Meet TMJ Chicago Dentist, Dr. Ira Shapira
DDS, FICCMOWorking hard to support your highest quality of life.
Philosophy of care
“I like to think of my patients as though they were members of my family. I want them to have the quality of care they can appreciate and that I would expect for myself or my family. That’s why I try to stay current with the latest findings in the fields of Sleep, Temporomandibular Dysfunction.
Dentistry is much more than white teeth but rather about healthy form and function including posture, breathing, and facial contours as well as physiologic health. I utilize the concepts of Personalized Care to treat all of my patients’ needs with cosmetic dentistry being the icing on the cake. I love changing peoples lives in positive ways and I am always delighted when I see patients blossom in unexpected ways after eliminating sleep and pain issues.
I still hope to change the worlds of dentistry and medicine with my patents involving the collection of stem cells from the developing third molar tooth bud that can be used in lieu of embryonic stem cells.”
Personal interests
I love my life with Anna who completes and supports me in many ways. I feel so lucky to have found love and life again with Anna after losing my wonderful wife Elise to ovarian cancer after 40 years together.
Anna and my children and their spouses are a central focus of our life along with our four fantastic grandchildren, Freya, Abby, Gunnar and Ellie.
Special interests
Reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry, implant rehabilitation, dental implants, pain and headache management, TMJ disorders, research and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, anti-aging medicine, and stem cell research for collection of non-embryonic stem cells, for treatment of chronic disease and life extension.
I currently hold four issued patents in this area and hope to make major changes in the practice of anti-aging medicine and be involved in the extension of longer healthier lives.
Education and professional affiliations
- Bachelor of Science, Microbiology Ohio State University
- Doctor of Dental Surgery Loyola University Chicago (1977)
- Fellow of the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics Former International Regent, Lecturer for ICCMO
- Lecturer American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
- Diplomate of the Academy of Pain Management
- Former Assistant Professor at Rush Medical School Sleep Disorder Service
- Charter Member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (originally named Sleep Disorder Dental Society)
- Founding member of DOSA, The Dental Organization for Sleep Apnea
- Credentialed by Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Diplomat American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Graduate of The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- International Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics
- Academy of Computerized Dentistry of North American
- International Academy of Oral Implantology
- American Dental Association
- Chicago Dental Society
- Illinois Dental Society
- Academy of General Dentistry
- American Equilibration Society
- Academy Craniofacial Pain