bring you in-depth discussions and interviews with industry leaders and experts on a variety of topics, including clinical excellence, practice management, finance and wealth creation, health and wellness, taxes and accounting, fitness, and much more!