Patient Referrals

ira shapira chicagoHello. My name is Ira L. Shapira. In addition to practicing general dentistry for over 43 years, I have dedicated my career to the treatment of TMJ and sleep disorders as well as chronic head, neck and facial pain. This has been my passion.

Since 1980, I have had long term affiliations with organizations committed to research studies and treatment of patients suffering with TMJ and Sleep disorders. These associations include the American Academy of Pain Management, the International College of Cranio Mandibular Orthopedics, the American Equilibration Society, the American  Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Disorder Dental Society. As a visiting assistant professor at Rush Medical School in 1985, I participated in research in the study of jaw positions in sleep apnea patients and similarities to jaw positions in TMJ patients.

In late 2015, I achieved a life long goal and opened a new office in Highland Park Il dedicated solely to serving patients who suffer from chronic pain and sleep apnea. My aim is to continue treating TMJ, sleep and chronic pain patients in this location upon retirement from my general dentistry practice.

My new office allows me to better serve all my long distance patients, both from across the US and international.  It is also an excellent location for my other passion, teaching dentists and physicians how to alleviate pain.

I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to explore the possibilities of partnering together in providing relief to your patients who suffer from chronic pain or sleep apnea. Please feel free to call me should you wish to learn more about how I may be of assistance  to  you and your patients. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMO
Chair, American Alliance of TMD Organization

Download ThinkBetterLife Referral Form (PDF)

tmj_chicago_referral_form_dr_shapira_think_better_life

I have been a patient for over 15 yrs. When I came to Dr. Shapira I was in very bad TMJ pain. He and his staff worked with me for hours and when I left that day the pain was gone. I continued treatment until my bite was fully corrected and not only that but thanks to Dr Shapira’s talent in cosmetic dentistry, my teeth look more beautiful then they ever have. Dr Shapira and the staff continue to gain education on the most innovative ways to help people look and feel good. The staff there are very kind and I always so cared for when I go for my appointments.

Michelle H.

I cannot imagine my dental work ever being done by any other dentist than Dr. Shapira!! I have been seeing higm for several years to help correct my sleep apnea. I cannot tolerate CPap so Dr. Shapira created an oral device that has literally been saving my life!!! I am a high risk patient and absolutely swear that I might not even be here if it weren’t for this incredible Doctor! He knows more about medicine from all different perspectives than most of my doctors and has exceptional skill in the practice of dentistry!! I truly believe this man is also a philosopher, a practitioner in natural remedies and has become a very special person in my life. Don’t even bother seeing any other dentist cause after you have seen Dr. Shapira you will be horribly disappointed!!

Charlene Brown (review from Google)

Terrific place for Dental and TMJ healing…I’ve been a patient for 13 years. Not only did they fix my cavities very well, but the incredible relief from my jaw problems was unexpected. My jaw would sometimes lock up on one side, and Dr. Ira discovered that my bite was misaligned. I had the painless TENS treatment, wore a plastic appliance made for my mouth (like a retainer), and then my jaw was fixed, my bite was fixed, and my jaw pain was gone!!
Better still, this treatment apparently also aligned my sinuses, because my life-long sinus congestion disappeared. AND, I no longer require a small shim my right shoe for which I had long ago been diagnosed as having needed “because” one leg was longer than the other — which is no longer the case! Alignment works! This is a great place to get healed for life!!

Marty S.

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