#91 – Dr. Reza Movahed – TMJ Stability Determines Your Jaw Surgery Success

In this episode, I reconnect with Dr. Reza Movahed, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in St. Louis, MO, who performs 90 to 100 total TMJ joint replacement surgeries per year, ranking among the most experienced joint surgeons worldwide. He shares his personal journey through three jaw surgeries that transformed his approach to patient care and surgical planning. We discuss idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR), why certain patients are at higher risk for double jaw surgery failure, and when total joint replacement becomes essential. Dr. Movahed details his bone grafting methods, collaboration with top orthodontists, and how counterclockwise rotation with joint replacement achieves superior esthetic and functional results. He also highlights his MCO mandibular expansion device, the role of DISE in planning, and long-term joint data proving decades of success.Contact Dr. Reza Movahedhttps://www.instagram.com/movahedomshttps://movahedoms.com/1:1 Coaching with Ron — Now Inside The Jointhttps://jawhacks.com/coachingJawHacks Newsletter (Substack)https://substack.com/@jawhacksAnd More on the Websitehttps://jawhacks.com/Timestamps00:00:00 - Introduction00:05:00 - What Is Total TMJ Joint Replacement Surgery?00:11:42 - The Joint as Your Foundation: ICR Explained00:15:35 - Which Patients Are at High Risk for Relapse00:22:25 - Dr. Movahed's Personal Story: Three Jaw Surgeries for OSA00:30:46 - Why Most Surgeons Avoid Joint Surgery00:33:39 - Case Study: Two Failed Double Jaw Surgeries00:40:03 - Grafting Techniques: Using the Patient's Own Bone00:46:12 - Extreme Reconstruction: Goldenhar Syndrome Case00:55:31 - Esthetics and Function: PEEK Implants and Facial Harmony01:02:14 - Segmental Surgery and Counterclockwise Rotation01:10:51 - The Critical Orthodontist-Surgeon Relationship01:20:28 - Custom Plating and Locking Screw Technology01:30:02 - Post-Op Protocol: Nutrition, Steroids, and Minimal Swelling01:38:34 - History of Jaw Surgery: Dr. Wolford's Legacy01:46:25 - The Art of Surgical Planning: Precision and Collaboration01:54:31 - Why Counterclockwise Rotation Was Revolutionary02:05:01 - DISE: Predicting Surgical Outcomes with Sleep Endoscopy02:18:45 - Surgical Planning: Frankfurt Horizontal and Neck Posture02:26:30 - Joint Longevity: 38 Years of Data and Minimal Wear02:40:30 - Virtual Surgical Planning: From CT Scan to Custom Joint02:51:24 - MCO Device: Patent-Pending Mandibular Expansion03:03:29 - Patient Collaboration: Avoiding Surgical Planning Mistakes03:20:18 - Maxillomandibular Expansion Before MMA SurgeryNO MEDICAL OR DENTAL ADVICE. Ronald Ead and JAWHACKS, LLC, dba JawHacks (collectively, “we”) does not give medical advice. We are not licensed medical professionals. The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided in this video is solely at your own risk. We make no representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. You should not use these materials to diagnose or treat any health issues, illnesses or diseases. In addition, we do not recommend or endorse any provider of health care or health-related products, items, or services.