More Smiles Dental Spa Dentistry Blog | James A. Moreau, Jr., D.D.S.

Representatives from Fox Sports came to the office yesterday to borrow our prototypes of the Saints mouthguards. So they may be doing a segment on the PPM's during tomorrow's broadcast of the Saints game. Heads up, and watch for our mouthguards on TV.
-Julie

Here's a link to an article on the front page of the L.A. Times sports section today, November 6th. It's a nice write-up on the PPM mouthguards. Other internet links are also available on the search engines.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nfl-farmer6-2009nov06,0,7429686.column

I should also mention that the same science that was used to make the New Orleans Saints PPM (Pure Power Mouthguards) is also used (in fact was developed primarily) to help patients who suffer from headaches, neck and shoulder pain and other symptoms related to Temporamandibular Disorder, or TMJ disorder.

Only dentists like Dr. Moreau who are trained in neuromuscular dentistry techniques at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies can be certified to provide Pure Power Mouthguards. It is a very sophisticated device custom designed for each athlete using EMG scans to find that individual's most comfortable position for alignment of neurons and muscles from head and neck throughout the body.

There is no other device like this on the market, nor will there ever be. Some companies have tried to develop something similar and are marketing it as the equivalent, but there is no science behind their product. I'm told that the Saints actually tried the imposter brand previously and deemed it to be garbage.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis then heard about the PPM's and asked Jonathan Vilma, who had brought his PPM with him when he was traded to New Orleans, if he liked his device. Based on his recommendation and a personal meeting with Dr. Makkar (PPM inventor), Loomis gave the green light for the Saints, and that's when we were invited in to do the PPM process for Saints players.

The TENSing and EMG scans are something Dr. Moreau does every day in our office in the course of treating TMJ patients and also in creating durable, long-lasting smile makeovers for our patients (long-lasting because we focus on the correct bite and function as well as the aesthetics).

We are tickled black and gold to be able to apply this technology in a way that may be helping our beloved New Orleans Saints in this dream season! GEAUX SAINTS!!

-Julie

Yup, we were right! John Gruden and his cohorts talked for several minutes last night about the Saints mouthpieces. His colleagues explained that the mouthguards (Pure Power Mouthguards, or PPM) are supposed to increase flexibility, strength and balance...all important skills for athletes of any sport, I might add.

They did a good job of explaining how we can demonstrate by doing a simple "pen test" how proper alignment of the bite translates to the spinal column to improve the athlete's performance.

Gruden said he's "coached against these guys" and he's never seen them jump so high and run so fast.

Power to the PPM!

We hear a rumor that the PPM's (Pure Power Mouthguards) we made for the New Orleans Saints may be featured on Monday Night Football tomorrow night.

The company, Makkar Advantage, is keeping details somewhat secretive, but we do know the the inventor of the PPM's, Dr. Anil Makkar, has been in New Orleans this weekend and has been in contact with Dr. Moreau regarding the details of our work with the Saints. Dr. Makkar was also meeting with Monday Night Football Analyst John Gruden to fit him for a PPM.

So, when (not if) you're watching Monday Night Football tomorrow night and you hear John Gruden start talking about the Saints mouthguards, pay close attention and you'll know what we've been up to. The mouthguards can be easily ID'd by the distinctive oval shaped "PPM" logo on the front of them. Most are either black or gold, a few are clear (usually for the lower teeth), and one notable exception was the crimson colored one I suggested for my fellow Alabama alum, Roman Harper.

Golf, triathalons, tennis, wrestling and martial arts are some of the other applictions of the various forms of this oral appliance. Based on neuromuscular dentistry science, the PPM applies to virtually all sports and has been shown to improve performance through increased flexibility, strength and balance.

Only dentists who are very experienced at treating temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders, neck and shoulder pain with neuromuscular dentistry can be certified to perform this service. Dr. Moreau is the only PPM-certified dentist in the New Orleans area, and is one of only three in Louisiana and Mississippi.

See other recent blogs about the PPM mouthguards and the neuromuscular dentistry science behind them below.

-Julie