Stephen Olmos

An outstanding specialist with more than 40 years of experience in dentistry, of which he has devoted the last three decades to the treatment of craniofacial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions and breathing-related sleep disorders. His name has become synonymous with minimally invasive approaches to address snoring, sleep apnea, and chronic facial pain. He is known for developing the innovative Olmos System, integrating diagnosis and therapy to achieve predictable long-term results without surgery.

Dr. Olmos' education began with a bachelor's degree in biology from Pepperdine University (1976), then he graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1981 with a DDS. He went on to complete more than 4500 hours of postgraduate training in oral and maxillofacial dysfunction and sleep medicine. He is the founder of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres International, which includes more than 70 licensed centers in 7-9 countries. Since 2023, he has completed his clinical practice and focused on educational and research activities, serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry.

Stephen Olmos' scientific publications cover a wide range of topics related to the interaction of pain, breathing, and sleep. Among them are studies on the use of orthodontic appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea, the effect of nasal breathing on jaw function, as well as protocols for minimizing orthodontic recurrences. His work has been published in the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, Sleep and Breathing , and Orthodontic Practice. Notable works include Diagnosis & Treatment of TM Disorders (Volumes I–III, 2004), Airway Management: A Solution for Our Health Crisis (2019), and The Effects of Condyle Fossa Relationships on Head Posture (2005) and Use of Sibilant Phoneme Registration Protocol to Prevent Upper Airway Collapse (2007). His publications are cited in international sources and confirm his leadership in the integration of dentistry and sleep medicine.

Dr. Olmos is a sought-after speaker, including Dental World 2025 in Budapest, the Pacific Dental Conference, and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain symposia. He conducts lectures and mini-residencies, as well as webinars on diagnosis and treatment using the Olmos System. Its educational programs bring together hundreds of specialists around the world, helping to introduce interdisciplinary approaches into practice.

Key achievements and awards
— Founder of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centers International (70+ centers in 9 countries)
– Development of the Olmos System for non-surgical treatment of TMJ and sleep apnea
– Fellowship at the Academy of Dentistry International (2008)
– Haden-Stack Award from AACP for contributions to TMJ and pain education (2008)
– Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian Dental Association (AIO, 2023)
– World's Top 100 Doctors (2021)

Main publications
— Diagnosis & Treatment of TM Disorders (Volumes I–III, 2004)
— Airway Management: A Solution for Our Health Crisis (2019)
— «The Effects of Condyle Fossa Relationships on Head Posture» (Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, 2005)
— «Use of Sibilant Phoneme Registration Protocol to Prevent Upper Airway Collapse» (Sleep and Breathing, 2007)
— «CBCT in the Evaluation of Airway – Minimizing Orthodontic Relapse» (Orthodontic Practice, 2015)

Accomplishments
– More than 4500 hours of postgraduate education
– President of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (formerly)
– Development of protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ dysfunctions
– Contribution to the study of the relationship between pain, breathing and sleep

Skills taught
– Diagnosis and therapy of craniofacial pain and TMJ dysfunctions
– Treatment of sleep apnea with dental appliances
– Analysis of nasal breathing and correction of influencing factors
– Motor reflex testing in the diagnosis of jaw dysfunctions
– Use of CBCT for airway assessment and recurrence prevention

The significance for specialists of Otexe.com lies in the fact that the courses and lectures of Dr. Stephen Olmos provide unique knowledge about functional dentistry and sleep medicine. His approach allows dentists to integrate the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ and respiratory disorders into daily practice, increasing the effectiveness of therapy and improving the quality of life of patients.