Mark E Abramson, DDS

I’ve struggled with tongue thrust since I was a child and Dr Abramson was the only dentist who recognized that this was going on, and encouraged me to get to the root of the problem rather than continue expensive appliances that I kept moving around with my tongue thrust (3 rounds of braces, yuk!). Wish I’d listened to him long ago, but better late than never and my tongue thrust is being treated locally (I don’t live nearby anymore), with excellent results at last! I am very appreciative that his expert knowledge steered me towards the right approach that is minimally invasive and holistic. He is still the dentist I get second opinions from and he will tell me if he genuinely thinks I really don’t need expensive procedures that my more mainstream dentist recommends. I know his muscle testing approach can be a little odd for people who are not versed in this more eastern approach, but I’ve been muscle tested by hundreds of practitioners and he is the most consistent and clear tester I’ve ever worked with, so I do trust his results (I actually bring him my vitamins and supplements when I see him to test, and he is generous about testing all of them, it’s pretty fun and the results are consistent with my allergies and health issues– darn, no chocolate for me!). He is also excellent at cranio-​sacral therapies, and has helped my clear my sinuses and improved pain from headaches many times through the years. His office is also very much «family feeling», which can sometimes feel a little casual, but you are still getting great care and he is highly qualified.

Dr. Abramson is an extremely compassionate dentist and does a fantastic job with his osteopathic adjustments! I always feel so much better after seeing him. He truly cares about you and wants you to get better – and there are not many physicians I can say that about.

I only had one visit a year ago for TMJ. He showed general disinterest in how he interacted with me, did not review the treatment plan at the end of our session, and walked out. At the front desk, I received a bill for $ 2,600 (approx.) for that visit and future interventions that we hadn’t discussed (sleep test and a mouth guard). After they amended the charges at the front desk as I did not intend to return, the office manager suggested a write a complaint letter to Dr. Abramson. He returned my call and that went okay. But, in reference to the prescription of the $ 1200 night guard (most are $ 350), his response was basically, «a man needs to make his money.»
I am currently trying to resolve an insurance issue with them for submitting an incorrect invoice and then not returning my insurance companies calls for more clarification.
Stay away if you want attentive care, clear communication, and appropriate follow-​through.

I have been seeing Dr. Abramson for about 2 years. He is caring and professional. His treatment is also effective in treating my sleep apnea without the use of CPAP machines. I recommend him without any reservation. He is tremendous

I have seen many orthodontists and dentists in my life, and undergone years and years of dental treatments. I have never experienced such unprofessional behavior before. I saw Dr. Abramson 3 times for my TMJ issues before calling it quits.
During my second appointment, I was supposed to get my mouth guard fitted. Instead I was seated in a room, and then left alone for nearly 40 minutes. When I was finally seen to, they were in such a rush that they did not fit my mouth guard properly. Dr. Abramson yanked my jaw around during the process (ow!) and insisted on testing the fit of my device through some pseudoscience method. He told me to hold my right arm out to my side while I had the mouth guard in. He then pushed my arm down. This is the EXACT same method that’s used to sell those homeopathic magnetic «balance» bracelets. After wearing the mouth guard for only an hour I was left in considerable pain. It was clearly made poorly based on my experience wearing a similar mouth guard many years ago.
I scheduled another appointment, hoping he would be able to fix the mouth guard. Instead, his approach was just as rushed as before and the mouth guard was still just as painful and unbalanced. He also gave me a very strange head massage that focused on certain «release points» and was supposed to leave me more relaxed, but really just put me in more pain. Not to mention his assistant told me that I had undergone this treatment the previous appointment, and I definitely DID NOT!
Between the clerical errors, technical difficulties, disregard for my time, poor bedside manner, and homeopathic techniques, I was done. Just done.

Mark can teach you about mindfulness and meditation. He knows a lot about coping with pain, stress reduction techniques, and innovation. I am sure of his empathy and great work ethic.

