Interviewer: Dr. Raz, many practices talk about functional dentistry, but your office is often described as practicing it “at the highest level.” What does functional dentistry mean to you today?

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Dr. Mehrdad Razaghy:
Functional dentistry, in its true form, is about understanding how a patient actually moves—not how we assume they move. It means designing dentistry around real-life function: chewing, speaking, swallowing, parafunction, and joint dynamics. For us, function is inseparable from esthetics. A beautiful smile that ignores bite and occlusion will eventually fail. That mindset is what led us to fully integrate MODJAW into our diagnostic and restorative workflow.

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Interviewer: Many dentists still rely on traditional bite records and articulators. Why wasn’t that enough for you?

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Dr. Raz:
Traditional bite records are static snapshots of something that is inherently dynamic. The jaw doesn’t function in one position—it moves continuously. Static records can’t capture that complexity. MODJAW changed everything because it allows us to record real-time mandibular motion, giving us precise data on how a patient’s bite and occlusion behave during function. Once you see that level of information, it’s impossible to go back.

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Interviewer: For patients unfamiliar with it, how would you explain MODJAW in simple terms?

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Dr. Raz:
MODJAW is a digital jaw-motion tracking system that records how the lower jaw moves in real time. It captures opening, closing, lateral movements, chewing cycles, and functional pathways. Instead of guessing how a patient’s bite works, we can see it—accurately and objectively. This data then feeds directly into our treatment planning, whether we’re doing veneers, crowns, implant restorations, or full-mouth rehabilitation.

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Interviewer: How has MODJAW specifically elevated your approach to functional dentistry and occlusion?

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Dr. Raz:
It has made our approach measurable and predictable. Occlusion is no longer theoretical—it’s data-driven. We can identify interferences, asymmetries, and functional patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed. This allows us to design restorations that respect muscle balance, joint health, and long-term stability. As a result, our patients experience fewer post-treatment adjustments, less muscle fatigue, and significantly improved comfort.

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Interviewer: Has MODJAW changed the way you plan complex cases?

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Dr. Raz:
Absolutely. For full-mouth rehabilitation, MODJAW is invaluable. It allows us to align facial esthetics, vertical dimension, and functional occlusion in a unified plan. We’re not just restoring teeth—we’re restoring a system. Even in cosmetic cases, like veneers or smile makeovers, we use MODJAW to ensure that esthetic changes work harmoniously with the patient’s functional bite.

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Interviewer: Your practice is known for integrating technology with an in-house lab. How does MODJAW fit into that ecosystem?

 

Dr. Raz:
That integration is key. Because we have an in-house lab, MODJAW data can be immediately translated into design decisions. Our technicians aren’t guessing—they’re working from real functional recordings. This collaboration allows us to fabricate restorations that are esthetically refined and functionally precise from day one.

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Interviewer: What do patients notice most when functional dentistry is done this way?

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Dr. Raz:
Patients often tell us their bite feels “natural” or “effortless.” They notice less tension, fewer headaches or jaw discomfort issues, and a sense that their teeth simply belong in their mouth. That’s the ultimate goal of functional dentistry—dentistry that disappears into normal function rather than calling attention to itself.

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Interviewer: Finally, where do you see the future of functional dentistry heading?

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Dr. Raz:
The future is dynamic data. Tools like MODJAW are moving dentistry away from assumptions and toward precision. Practices that embrace functional diagnostics—bite analysis, occlusion tracking, jaw-motion data—will deliver better outcomes and longer-lasting dentistry. At Oral Design Beverly Hills, MODJAW isn’t an add-on; it’s a core part of how we practice functional dentistry at the highest level today.

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