Having Trouble Sleeping? Consider Sleep Apnea and TMD Treatment

Sleeping and dental conditions are often interrelated. If you are grappling with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and TMJ-related pain issues like headaches, jaw soreness, popping and clicking sounds, or neck pain, VanderLaan Family Dentistry provides custom-fitted nightguards to restore healthy sleep. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew VanderLaan for effective treatments to help you sleep better and improve your quality of life.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by start and stop breathing episodes. The most common type of this sleep-disordered breathing condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the airway closes when sleeping, often because of collapsed throat muscles. OSA causes breathing stoppage for a scary ten seconds or more, and these episodes can recur up to a hundred times a night.  

OSA is characterized by raucous snoring as air passes through the restricted airway. However, not all patients who snore have OSA, and you may have OSA without snoring.

The other symptoms of OSA include:

  • Morning headaches
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Waking up with a dry throat
  • Mood changes and irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Poor concentration
  • Daytime sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep

Sleep apnea is a severe condition. If left untreated, sleep apnea puts you at risk of systematic conditions like hypertension, depression, diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular problems.

What is TMJ dysfunction (TMD)?

Everyone has two joints on either side of the face. These hinge-like joints called temporomandibular joints (TMJs), connect the lower jaw to the skull and allow the mouth to move in several directions when chewing, eating, or smiling. Healthy TMJs work seamlessly and don’t cause any pain or discomfort.

However, when the TMJs are strained, infected, or injured, you’ll experience numerous unpleasant symptoms like:

  • Headaches
  • Jaw pain or soreness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Clicking or popping sounds when closing and opening jaws (crepitus)
  • Pain in the ears, face, and neck
  • Difficulty or painful chewing
  • Lockjaw

Stress, bruxism, arthritis, and misaligned teeth have been linked to TMJ pain. Whatever the cause, schedule an appointment with a TMJ dentist for evaluation and treatment. Don’t ignore TMJ pain—the condition can be severe enough to interfere with simple activities like talking, sleeping, and eating.

How are sleep apnea and TMJ pain treated?

You don’t need invasive treatments to manage TMD and sleep apnea. Dr. VanderLaan uses a personalized oral device to manage the two conditions. A TMD dental splint fits over your teeth to minimize tension on the jaw muscles and joints. When you wear a TMD oral device as directed, your TMJs relax and heal over time, reducing unpleasant symptoms.

For patients diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea, Dr. VanderLaan can fabricate a mandibular advancement appliance that puts your jaw in an optimal position to keep your airway open as you sleep. Often, a custom-fitted oral device relieves your sleep apnea to avoid the need for a CPAP machine or other costly or invasive medical procedures.

Are you ready for TMD or sleep apnea treatment?

Dr. VanderLaan understands that sleep is as important as exercise or a good diet. If you have trouble sleeping because of sleep apnea or TMJ pain, we can help—call (616) 288-2554 to schedule an appointment with our dental team. We can’t wait to restore your healthy sleep and life.