I was so lucky to have a professional referral for Dr. Abramson — I was at the end of my rope for an intermittent pain in one ear that felt like an ice pick piercing the back side of my ear canal. I saw 4 doctors over 3 months all who «covered» what it was not through expensive CT scans and MRIs but with no one explaining what it was.
The medical resident at CA Ear Institute suggested Dr. Abramson’s skills and approach would like be my best solution for long term recovery (finding the root of the problem) and this was a much better solution to the current recommendation to stay on muscle relaxers indefinitely (managing the symptom approach).
I have now been seeing Dr. Abramson for 2 – 3 months. He made a dental guard that I can wear now only at night. I was apprehensive on this device and not sure why I needed it. But a dental guard was a more appealing way to approach healing than popping pills or surgery. As a skeptic, it was only 2 weeks later that I noticed the piercing was almost all gone and residual ringing in the one ear also gone.
What I liked about Dr Abramson is his holistic approach to the problem. He understands the cranial connections and relations to other parts of the body. He has a very quiet yet reassuring nature. He is a gifted healer and knows how to read/​listen to your body + problems. Clearly a talent that he has honed over the years.
I respect that he has a full practice and many patients who are also at the end of their rope. My suggestion — be patient if he is running behind. When he is with you — he is very present and provides amazing focus and healing energy. I have only had to wait a few times but his office staff is also superb in keeping you informed and comfortable. And– the lady behind the desk with schedule and billing — a pure drop of sunshine. What nice people!

Last December my 15 yr. old daughter got a sever headache that wouldn’t stop. After 7 months of one doctor visit after another including an MRI, no one could help her or give us any answers as to why this was happening. This included an orthodontist who said she would need 3 rounds of braces and 3 other doctors who said it was all in her head.
When my daughter started to have ear and jaw pain I finally got a referral from a friend to Dr. Abramson. Taking my daughter to Dr. Abramson was a life changing event for our family. For 7 months my daughter missed more school than she had attended due to her head pain and during our first visit the doctor was able to properly diagnose her issue and gave her instant relief.
Dr. Abramson was so kind and caring. He was very concerned about my daughter and sensitive to what she’d been through. To my relief he also was careful about expense and my time. What a rare experience!
I now understand that jaw issues are common and need to be delt with prior to braces. My daughter has not had a headache or jaw pain since Dr. Abramson has been caring for her. Her jaw is now developing properly (which is also improving her face shape) and she will only need 1 round of braces.
THANK YOU doctor and staff for all your kindnesses and care!

I was diagnosed last year with mild sleep apnea. I think I’ve had it for years; it was hard to remember when I had a great night’s sleep. My sleep doctor initially put me on a CPAP machine. I travel frequently so it was a burden to have to drag the equipment along; sometimes I would have to pull it all out at airport security checkpoints, sometimes they’d let me go through, I always had to have an electrical outlet near my bed, I had to check a bag so that I could carry on the machine, etc. etc. Those inconveniences notwithstanding, CPAP just didn’t work for me, and after 9 months of faithfully using it every night, I came to the realization that I was even more sleep-​deprived than I had been before starting it.
The next stop was Dr. Abramson to be fitted with his own invention, the Oasys Oral/​Nasal Airway System. Dr. Abramson is personable, professional, and knowledgeable. He himself uses this device so has experience with what it’s like to get used to it. I am now sleeping better than I have in years. I am so thankful for this device and for Dr. Abramson’s outstanding services. His office staff is great and I actually look forward to my visits there.

Dr. Abramson has helped me with my sleep apnea appliance for about 8 years. Just this month he scheduled a special appointment for me because of an impending trip. He’s a really caring professional. And he is an expert on relieving sleep apnea symptoms.

Dr. Abramson made a dental guard for my sleep apnea and I’m now sleeping much better. Thank you Dr. Abramson!

I can’t rate Dr. Abramson, his staff and his office more highly. I had a persistent TMJ issue. Other specialists had suggested muscle relaxants, which only succeeded in completely knocking me out, and physical therapy hadn’t made much of a difference. By luck, I found Dr. Abramson. His knowledge and techniques, along with a custom mouth guard, resolved the problem. I feel so fortunate to have found him and would not hesitate to recommend him to other people. And on top of everything, he’s a great guy!

