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TMJ/Sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea

Our practice focuses on oral appliance therapy as a treatment option for people with mild or moderate sleep apnea and as a 2nd line treatment option for those people who are not compliant with CPAP or that would prefer a more comfortable alternative to CPAP.

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) For Patients Who Are Non-Compliant Or Intolerant To CPAP

This type of therapy consists of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) that goes into the mouth and attaches to the teeth in order to bring the jaw forward at night. By bringing the jaw forward, the tongue that is attached to the jaw comes forward also, thereby opening up the back of the throat. The site of obstruction is the base of the tongue collapsing against the airway. Both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommend it for consideration as a treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

The signs and symptoms of TMJ/TMD can vary depending on the cause of your disorder. However, there are some common symptoms present in the majority of TMJ/TMD cases:

*Pain that is radiating from the jaw, particularly near the ear, is a common indicator of TMJ/TMD.
*Headaches are also common and may present as a result of jaw/bite discrepancies.
*You may experience aching, pain, and tenderness when chewing or attempting to open your mouth wide.
*In more serious cases of TMJ/TMD, a patient may even experience lockjaw and be unable to open their mouth completely.
*Clicking and popping sounds may occur when opening your mouth.
*Muscle spasms may occur as part of TMJ/TMD

Dr. Drennan incorporates a multifacted approach of care. The same TMJ treatment does not work for everyone. Depending on the underlying factors and triggers of your situation, we will tailor a treatment plan that addresses your unique causes of TMJ disorder to successfully treat them in an appropriate manner.