MDDr. Marek Vlna, MSc, AAACD
Slovakia
It starts with a click
Abstract
Some things in the dental office sound innocent. And yet, they trigger a cascade.
One little click – and suddenly we’re knee-deep in diagnoses, recommendations, treatments, and fear.
This lecture is not about technique.
It’s about what we sometimes forget. About connections. About stories.
About patients we want to help – but sometimes, maybe, we help a little too much.
Most patients with temporomandibular disorders experience pain that is complex, layered, and closely tied to how they feel and live.
This lecture offers a contemporary look at TMJ disorders within the context of clinical reality, diagnostic options, and therapeutic approaches.
We’ll explore what happens at the beginning – and what tends to follow.
And maybe, we’ll talk about when doing nothing might actually be the right choice.
Are we truly ready to see our patients as people – and not just as joints, teeth, or bites?
MDDr. Marek Vlna, MSc, AAACD has over 14 years of experience and specializes in aesthetic dentistry, worn dentition, and the treatment of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). He is the founder of Dentalis, a clinic built on the principle of patient-centered care – focused not only on teeth, but on the person behind them.
He completed a postgraduate program in orofacial pain and TMD at the University of Siena (Italy). He is an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a Certified Member of the Czech Academy of Dental Aesthetics.
He lectures in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, primarily on aesthetic rehabilitation, bruxism, and TMD. He also leads his own courses under the Dentalis Education platform. His lectures combine science, clinical reality, and a patient-centered approach to patient care – with an emphasis on interdisciplinary context and respect for each patient’s individual story.
He is a reviewer for the scientific journal CRANIO and a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. Outside of family and clinical life, he is a dedicated triathlete, driven by the same challenge he seeks in medicine – finding balance in complexity and living a meaningful life.