Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier TMJ & Sleep Apnea Solutions in San Carlos
Founded in 1975, NorCal TMJ & Sleep Apnea has established itself as Northern California's premier destination for specialized TMJ and sleep apnea treatment. Our practice combines decades of clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology, including advanced 3D scanning systems, to deliver personalized care tailored to each patient's unique needs. Under the leadership of board-certified specialists Dr. Dina Hammouda and Dr. Mark Abramson, we employ holistic, non-invasive treatment methodologies that address both symptoms and root causes. With over 45 years of combined experience in oral medicine and dental sleep medicine, our team provides comprehensive solutions ranging from splint therapy to mandibular advancement devices.Geographically serving from San Francisco to Monterey, we maintain strong professional affiliations with institutions like Stanford University while prioritizing individualized patient care. Our commitment to continuous innovation is evident in proprietary treatments like the OASYS sleep apnea device, and our approach emphasizes measurable outcomes through detailed patient evaluation and follow-up.
Services
TMJ Evaluation
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Invisalign Therapy
Splint Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy
Photobiomodulation
Trigger Point Injections
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- Board-certified specialists with 45+ years combined experience in TMJ and dental sleep medicine
- Innovators in oral appliance therapy with proprietary OASYS device development
- Advanced 3D scanning technology for precise diagnosis and treatment planning
- Holistic, non-invasive approach addressing root causes of TMJ and sleep disorders
- Proven track record with patients from San Francisco to Monterey regions
Associations and certifications
- American Board of Oral Medicine
What people say
Pain relief
Professional care
Prompt treatment
Improved sleep
Compassionate approach
Services
TMJ Evaluation & Treatment
Our comprehensive TMJ assessment identifies structural and functional issues causing jaw pain. Using advanced diagnostic tools and physical examination, we develop personalized treatment plans incorporating splint therapy, muscle injections, and physical therapy techniques. Our board-certified specialists target both immediate pain relief and long-term joint health improvement through non-surgical interventions.
Sleep Apnea Evaluation & Treatment
We provide complete sleep disorder assessments using the latest diagnostic technology to identify obstructive sleep apnea severity. Our customized treatment plans feature oral appliance therapy with proprietary OASYS devices, Nightlase laser treatments, and positional therapy. Our specialists ensure optimal airway function while maintaining comfort during sleep through individualized device fitting and adjustment.
Invisalign Evaluation & Treatment
Our orthodontic assessment determines Invisalign suitability while considering TMJ health. Treatment plans integrate tooth alignment with jaw function optimization to prevent TMJ complications. We monitor progress using 3D imaging technology while ensuring proper bite development throughout the orthodontic process to maintain long-term joint stability.
Splint Therapy
Custom-fabricated splints are designed to decompress TMJ structures and correct muscle imbalances. Our approach combines precise bite registration with material selection for optimal comfort and effectiveness. This non-invasive treatment modality helps establish proper jaw positioning while protecting teeth from bruxism-related damage during the healing process.
Oral Appliance Therapy
We offer advanced oral appliance options for managing sleep-disordered breathing. The proprietary OASYS device features dual-action design to address both airway obstruction and nasal breathing efficiency. Treatment includes comprehensive fitting, adjustment cycles, and follow-up monitoring to ensure sustained therapeutic benefits while maintaining oral comfort and functionality.
People
Dr. Dina Hammouda
Board-Certified Oral Medicine Specialist
With a master's and fellowship from University of Washington, Dr. Hammouda specializes in TMJ disorders and sleep apnea treatment since 2018. She employs holistic approaches combining physical therapy with advanced dental techniques.
Dr. Mark Abramson
Founder & Dental Sleep Medicine Specialist
Practicing since 1975, Dr. Abramson invented the OASYS sleep apnea device and established Stanford's mindfulness clinic. He focuses on holistic TMJ and sleep apnea solutions with over 45 years of clinical experience.
Marilyn
Senior Dental Assistant
With 45 years' experience and 24 years supporting Dr. Abramson, Marilyn provides patient care assistance while managing back-office operations at the clinic.
Questions
What TMJ treatment options do you offer besides surgery?
We prioritize non-surgical approaches including splint therapy, trigger point injections, TENS therapy, and myofunctional exercises to address TMJ disorders conservatively.
Can you treat sleep apnea without CPAP machines?
We specialize in oral appliance therapy with custom devices like the OASYS system as effective non-invasive alternatives to CPAP treatment.
How do you handle emergency TMJ pain?
While we don't have 24/7 emergency services, we prioritize urgent TMJ cases and typically offer same-week appointments for acute pain management.
What sets your clinic apart from general dentists?
As board-certified specialists focusing exclusively on TMJ and sleep disorders, we offer advanced diagnostic tools and treatment modalities not typically available in general dental practices.
How long does TMJ treatment usually take?
Treatment duration varies by severity but typically ranges from 6-12 weeks, combining immediate pain management with long-term structural correction strategies.
Reviews (2)
Brett Elizabeth
Jul 17, 2018
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I was going through an incredibly stressful time in my life due to a death and my own health problems and my job pain was unbearable. Dr. Abramson was so helpful and helped to put me on the right track. He is not just a one stop shop where he just hands out drugs. He really asks the right questions and cares about the whole person. He is incredibly smart, caring, and I highly recommend him.
John Martel
Jan 24, 2014
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I have been diagnosed for years with severe sleep apnea. After going through 3 overnight sleep sessions at a sleep center and having utterly failed with three different CPAP masks, I was referred to Dr. Abramson. He and his staff worked with me patiently until my problem was solved with the Oasis dental appliance. I now awake more energized and my wife also sleeps better now that I don't snore. Dr. Abramson was incredibly patient and generous with his time. He worked with me without additional fee until together, we achieved success. His staff is a delight, combining competence with courtesy. I
