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- The Wellness Hour - Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea with Framingham, MA dentist Mark Hanna, DMD
Relief from Sleep Apnea and TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and sleep apnea are two conditions that can greatly affect your daily life and function. Improper jaw joint function (or TMJ disorder) causes jaw pain, headaches, and teeth grinding and clenching. Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by frequent breathing cessations during sleep, leading to chronic fatigue and health risks. While you can experience one condition and not the other, it’s not surprising if individuals have symptoms of both TMJ disorder and sleep apnea. In fact, one condition can lead to the other.
In either case, the result can be a life characterized by discomfort in everyday activities. Seeking sleep apnea or TMJ treatment from a dentist knowledgeable about these conditions and their connection can provide relief! Our team understands this connection and is trained in comprehensively diagnosing and treating your symptoms. We can help you regain an energized and healthy life with personalized sleep apnea and TMJ treatment in Framingham, MA.
Improving Energy with Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is a medical condition where the muscles in the throat relax and close on each other during sleep, causing individuals to stop breathing for 10 or more seconds at a time, repeatedly throughout the night. Every time this occurs, the body semi-wakes so it’s impossible to receive a restful sleep each night and feel energized during the day. At Grace Dental, we can treat your symptoms with a minimally invasive dental appliance that fits comfortably inside your mouth. Dr. Mark Hanna knows first-hand the benefits of this appliance, as he’s been using one to treat his symptoms for many years! Custom-fitted to your teeth, the tiny device will keep your lower jaw in a forward position, so your airway remains open while you sleep. This simple repositioning of your jaw can help you experience a deeper, more restful sleep, more energy throughout the day, and reduce your risk for health complications. Common sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- Dry throat or mouth
- Constant fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Mood changes
- Weight gain
Resolving Jaw Pain with TMJ Treatment
TMJ disorder is often associated with crooked teeth or misaligned temporomandibular joints. Without harmony between the teeth and jaws, problems like grinding and clenching (bruxism), chronic jaw pain, and headaches can develop. Our personalized TMJ treatment includes oral appliances and Invisalign® orthodontics. Much like an oral appliance for sleep apnea, a TMJ appliance keeps the teeth in a healthy position in the mouth. Separated by the appliance, the teeth cannot grind or clench, giving the jaw, joints, and muscles a chance to rest and find balance. Invisalign for TMJ treatment involves straightening the teeth so they fit together properly when you bite. Teeth that don’t have to fight against each other to find a harmonious occlusion keep the surrounding joints and muscles from becoming overworked and strained, relieving your symptoms. You may need TMJ treatment if you have the following symptoms:
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Muscle soreness or spasms
- Jaw clicking or locking
- Chronic headaches
- Pain when chewing
