Whether it is snoring, difficulty sleeping, frequent headaches, or jaw pain, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) can be challenging to endure. Patients suffering from OSA and TMD can experience simultaneous relief through comprehensive treatment plans tailored specifically for them.
Custom Neuromuscular Orthodontics
A neuromuscular orthotic is custom fit to each patient after a series of neuromuscular measurements (scans) are taken, changing the habitual bite. This bite change is cross-indexed by tomographic x-rays confirming the jaw (condylar) change from the patient’s original bite. The neuromuscular orthotic is used on the lower teeth to engage the jaw muscles in proper function (5000 per day). The functional corrections and changes are dynamic as opposed to the static application of a generic (not muscle measured) splint worn only at night.
How Does Neuromuscular Orthodontics Help with Sleep Apnea?
At TMJ & Sleep Center, treatment will consist of a neuromuscular measure requiring two orthodontics over time (six to eight months) as the bite and posture change. Optimal bite and posture change can influence airway patency, to be optimized. This airway change can be measured by a take home sleep test that is confirmed by a pulmonary specialist. If necessary a proper sleep appliance will be measured and fabricated over functional muscle (jaw and posture) to create the airway needed for the individual.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects individuals of all ages. Common sleep apnea symptoms include pauses in breathing, loud breathing with daytime fatigue and sleepiness. More severe signs can include morning headaches, memory or concentration problems with depression, mood swings, and irritability. Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure can occur as the patient’s cardiovascular system is stressed every night.
Many of the symptoms of these types of sleep apnea overlap, which can prove a challenge in determining which kind of sleep apnea a person has.
Types of Sleep Apnea
As defined by the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing stops and starts. It can be quite serious. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: By far, the most common form of sleep apnea, this is caused by the relaxation of throat muscles.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Signal problems between the brain and body lead to stopped breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: This is caused by the combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea
When the jaw is out of alignment, it obstructs the airway, causing sleep apnea. At its core, Sleep Apnea is a product of TMJ and something you should have assessed.
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What is TMJ?
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the area near the ear where the jawbone connects to the skull. Symptoms of TMJ can include headaches and facial pain, difficulty chewing food, earaches, clicking sounds in the jaw when opening and closing the mouth, and a limited range of motion in the jaw.
How are TMJ and sleep apnea related?
Both are caused by improper jaw/condylar position that adversity affects the head, neck, and postural musculature, thereby bringing the head forward. Treating the muscles and posture for TMJ and sleep apnea assures the individual of not only a proper airway but functional non-painful muscles, so that airway, posture, and bite are working toward a restful sleep with proper muscle function during the day.
| Comparing TMJ to Sleep Apnea | TMJ | Sleep Apnea |
| Forward Head Posture | ✔ | ✔ |
| Retruded Jaw Position (Can Be Painful) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Crowded Teeth, Narrow Arches | ✔ | ✔ |
| High Palate | ✔ | ✔ |
| Scalloped Tongue – Clenching | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reflux | ✔ | ✔ |
| Neck and Back Issues | ✔ | ✔ |
| Swallowing Issues | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fatigue | ✔ | ✔ |
People with TMJ and Sleep Apnea also have:
- Postural Duress: Osteoarthritis down the postural chain due to forward head posture.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrow of vessels in the lower back due to forward head posture since age 5!
- Condylar jaw position retruded: Dysfunctional muscles throughout the body/jaw making the airway smaller.
Creating an optimization of the airway for the patient through the treatment will allow for the best results if/when an intra-oral sleep appliance is necessary.
All results are measured through documented testing to ensure the airway remains open through sleep (testing) with the sleep appliance.
How long do you have to wear orthotics for TMJ and Sleep Apnea correction?
Treatment for a temporomandibular disorder includes wearing an orthotic to reposition the jaw and optimize muscle function coinciding with postural therapy. Phase I TMJ therapy usually takes between six to eight months. There is a Phase II component when posture, muscle, and jaw stability is achieved to allow the patient to function without an orthotic. Each Phase II therapy is unique to the individual and will be discussed at the initial and subsequent visits during treatment. Wearing your orthotic consistently ensures that it has a chance to properly realign your bite and reduce muscle tension in the jaw, affecting forward head position. Consistent orthotic wear assures functional muscle range of motion, which maximizes muscle strength and optimizes airway.
Because every patient is different, all treatment plans are tailored to the individual and monitored through documented sleep testing to ensure the airway remains open throughout the night. Addressing sleep apnea early can also help reduce the risks associated with chronic fatigue, cardiovascular stress, high blood pressure, and other long-term health concerns.
Sleep Apnea Treatment at TMJ & Sleep Center
At TMJ & Sleep Center, we focus on helping patients find long-term relief from obstructive sleep apnea through personalized, non-surgical treatment options.
Our approach begins with advanced neuromuscular measurements to evaluate jaw position, airway function, forward head posture, and muscle activity. By improving jaw alignment over time, patients can experience better breathing during sleep that reduces snoring, and improves overall rest. Creating functional muscle stability assures us of the head being over the spine. You cannot be posturally stable with forward head and scoliosis (which is created by dysfunctional jaw position 5,000 times a day) and is cured by neuromuscular orthotic therapy delivering function 5,000 times a day!
If you are experiencing symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or interrupted sleep, the team at TMJ & Sleep Center can help you explore effective treatment options.
Learn more about our dedicated Sleep Apnea Treatment options.