Our Team

Dr. Stephen Deal is a functional dentist, physiological dentist, and nationally recognized leader in functional orthodontics, craniofacial pain, TMJ/TMD, airway-centered dentistry, and sleep medicine. A graduate of the University of Arkansas and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, Dr. Deal founded his practice in 2003 with a singular focus: treating the root causes of dental, airway, and facial growth problems rather than simply managing symptoms.

Dr. Deal’s clinical philosophy integrates functional dentistry, dentofacial orthopedics, myofunctional therapy, and airway-focused orthodontics to support optimal facial development, jaw health, breathing, and long-term stability. His practice is known for treating both children and adults using a physiological, growth-guided approach that emphasizes proper facial growth, nasal breathing, tongue posture, and neuromuscular balance.

After receiving his general dental education, he has gone on to acquire over 1,500 hours of advanced postgraduate education, Dr. Deal has completed extensive training in orthodontics, craniofacial pain,
temporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ), and dental sleep medicine. He is one of the few clinicians in the region to combine functional orthodontics and myofunctional therapy within a comprehensive airway-based treatment model.

Dr. Deal is a Diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain and a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep and Breathing. He is also the only double board-certified Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine practitioner in the state of Arkansas.

In addition, Dr. Deal is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Orthodontic Society, and the International Association for Orthodontics. He is a Senior Instructor for the Internation Association for Orthodontics.

Dr. Deal currently serves as President-Elect of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain, reflecting his national leadership role in advancing standards of care for craniofacial pain, TMJ disorders, and airway-related conditions.

As a functional dentist and physiological orthodontic practitioner, Dr. Deal works closely with patients seeking solutions for:

• TMJ and facial pain
• Sleep apnea and airway dysfunction
• Improper facial growth and jaw development
• Bite instability and relapse
• Myofunctional disorders affecting breathing and posture

His comprehensive, systems-based approach has made his practice a destination for patients throughout Arkansas and across the country seeking modern functional dentistry and orthodontics grounded in physiology, growth, and airway health.