Dr. Abramson is a wonderful, caring doctor who has treated both my mother and I for sleep apnea and myself for TMJ. He was able to diagnose my TMJ and start treatment immediately.
I have seen Dr. Abramson over the last year (sometimes monthly) on an as needed basis and his staff couldn’t be more friendly. The entire office is a pleasure to visit.
I wear the Oasys nightly and have gotten rid of my CPAP machine. It’s been a lifesaver with travelling. I can’t thank Dr. Abramson enough.

Dr. Abramson has helped me significantly with several health issues.
1) The dental appliance formed through his service has decreased sleep disturbances from apnea. (Since I have GERD, when I tried using the CPAP machine it worsened my night time wakefulness).
2) After a half dozen manipulations for shoulder problems, the pain went away and I could again reach my arm high without after effects. Numerous sessions with a PT previously and doing stretches and exercises that she taught me had not achieved this.
3) I fell last week and suffered a concussion. Today I went in for cranial osteopathy and left with my pain level going from a 3.5 to a 2 or 2.5!
I appreciate that Dr. Abramson treats his patient with respect and sensitivity and as partners in the treatment program. He is kind, cordial and makes times for whatever questions I have.
I gave four stars instead of five because the shoulder treatments took twice as many sessions as he initially estimated and he often arrives at his office 5 – 10 minutes late in the morning. But these are small things and I urge you not to pay any attention to what Molly writes based on one-​office visit.

My neck was badly injured in a car crash, leaving me in constant pain and limiting my movement pretty severely. Finally my doctors referred me to Dr. Abramson, to get lidocaine injections in my neck.
By the time I got this referral, I was pretty worn down by months of ongoing pain. On top of all that — terrified of needles! At my absolute best, I have trouble acting like a grown-​up where shots are involved. And I was a long way from my absolute best. I frankly anticipated a very unpleasant experience.
I ended up hugely relieved. Dr. Abramson turned out to be warm, personable, and carried a natural authority that let me know I was in good hands. He saw me immediately; I had his full attention for a thorough, patient exam and history. He was honest about the potential for pain with the injections and reviewed with me what to expect. He really put me at ease.
The actual shots turned out to be just about a non-​event — he took a great deal of care, and made sure I felt ready for each one. The whole time he engaged me in genuinely enjoyable conversation. It was over quickly with no problem and very minor, tolerable discomfort.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Abramson and his professional, welcoming staff. Good people!

