TMJ Therapy and Sleep Apnea Treatment

Restoring Comfort and Quality of Life

The TMJ & Sleep therapy center / Riverview Dental team are committed to helping you achieve optimal health by offering solutions to common but often overlooked conditions such as TMJ disorders and sleep apnea. Both issues can significantly impact your quality of life, causing discomfort, sleep disturbances, and even long-term health problems. Our TMJ therapy and sleep apnea treatments are designed to improve your overall well-being, reduce pain, and help you rest easy.

TMJ Therapy: Relieving Jaw Pain and Tension

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) refers to problems with the jaw joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. This joint plays a crucial role in everyday functions like speaking, eating, and chewing. It also plays part in balance and anatomic nervous system function.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder:

• Jaw pain or tenderness, especially near the ears
• Difficulty or discomfort when chewing or speaking
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth
• Headaches, neck, or shoulder pain
• Limited jaw movement or locking of the jaw
• Tooth sensitivity or worn-down teeth due to teeth grinding

TMJ disorders can be both uncomfortable and frustrating, but the good news is that effective treatments are available to help alleviate these symptoms and restore jaw function.

TMJ Therapy Options

1. Oral Appliances (Mouthguards): A custom-fitted nighttime appliance can be an effective way to manage sleep breathing issues and TMJ symptoms. These oral appliances are designed to reduce the strain on your jaw, minimize teeth grinding (bruxism), and alleviate muscle tension.
2. Physical Therapy and massage: Targeted exercises and stretches can help relieve jaw stiffness, reduce muscle tension, and improve the mobility of the temporomandibular joint. We may recommend physical therapy techniques to help strengthen and stretch the muscles around your jaw.
3. Stress Management Techniques: Since stress can contribute to jaw clenching and teeth grinding, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and meditation can be beneficial in managing TMJ symptoms.
4. Posture and Ergonomic Adjustments: Poor posture, especially while sitting or working, can exacerbate TMJ symptoms. We can provide tips on improving posture to reduce strain on your jaw and neck muscles.
5. DIET and Medications: For more severe cases, Dr. Campbell may recommend an anti-inflammatory diet as well as medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
6. Advanced Treatments: If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, we may discuss additional therapies like Botox injections, which can relax the muscles and reduce pain, or refer you to a specialist for surgical options if necessary.

Sleep Apnea Treatment: Restoring Restful Sleep

Sleep apnea is a common condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This interruption leads to poor sleep quality, which can cause daytime fatigue, headaches, and more serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

There are two main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Caused by a blockage in the airway, often due to relaxed throat muscles and tissues.
• Central Sleep Apnea: Occurs when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

50% of people living with sleep apnea often experience loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

How We Can Help with Sleep Apnea

1. Custom Oral Appliances: A custom-designed oral appliance is often the first-line treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This device is worn during sleep to reposition the lower jaw and tongue, keeping the airway open and allowing for smoother breathing.
2. CPAP Therapy: For more severe cases of sleep apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common treatment. A CPAP machine uses a mask to provide a constant stream of air to keep your airway open while you sleep.
3. Lifestyle Changes: In some cases, lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, changing sleep positions, and avoiding alcohol or sedatives before bedtime can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
4. Surgical Options: If conservative treatments fail, surgical options may be considered. Surgery can help remove excess tissue or correct structural abnormalities that contribute to sleep apnea.
5. Collaboration with Specialists: In some cases, we may refer you to a sleep specialist for further evaluation or diagnostic testing, such as a sleep study (polysomnography), to determine the severity of your sleep apnea and tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

By addressing both TMJ disorders and sleep apnea, we can work to improve both your sleep quality and jaw function.

Benefits of TMJ and Sleep Apnea Treatment

• Better Sleep: Treating sleep apnea can help you achieve deeper, more restful sleep, leading to better overall health.
• Reduced Pain: TMJ therapy alleviates jaw pain, headaches, and muscle tension, allowing you to eat, speak, and sleep more comfortably.
• Improved Quality of Life: Both TMJ disorders and sleep apnea can negatively impact daily life. Treatment can help you regain your energy, reduce discomfort, and improve your well-being.
• Long-Term Health: Addressing sleep apnea and TMJ issues reduces the risk of associated complications like heart disease, high blood pressure, and chronic pain.

Get Relief from TMJ and Sleep Apnea Today!

If you’re suffering from TMJ pain or suspect that you may have sleep apnea, don’t wait any longer. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn about the treatment options available to improve your comfort, sleep, and quality of life. We’re here to help you feel better, sleep better, and live better.