About The
TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre of Utah
At the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Utah, we specialize in providing compassionate, non-surgical solutions for TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and craniofacial pain. With a patient-first approach and advanced diagnostics, we’re committed to restoring quality of life through individualized care and lasting results.
Our Story
The TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Utah was created with a clear purpose: to help patients find answers when chronic pain, poor sleep, and airway problems are interfering with their quality of life.
Our practice is focused on understanding the connections between the jaw joints, muscles, airway, breathing, and sleep rather than simply treating individual symptoms. Using advanced diagnostics and a comprehensive, non-surgical approach, we develop individualized treatment plans designed to address the underlying factors contributing to each patient’s condition.
Today, our team cares for both adults and children experiencing TMJ disorders, craniofacial pain, sleep-disordered breathing, and related functional concerns. Our goal is simple: help our patients live with less pain, breathe better, sleep better, and get back to enjoying their lives.
Our Partners
TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre International
TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre International provides education and training for the global professional community treating these patients, and we provide care for patients in our “Centres of Excellence” around the world. Dr. Steven R. Olmos offers education programs and our growing family of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres provide patient care in over 60 centres in 7 countries.
FAQ
Common Questions About Our Practice
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! Whether you are struggling with jaw pain related to a TMJ disorder or snoring and health issues caused by sleep apnea, our dentists want to help you improve your quality of life. We’ll determine whether you can benefit from oral appliances, laser treatments, and/or myofunctional therapy and create a personalized treatment plan for you. You’ll feel better and function better!
Do you accept insurance?
We are a Fee-for-Service/Out-of-Network provider because insurance companies impose restrictive limitations on TMJ and sleep apnea treatments. Medical insurance rarely covers TMJ treatment and limits access to oral appliances for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), often requiring severe conditions before approval. By not contracting with insurance, we prioritize high-quality, patient-centered care without insurance dictating treatment. While medical insurance may contribute to OSA treatment, it is subject to deductibles and exclusions. Medicare does not cover TMJ treatment. We advocate for proactive care, as insurance often denies coverage for conservative treatments while requiring them before surgical intervention.
Doctor & Customer Approved
Trusted By Our Many Patients
Meet Dr. K. Cheyn Gunnerson
Your TMJ & Sleep Apnea Dentist in Payson, UT
Life isn’t just about ourselves. I believe we find some of our greatest happiness by adding value to the lives of others.
That belief has been a constant throughout my life and has shaped the different paths my career has taken.
Long before I became a dentist, music taught me many of the things I still value today. I began studying piano at seven and spent the next 12 years performing and competing. I was accepted to BYU as a music performance major, but ultimately chose a different path because I wanted a career where I could have a direct and lasting influence on people’s lives.
I attended the University of Utah, earning a degree in Medical Biology before continuing my education at Oregon Health Sciences University, where I earned my degree in Dental Medicine. I also worked as a professional pianist at a local hotel. On one occasion, I was asked to come in early to provide music as President Ronald Reagan arrived at and departed from the hotel during a visit to Salt Lake City. Because of the security requirements, I went through the necessary screening and was required to perform without written music.
Dentistry became much more than a profession for me. After returning to Utah and establishing Gunnerson Dental, I had the opportunity to care for thousands of patients while building a team and learning the many dimensions of clinical care, leadership, business, and patient relationships.
Over the years, my desire to help people expanded beyond dentistry. In 2016, I joined the John Maxwell Team to further develop my ability to speak, teach, coach, and help others pursue their goals. I enjoy helping people recognize what is possible and develop the confidence to achieve it.
Today, my professional focus is centered on a question:
What if we could do more than simply treat the symptoms?
My work has evolved toward TMJ, airway, sleep, and functional dentistry—areas where pain, breathing, oral function, and sleep can intersect. I believe that understanding the underlying causes of these problems can create opportunities to help people not simply feel better, but live better. I also serve as the Utah State Advocate for the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM).
That is the direction I am pursuing now: developing a more comprehensive approach to TMJ and sleep care that looks at the person as a whole and seeks to address underlying functional problems rather than simply managing symptoms.
Ultimately, the goal is simple:
Pain-free living. Restful sleep.
And, just as it has been throughout my career, I want the work I do to add value to the lives of the people I have the privilege of serving.
Meet Dr. K. Cheyn Gunnerson
Your TMJ & Sleep Apnea Dentist in Payson, UT
Meet Dr. Valenzuela
Empowering Health Through Restful Sleep and Whole-Body Wellness
Dr. Valenzuela is a triple board-certified physician who focuses on helping pediatric and adult patients achieve optimal health through quality sleep and a general approach to wellness. With a focus on sleep and its impact on overall well-being, Dr. V is dedicated to helping individuals feel well-rested and refreshed, every single day.
Meet Dr. Valenzuela
Empowering Health Through Restful Sleep and Whole-Body Wellness
Dr. Valenzuela is a triple board-certified physician who focuses on helping pediatric and adult patients achieve optimal health through quality sleep and a general approach to wellness. With a focus on sleep and its impact on overall well-being, Dr. V is dedicated to helping individuals feel well-rested and refreshed, every single day.
Meet Dr. Mindy Lunceford
Your Myofunctional Therapy Specialist & RDH in Payson, UT
Since graduating from Dental Hygiene school in 1997, I’ve been on a mission to help smiles shine a little brighter and lives feel a little healthier. In 2020, I added myofunctional therapy to my toolkit, blending science and care to support both kids and adults on their path to better health. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone thrive-and knowing you played a small part in that transformation. I’ve been joyfully married since 1995, and life has blessed us with five amazing adult children and two sweet grandchildren who keep our hearts full and our schedules delightfully busy. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me with soil on my hands in the garden, a spoon in my hand in the kitchen, or a suitcase by the door—ready for the next adventure. I have a soft spot for baking (especially with real, high-quality vanilla), musicals, cozy theater nights, and wandering through beautiful places. Switzerland and Japan are among my favorite travel destinations, but a piece of my heart will always belong to Grenada, West Indies, where I lived for nearly two years. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving-because food, family, and gratitude are the best combination. I believe caramel apples are a perfectly acceptable snack at any time of year, that shrimp and steak are better when shared, and that nothing beats the flavor of a sun-warmed, freshly picked peach. And if you ask me what my favorite color is, I’ll say: the colors of sunrise and sunset—because that’s when the world feels most magical.