Dolan Dental — Wethersfield, CT
Kois Deprogrammer in Wethersfield, CT
What Is a Kois Deprogrammer?
A Kois Deprogrammer is a custom-fitted anterior bite appliance developed by Dr. John Kois — one of the most influential clinician-educators in modern dentistry. It is a small, removable acrylic device that fits over your upper front teeth and temporarily prevents your back teeth from touching.
When the posterior teeth are taken out of contact, the jaw muscles lose their learned "muscle memory" — the habitual position your jaw defaults to when you close. Over the course of a few weeks, the muscles relax and the jaw settles into its true, unforced resting position (centric relation). This is the position that reveals whether your bite, in its natural state, is balanced or not.
Why Does It Matter Where Your Jaw Rests?
Most people's jaws don't close straight down. The muscles guide the jaw slightly forward or to one side to avoid a heavy contact — a slide that happens so automatically you never notice it. But the muscles are working to create that slide every time you swallow, chew, or clench. Over years, that low-level strain accumulates.
A Kois Deprogrammer removes the interference that triggers the slide. Once the muscles are fully deprogrammed, Dr. Dolan can record the true bite position and assess whether your teeth, restorations, or existing appliances are built to that position. If they're not, that discrepancy is often the source of chronic symptoms.
What Conditions Can It Help Diagnose?
The deprogrammer itself is a diagnostic tool, not a permanent treatment. Patients often pursue it because of:
- Chronic headaches or migraines that haven't responded to other treatment
- Morning jaw soreness or facial muscle fatigue
- Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw joint (TMJ)
- Worn, chipped, or cracking teeth without an obvious cause
- Clenching or grinding (bruxism) that worsens during stress
- Tooth sensitivity that has no clear restorative explanation
Once the muscle position is stabilized, Dr. Dolan can determine whether equilibration, a nightguard, restorative work, or simply monitoring is the right next step.
How Long Do You Wear It?
The deprogrammer is worn primarily during the day — not at night — for approximately three to four weeks. Daytime wear is essential because the muscles need to be in an active, non-sleeping state to fully deprogram. Most patients adapt within a few days. The device is small and does not significantly affect speech.
After the deprogramming phase, you return for a bite analysis. Dr. Dolan takes records at the deprogrammed position and compares them to your habitual bite. From there, a clear, evidence-based treatment recommendation can be made.
Why Dolan Dental?
Very few general dentists offer the Kois Deprogrammer because it requires specific training in occlusal science. Dr. Brendan Dolan completed his education at the Kois Center in Seattle — a postgraduate program focused on evidence-based diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning. The Kois methodology underpins every bite-related case Dr. Dolan manages, from simple adjustments to full-mouth reconstruction.
If you've been told your jaw pain is "just stress" without a thorough bite evaluation, a consultation with Dr. Dolan may change the picture entirely.
Getting Started
A bite evaluation and deprogrammer consultation typically takes about an hour. Dr. Dolan will review your symptoms, examine your joints and muscles, and determine whether the deprogrammer is the right starting point for your case. Call (860) 529-2000 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Kois Deprogrammer?+
A Kois Deprogrammer is a custom anterior bite appliance developed by Dr. John Kois. It temporarily prevents the back teeth from touching, allowing the jaw muscles to relax and settle into their true resting position. This reveals whether bite imbalance is contributing to jaw pain, headaches, or TMJ symptoms.
How long do I wear the Kois Deprogrammer?+
The deprogrammer is worn during the day — not at night — for approximately three to four weeks. Daytime wear is essential because the muscles need to be active and awake to fully deprogram. Most patients adapt to it within a few days.
Is the Kois Deprogrammer covered by dental insurance?+
Coverage varies by plan. Some insurers classify it as a diagnostic appliance and cover part of the cost; others do not. Our team will review your benefits before your appointment so there are no surprises.
What happens after the deprogramming phase?+
After three to four weeks, you return for a bite analysis. Dr. Dolan records the deprogrammed bite position and compares it to your habitual bite. From there he can recommend equilibration, a nightguard, restorative work, or simply monitoring — depending on what the evaluation reveals.
Does Dr. Dolan have specific training in bite and TMJ treatment?+
Yes. Dr. Brendan Dolan completed advanced training at the Kois Center in Seattle, a postgraduate program focused on evidence-based occlusal diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning. The Kois Deprogrammer is a core diagnostic tool in the Kois methodology.