Sleep disorders often go hand-in-hand with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), called TMJ. Patients experiencing sleep apnea or diagnosed with sleep apnea commonly show signs of a bite problem due to teeth grinding. Dr. Duling provides comprehensive diagnostics and therapies for both sleep apnea and TMJ disorders to resolve symptoms, improve health, and restore sleep. Dr. Duling offers sleep apnea treatment to patients in Owens Cross Roads, AL.
Sleep Apnea and TMD: What is the Connection?
Patients who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea often share common traits, including smaller airways or jaw structures. It is often hard to say which comes first, but studies have shown that while not everyone with TMJ has sleep apnea, almost half of the patients with a sleep disorder also have a TMJ disorder.
Dr. Duling has the advanced training necessary to provide a thorough evaluation of your airway, jaw structure, and bite function. These are the important components of your oral health that impact your risk for sleep apnea and TMD.
A smaller airway makes it more difficult to breathe naturally during sleep, as soft tissues at the back of the throat can collapse as the body relaxes. The body often compensates by moving the jaw forward to open the airway, which can lead to increased muscle tension in the jaw joints.
The tension can cause teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and other common symptoms of TMJ, which contribute to your sleep problem. Treating the whole oral system is the key to not only resolving discomfort and jaw pain but also allowing the airway to remain open and facilitating normal breathing.
Dr. Duling uses oral appliance therapy (OAT) to address the root cause of your sleep disorder and resolve TMJ-related symptoms such as teeth grinding. Designed to reposition the jaw during sleep, a custom oral appliance promotes better breathing and allows the jaw muscles to relax.
Why Choose Dr. Duling?
As with anything in life, choosing the right resource to solve your problem can make a big difference in your outcome. Choosing Dr. Duling means choosing a dental health professional who understands the connection between all aspects of your oral system and how to interpret oral signs of sleep disorders. She is uniquely equipped in several ways to diagnose and treat your sleep or bite problems and resolve your pain.
- Personal experience: Dr. Duling has personally been diagnosed with a TMD and understands how patients feel when discussing their symptoms.
- Advanced training: A Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Dr. Duling is one of the only local dentists with in-depth training in sleep disorders and oral appliance therapy.
- Compassionate care: Our goal is to provide exceptional results and compassionate care to all of our patients. Dr. Duling is known for her personal approach and for taking the time to fully understand each patient’s unique needs.
Sleep Apnea and TMD FAQs
Sleep apnea and TMD often occur at the same time. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
How do you sleep with sleep apnea and TMD?
The most effective treatment when you have both of these conditions is a specialized oral device. A mouthguard or bite splint prevents you from grinding your teeth while sleeping. It also readjusts your jaw so that it’s in the correct position. Not only does this help with pain from TMD, but it opens up your airway, making it easier for you to breathe throughout the night.
Does a TMD mouthguard help with sleep apnea?
It can, yes. TMD oral appliances and sleep apnea oral appliances have similar goals. They both want to reposition the jaw so that the bite is even, the teeth don’t grind, and the muscles in the back of the throat don’t collapse. One oral appliance can help both conditions.
Can a CPAP machine make TMD worse?
Yes, this is one of the reasons we primarily focus on oral appliance therapy. A CPAP machine puts continued pressure on your chin because the strap keeps the mask on your face. The jawbone is pressed back and can irritate your TMD.
Is my TMD causing my sleep apnea?
It’s possible. When you have TMD, your jaw joint is frequently in motion overnight. Patients usually grind and clench their teeth throughout the night. When you have sleep apnea, your body juts the jaw forward. However, your jaw may not be fully functional due to TMD. This failsafe may not always work for your body.
Can jaw exercises help my sleep apnea as well as TMD?
Mouth, throat, and jaw exercises can all improve sleep apnea. They encourage your mouth to open properly. Also, they loosen up ligaments and muscles that might be tight and strained due to TMD. While they aren’t a guaranteed cure, we often recommend they be used with other methods in your treatment plan.
Do I need jaw surgery for my TMD and sleep apnea?
We only resort to jaw surgery when less invasive solutions aren’t enough for your condition. However, jaw surgery has a high success rate for helping these issues. We’ll consider it depending on how other treatment methods work for you.
Solutions for Sleep Apnea & TMD in Owens Cross Roads
Schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Duling to discuss your concerns and explore your treatment options. This may be the first step in a journey to better sleep, less pain, and rediscovering your best quality of life.