Restful Jaw Company Introduces New Medical Device Designed To Curb Malpractice Claims

Minneapolis, MN, October 18, 2015 —What’s the leading cause of dental post-treatment jaw pain? Lack of jaw support during treatment, according to Karen Kloser, CEO of the Restful Jaw Company (RJC). The result, Kloser says, can lead to a malpractice suit against the dental professional.

The Restful Jaw Company is the manufacturer and distributor of the Restful Jaw®, an easy-to-use, clinically-proven device that supports the jaw during treatment. Designed by renowned dental researcher and educator, Eric L Schiffman, D.D.S., the device has been tested in clinical trials for more than a decade.

“Unlike bite blocks which hold your mouth open, this device supports your jaw when downward force is placed on it,” says Kloser. “Patients do not have to tense their jaw muscles to resist the force of their doctor’s or hygienist’s hand on their jaw,” Kloser adds.

According to a recent TMD study, more than 30% of all cases are attributed to opening the jaw too wide, too long, or having too much force on their jaw. Even more alarming, the study found, prolonged mouth opening is associated with a 400 percent increase in TMD issues.

“After 10 years of clinical study,” Kloser says, “dentists and hygienists alike have reported significant improvement in many of their treatment procedures — everything from preventing jaw locking, overextension and the onset or worsening of jaw pain. It’s also been especially effective for movement disorders and involuntary muscle movement.”

Longtime Restful Jaw user, hygienist Lisa A. from Mpls., MN concurs: “It’s a huge plus to have an alternative solution when the patient says their jaw hurts — instead of using more anesthesia!”

But it’s the increase in dental malpractice suits that has focused renewed attention on the Restful Jaw as a way to substantially mitigate post-treatment complications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, the median price tag for a dental malpractice judgment in 2014 is $53,000 – which doesn’t include the cost of legal defense. Dropped and dismissed cases can still cost dentists between $2,000 and $5,000 (or more).

“Dental professionals need every advantage they can to protect themselves from post-treatment lawsuits,” contends Kloser. “We see the Restful Jaw as a device that not only improves patient comfort during and after treatment, but also an effective tool for keeping dentists out of the courtroom.”