Reviv Appliance
Q:
My reason for this email is I would like to find out more about Reviv please. Currently in our office we use Healthy Start, Bioactivators, lab made expanders ETC. I am looking for something more in the sense of something that I can order without needing a Dentist.
MR, RDH
A:
The Reviv appliance was developed by an individual who was experiencing TMJ pain and who has studied Dr. Brendan Stack whom I am very familiar with. He was one of the “greats” in the field of TMJ and Orofacial pain who passed away a few years back.
In fact, I did my Residency training in TMD and Orofacial Pain with several faculty who were students of Dr. Stack.
What concerns me about the premise of the inventor of the appliance is that although the appliance moves the lower jaw forward presumably in an end to end teeth relationship, there is no “objective” position that validates whether it is providing any therapeutic help.
And, since it can be bought online without an examination- it potentially places the diagnosis and treatment in the hands of many individuals who do not have sufficient training to altar jaw growth and development or move teeth predictably.
Anyone can move their jaw forward and experience an improvement in airway through the nose and mouth (if it isn’t anatomically blocked).
The inventor also talks about significantly altering the vertical dimension– there are other appliances on the market from Australia– ie; SOMA- Sleep Orthopedic Myofunctional Appliance– which starts with a high vertical, and a posterior flat plane adjustment until improvement of symptoms. In fact, I’m wearing one now that was custom made for me.
As you know, there are many etiologies of TMJ issues— disc displacement, joint degeneration, muscular spasms, bruxism of various origins, airway collapse- sleep related breathing disorders, genetic or hormonal issues– and there are many more- which it has taken me years to master (and even then I’m still learning!)–
Healthy Start and BioActivators have been around for a long time– and as you know, both have been proven to be effective in early identification and collaborative treatment of children.
In my opinion, although the concept of Reviv appears to be promising, it doesn’t qualify as a treatment that I would have the general public have access to.
I have seen many appliances (bite and boils) on Amazon, and have patients come in with them– and seen some permanent joint and teeth changes that required significant restoration. I would be concerned that it is not FDA cleared– and although the website claims to work on many individuals, personally, I would feel more comfortable using a customized or lab prescribed appliance.
Hope that helps, if not please respond.
Dr. Karen
