Arthur L. Parker, DMD

When I first saw this dentist, I was impressed. After all, he gave me a discount and only charged cost for his appliance. And his Curriculum Vitae looked really nice. A lot of giving. I checked his record, and he had one infraction. Caused some issues practicing traditional dentistry. Oh well, one mistake right?
Then, I was in a wheelchair and went in, and no one helped open the door. After my brief appt, which wasn’t supposed to have a fee (they told me that), I was billed for an appliance that broke and smelled so toxic, my then 10-​year-​old advised me not to use it. I got something from the store that worked better.
He charges oodles of money for patients that «have it.» It’s insanely expensive. I appreciated the kindness on the way in, but don’t expect much beyond that and a few visits that don’t help. Go online and buy a retainer made. They send you the mold. It will likely work for many and save money. Nothing special here.
In fact, his office never apologized for their awful behavior toward a disabled person or for billing after saying «no charge.» I am walking again, my jaw is better for leaving this office. That retainer killed, and I don’t need a nasty dentist. It’s your teeth. Once gone, that’s it! Find a good specialist. That will be hard to do in Portland. Dr. Elkjer is a good regular dentist. So kind and gentle. Just have him make a retainer. It’s likely better.

Being an old guy my jaw on the right side decided to become detached, not a good deal. Had to hold my jaw in place to eat, sometimes even to talk. Talked to several doctors, said see your dentist, dentist said see you doctor. Finally found Dr Parker, he made me a mouth guard, the muscles took over and replaced the jaw hinge and it has worked perfectly for 10 years… until I mistakenly threw the darn thing in the fire! Parker, after laughing, replaced it at a discount. An all around great guy.

Dr. Parker and his staff have made me a believer!
I have had facial pain for years and really didn’t think anything about it. I just made it part of my ‘normal’. Your body adjusts, you adjust and get on with it, right? No! I found Dr. Parker and within a couple of weeks I had a new appliance to wear at night. Now just a short time later, I have no burning in my cheeks at the end of the day, little to no popping and clicking and a new lease on life! I would gladly recommend his office to anyone who is having facial TMJ/​TMD pain, popping, clicking, ringing in the ears or headaches. It is worth the investment in yourself to feel better.

If your dentist makes you a mouthgaurd to prevent you from ruining your lovely pearls, but you HATE wearing it, consider seeing Dr. Parker. Or, if your jaw got seriously screwed up in a car accident.
After an affordable initial consultation (less than $ 100), you will be quoted a package based on how serious your condition is. The basic package is currently $ 1555. That’s a big investment but it’s actually a good price for the level of care. It includes several types of diagnostic imaging to make sure the nightgaurd actually fits you and will help your jaw become more normal, instead of making it worse. It also includes virtually unlimited follow-​ups to get the fit just right. For me it took about 6 visits, including re-​making the appliance once because the plates weren’t aligned quite right.
What makes this nightguard so special? Dr. Parker is trained in cranio-​sacral therapy, so he checks to make sure that your cranial bones have their natural, very-​subtle movement, and then checks that the nightguard doesn’t disrupt that movement. Also, this nightguard rests on the bottom teeth, which makes it feel less bulky, less visible when you talk, and more comfortable. There are several bones in the upper jaw which need to move in relationship to each other, but the lower jaw is just the mandible. So the cranial rhythm is less likely to get screwed up.
Dr. Parker and his staff are really nice people. Dr. Parker has very kind eyes, and he definitely cares about his patients. This office generally runs impeccably on time, so make sure you plan to arrive early for your initial appointment — and do read the directions to the office that they will mail you. You can see the office from SE 82^nd Ave, but Halsey doesn’t connect to 82^nd due to Highway 84, so you just have to take a little sidestreet (Wasco) and jog over.