The jaw joint (or temporomandibular joint) is not a fixed hinge, but a more complex structure where the location of the axis of rotation changes and simultanously translates as the jaws opens.
Meet Philip H. Levy, DDS
Developer of the "Levy Lingual Shelf," and a noted lecturer, teacher and clinician, Dr. Levy has made an intensive study of the stomatognathic system.
A 22-page monograph by Dr. Philip Levy explanding upon his presntation in the Symposium on "An Alterable Centric Relation In Denistry." Includes case studies of patients and follow-up care for up to 11 years post-treatment.
Dr. Philip Levy was a Guest Editor for a Symposium on "An Alterable Centric Relation In Denistry" published in the July 1975 issue of the Dental Clinics of North America.
The issue includes 10 articles contributed by respected educators and researchers in the fields of physiology, anatomy, endocrinology, and history.
A Voice for Progressive Dentistry
Philip H. Levy, DDS has been a strong advocate for the concept of an alterable centric relation and its application in the treatment of patients suffering from TMJ disorders. He has participated actively in symposiums, conferences and meetings of dental groups, as well as lecturing extensively on the subject through the years.
He has also had an on-going campaign of writing letters to influential “dental experts” and others, in order to promulgate the concept of an alterable centric relation. Below are a sampling of his letter-writing efforts over the years, which provide additional context for the centric relation dialog.
Letter to Dr. Donald Rinchuse (PDF), July 2006, in response to Dr. Rinchuse’ article in the April issue of the JADA
Response (PDF), by Dr. Donald Rinchuse.
Letter to Dr. Michael Alfano (PDF), Dean of the Dental College of New York University, 2002.
Second Letter to Dr. Michael Alfano (PDF), Dean of the Dental College of New York University, 2002.
Letter to Dr. James McNamara (PDF), Dr. McNamara was a contributor to The Dental Clinics of North America, July 1975 issue.
Letter to Susan Ferraro (PDF), Ms. Ferraro wrote an article in the New York Times about her experience as a dental patient with TMJ. Her article shows how she was misdiagnosed and treated with a symptom-masking dental splint.
Letter to Reint M. Reyenders, DDS, MSc (PDF), Written in response to Dr. Reyenders’ article “Orthodontics and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders” in the American Journal of Orthodontists and Dentofacial Orthopedics. This letter was published in the Journal’s January 1991 issue.