Why can’t I leave zero stars? I’ve never had cause to wonder this before, but I don’t feel Dr. Abramson deserves even 1 star out of 5.
Bottom line: I do not think you should see this doctor. On both visits I have made to his office, he has displayed a flagrant lack of professionalism and care for patients. I also personally did not find his treatments effective.
My first visit to his office was interrupted — without apology — by a 5 minute cell phone conversation that first rang while I was speaking to him about my symptoms. He held this conversation right in front of me and never once apologized or explained his rudeness. He showed no interest in hearing my experience with my jaw pain or my health history and instead spent one minute feeling my jaw to determine a treatment for me.
My second visit was even worse. Dr Abramson was:
Unhygienic
— — - His rubber glove had a hole in it and he had pen ink on the gloves which he got all over my tongue, teeth, and appliance. He also did not brush off the plastic shavings each time he shaved down the splint to fit it to my mouth, which left me with a mouth full of little plastic bits. The splint also has some rough edges and places where little bits of plastic are just hanging off of it. In addition to this, Dr. Abramson also rubbed his hands all over my face as part of his treatment and the next day I got a terrible rash on my face. I’m not sure if it’s connected, so I won’t tell you that it’s definitely from seeing him, but if it is… that’s gross.
Incredibly late
— — - He did not see me for almost 30 minutes after my appointment time because he was on the phone, then came to fit the splint on my mouth, and then had me wait another 10 minutes while he saw another patient before he began my second stage of treatment.
Confusing
— — - He did not explain anything he did and even when I asked questions he was vague. He uses methods that are not traditional to typical Western medicine which in and of itself I do not object to at all. It’s the fact that he doesn’t seem to think I’m at all curious or concerned why he’s attaching electric currents to my ears, shooting local anesthesia into my scalp (which hurt and gave me a woozy headache for hours), or pushing my arms and face with some force. It did not inspire confidence.
Rude
— — - When he finished his treatment, he just said, «So I’ll have you come back next week to do another round of treatment, but we’ll have to get approval from your insurance» — and he said this while walking out the door, saying it to the floor or the air or the walls — but not to me. No eye contact. It’s like you aren’t even there if he’s talking to you. He actually walked out the door and into another room while talking. I figured he was maybe grabbing a pamphlet with more information on what on earth he had just done to my head, so I waited like a fool in the room for a minute before realizing… he just walked out of the room mid-​sentence and I was supposed to understand my appointment was done. It was awkward and rude.
Unconcerned with my comfort
— — - This is a smaller complaint but it was just so odd I have to mention it. The area where he did his treatment (which was like a head massage) was on a doctor’s table, but it was not padded or cushioned at all. It was very uncomfortable. When the assistant walked me into the room, she told me to lie down with my head on the pillow. I looked around and there was no pillow. «Oops,» she said, «I should have said ‘paper towel’» There was a paper towel for me to put my head on. How comfortable! I was basically lying on a glorified wooden table with my head on a single sheet of paper towel for half an hour while Dr. Abramson touched my head. It was very uncomfortable. Strange.
Unhelpful
— — - I have seen no improvement in my jaw pain since seeing him and actually experienced additional pain from his treatment of «Stim» charges and injection of local anesthesia to pressure points all over my head. He did not care at all that I had actually come in to get help diagnosing the CAUSE of my jaw pain, not to be told «Yes, your jaw is out of alignment, so I am going to make you a splint that you have to wear ²⁴⁄₇ for a minimum of 3 months or up to 3 years, and inject some local anesthesia into your scalp, and smoosh your face around while I clip little electric currents to pulse through your ears, and this will cure your pain.» (I am paraphrasing, of course). Unhelpful, unpleasant, and expensive. Why bother? Dr. Abramson was more concerned with treating the symptoms with costly and ineffective methods than he was for determining and fixing the root cause.
All in all, it was the worst medical experience I have ever had and though he told me to come in again I refused further treatment.
Please don’t support this doctor.

Dr. Abramson is creative, tech-​forward, and humble.
I have a unique TMJ issue caused by smashing my jaw on the ground on two different occasions. Dr. Abramson diagnosed the issue by taking a 3D x-​ray scan of the lower half of my skull, and he even gave me the 3D model on a CD to keep! :)
Time to make a video game with a skull boss…

I have a serious problem with sleep apnea, and my wife threatened to kick me out of our bed. Luckily, I went to Dr. Abramson and was fitted for his OASYS device that ultimately saved my marriage! I have now used this device for 5 years with remarkably good results.
I even wrote about my excellent experiences with Dr. Abramson at the famed Huffingtonpost website:
I am so glad that I do not have to use one of those CPAP devices because I do not want to be «hooked up» to any electronic device during sleep.
If you or someone you has problems with snoring, you could really benefit from the services of Dr. Abramson.

Years ago I went to Dr. Abramson for a root canal gone wrong. He was quickly able to diagnose the problem and find a solution that was compatible with my particular body. He muscle tested for the correct material for a bridge and solved what was years of painful trauma for me.

His practice is general dentistry but he also treats people holistically. My friend has had severe headaches for years. She’s had an MRI and many many other tests with no results and would leave as desperate as she came in. She finally was told, through a friend, of Dr. Abramson’s practice and what he specialized in. It seemed to address all the things that were going on with her. She made an appointment and very shortly after seeing him, her headaches started to go away. Her headaches were so bad that she had contemplated suicide. Dr. Abramson’s is truly a life saver.