Shab Krish, DDS, MS, DABDSM, DABCP, DABCDSM

There’s no doubt in Shab Krish’s mind what led her to her special interest in TMJ and sleep therapy. It was her own years of suffering with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) with no help in sight. As a double specialist in periodontics and endodontics, Dr. Krish founded Associates in Periodontics, Implantology, and Endodontics and her practice thrived for over 25 years. But when she found no relief for her own pain, she began an extensive study of TMD, sleep-disordered breathing, and craniofacial pain.

After over 20,000 hours of continuing education and obtaining board certifications with the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Krish wanted to provide patients with the relief that once eluded her. “I decided to devote all my time to exclusively treating TMJ, craniofacial pain, and sleep disorders,” she said. TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of North Texas was born.

Dr. Krish advocates a holistic approach to care, considering the whole patient, not just their symptoms or diagnosis. “For years, I saw patients who were suffering with TMJ, but I didn’t realize it,” she said. “The longer the condition goes untreated, the worse it can get, often leading to insomnia or inadequate sleep because of the pain or attempts to self-medicate. Or the same incorrect breathing that’s causing your TMJ may also be causing your sleep disorder. You can’t breathe, so you start clenching and grinding your teeth, which overworks the joint. So, patients are living with pain and sleep deprivation, which greatly affects their quality of life.”

Patients are referred to TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of North Texas by their dentist, ENT, pediatrician, or other medical specialist. Dr. Krish has invested in the latest, cutting-edge diagnostic technology to evaluate their airways and other symptoms to offer them a comprehensive diagnosis. “Patients can see me as often as they need to,” she said. “When young children who are still developing have untreated sleep disorders, they won’t develop correctly craniofacially. Early intervention — or intervention at any age — can make all the difference.”

That intervention can mean a custom orthotic device to address their sleep disorder, injections in the overworked joint, or laser therapy. Or Dr. Krish may refer them to the appropriate specialist for more specialized care. “I also counsel patients on proper nutrition which is important no matter their complaint,” she said. “By the time a patient makes it to my practice, we’re often addressing multiple issues. We don’t want to just treat symptoms but always look for the root cause of their problems. Many patients simply have no idea how well they can breathe because their breathing has been diminished for so long.”

When not on the job, Dr. Krish enjoys cooking, reading, taking voice and piano lessons, and spending time with her husband and grown children.