Meet Dr. Mike

Dr. Mike Gallagher DDS-Gallagher Dentistry and Facial Pain Center-Best TMJ Dentist-Eden Prairie-Top Rated TMJ Doctor

Dr. Michael Gallagher, D.D.S
Dentist & Practice Owner

Our Mission: “To rejuvenate our patient’s dental health and appearance by providing the highest quality least invasive dentistry available, by giving our patients the information necessary to choose a lifetime of dental health.”

Gallagher Dentistry & Facial Pain Center have a caring, well organized, and knowledgeable team with strong clinical and personal values.

“I really enjoy what I do. Seeing how happy patients become after rejuvenating their smile is incredibly rewarding for me.”

DR. GALLAGHERS TMJ TREATMENT JOURNEY

In this video, Dr. Gallagher gives an overview of his TMJ treatment journey and why he is so passionate about helping TMJ patients get out of pain and get back to enjoying life again.

About Dr. Mike

Hello, I’m Dr. Mike Gallagher, DDS and I have been practicing General & Cosmetic Dentistry since 1987 with a special emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of complex TMJ patient cases involving degenerating chewing systems using Bioesthetic Principles.

If you are looking for answers to your TMJ/TMD pain and suffering, I want to help. I am passionately focused on TMJ/TMD treatment. TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is a terrible affliction which affects the joint that connects your jawbone to the temporal bones of your skull. Patients who have this condition usually suffer from a tremendous amount of pain and debilitating symptoms and have a hard time finding the right treatment.

My Journey in Working with TMJ/TMD
It began many years ago when I started coming across a lot of patients who were experiencing TMJ issues. After chatting with the patient, I would usually end up referring them to another medical office. The patients would eventually return and inform me of the treatment they were prescribed, which was usually nothing more than a bite splint and diet change. These treatment plans were ineffective at resolving the true cause of the problem and eventually their symptoms would return.

This was heartbreaking to watch. These people were in terrible pain and the treatment they were being given was simply inadequate. I felt that there had to be a better solution, so I began looking for answers. Over the following years, I enrolled in numerous continuing education courses and spent thousands of hours learning about jaw joint and muscle disorders. These courses were taught by some of the most knowledgeable experts in the country. Since then, I’ve taken what I learned and applied it to my practice. The results have been nothing short of astounding.

We’ve seen patients go from experiencing constant pain to being pain-free, from experiencing stressful jaw problems to having stable and functioning TMJ’s. It has been a truly amazing experience and more rewarding than I ever imagined.

If you are unclear about why you have received a diagnosis or why you have been given a certain treatment plan, you may benefit from my initial 2nd opinion consultation for $150. A second opinion can validate the reasons behind a certain course of action, reveal new information, or provide answers to lingering questions.

I am eager to help you onto the path of recovery. During your visit, I will conduct a thorough evaluation and examination so you can get the accurate diagnosis you need. We’ll take all the necessary steps to fill in the gaps such as obtaining additional x-rays or have your existing information sent over to review. If you have questions about your diagnosis, treatment plan, or dental health in general, I’ll be happy to answer them and provide my thoughtful opinion.

MAGO Splint Therapy For TMJ
Since 1987, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous patients suffering from TMD. I can confidently tell you that in my experience, I have never seen a treatment modality more successful than MAGO Therapy and that is why I use this treatment protocol at my practice today. Not only is MAGO Therapy non-invasive and non-surgical, but improvement is also quite fast. Many of my patients are able to obtain relief from their symptoms in just a few short weeks. Here’s more information on MAGO Splint Therapy.

Biologic & Minimally Invasive Dental Treatments
The final phase in the treatment process once we have a diagnosis is to restore your dental system back to full health. We can do this by correcting any biologic issues at hand with holistic, minimally invasive treatments. Your treatment plan may include several components, but rest assured that we will be as conservative as possible. Not only will this help you remain comfortable throughout the process, but it will also provide you with better, longer lasting results. Here’s more information on BioRejuvenation Dentistry.

Professional Training
For over 25 years I have dedicated my time and energy to studying, researching, and learning about this challenging condition. I have had the privilege to undergo extensive training with some of the top educators such as the Dawson Center, Dr. Frank Spears, the Schuster Center, and was part of the pilot group with The Texas Center for Occlusal studies (which is now The Stewart Center for Minimally Invasive Dental Medicine,) and OBI Foundation for Bioesthetic Dentistry. I’m also involved with multiple local and national study groups focusing on implant dentistry. Success to me means, “Doing the least amount of dental work necessary to solve my patients concerns so they love their new smile and are comfortable for their lifetime.”

In 2021, I began the journey to gain even more knowledge and expertise to further advance my skills in the “Diagnosis” and “Treatment” of complex patient cases involving degenerating chewing systems using Bioesthetic Principles and began training at the OBI (Orognathic Bioesthetics International) Foundation for Bioesthetic Dentistry, which focuses on complete dental restorative treatment for patients who have (TMJ) temporomandibular joint issues.

I wanted to be able to better help my patients and I wanted to be able to do more for them to bring health, wellness, and vitality back to their life. As a lifelong learner I believe strongly in continuing education. I encourage my patients to learn more, and I believe they expect me to do the same. I make it a priority to invest and attain advanced training and continuing education in my profession. I’m committed to increasing my knowledge and enhancing my skills in this specialized area of dentistry.

OBI Level 3 “Bioesthetic Treatment” Graduate
Dr.-Michael-Gallagher-DDS-OBI-Level-3-Graduate
I have completed and graduated from OBI’s Level 3 “Bioesthetic Treatment” curriculum, which focused on the Bioesthetic diagnostic process, conservative treatment options, development of an ideal treatment plan, and full completion of stabilization and restoration on an actual patient.

The three Tenets of Bioesthetic Treatment are:
(1) To stabilize the jaw in the jaw joint
(2) Make sure the front teeth function properly to guide the jaw and clear the back teeth in movement and all contact when the jaw is seated in the joint
(3) To restore the teeth to their biologic ideal anatomic form and function.

Over more than two decades, I’ve been able to successfully treat hundreds of patients who suffer from TMJ/TMD and witnessed first-hand the remarkable difference that the right treatment plan can make in someone’s life. Patients who once dealt with terrible jaw and face pain, on a daily basis, are able to find relief from their symptoms and experience a completely different quality of life.

I’m truly excited about the new opportunities from achieving the Level 3 training curriculum and look forward to treating more complex patient cases involving degenerating chewing systems and creating beautiful new teeth that function properly and look amazing.

Family Is Everything!
In my personal life, I love to spend time with my beautiful wife Vickie, and our grandchildren. We enjoy time on our boat, being on a beach, a ski hill or in a hunting blind. Yes, Vickie goes with me sometimes.

Professional Credentials & Memberships




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AVAILABLE!



Schedule your Hygienist appointment in just 1-2 weeks! Despite the recent news coverage about Hygienist shortages across Minnesota, it’s NOT impacting us at Gallagher Dentistry & Facial Pain Center. We can help, we are welcoming new patients and would love to be your dental team! 

 Contact Us At (952) 942-9600 Today!
 
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