Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are two different conditions that may not seem to have much in common on the surface. But studies show that having one makes you more likely to experience the other.
At Bay Area Dental Specialists in San Jose, we’re here to help with both. Our skilled prosthodontist, Dr. Ashwini Bhave, has high-level training in all aspects of oral anatomy, including the factors that can play into TMJ and OSA, such as bite alignment and jaw movement. She uses these advanced skills to diagnose, treat, and explain these interconnected conditions to our patients.
Education is an important part of understanding sleep apnea and TMJ, so this month’s blog focuses on understanding the connection between the two.
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and TMJ
Sleep apnea and TMJ disorders are often linked because they both involve issues with the jaw, airway, and sleep patterns.
OSA happens when throat muscles relax excessively during sleep. This causes the soft tissues those muscles control to spread, covering the airway at the back of the throat. This briefly disrupts breathing many times per night, causing snoring, choking, or gasping for air.
TMJ involves dysfunction of the jaw joint. When the joint that hinges the jaw doesn’t move like it should, it’s common to experience pain, jaw clicking, stiffness, or even difficulty opening the mouth.
Experts are still exploring the connection between these two conditions. A recent study concluded that moderate and severe OSA increases tooth wear and tear, changes tooth anatomy, and impacts TMJ symptoms’ level and location.
For example, jaw misalignment from TMJ could contribute to restricted airflow. With OSA, your body instinctively tries to prevent airway obstructions as you sleep — and that could lead to teeth grinding that eventually contributes to TMJ.
Solutions For Sleep Apnea and TMJ
Dr. Bhave diagnoses the root cause of your symptoms and customizes a plan to relieve them while preventing further problems. Two key treatments for many patients with OSA, TMJ, or both include:
- Oral Appliance Therapy: Gently moves your jaw to keep it stable as you sleep, thus keeping your airway clear and alleviating TMJ problems.
- Bite Correction: Adjusting the bite can ease jaw pressure, relieve pain, and help improve breathing. Invisalign is an easy, convenient way to straighten your teeth — and it’s metal-free.
Dr. Bhave and our team can tailor a plan just for you.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea and TMJ
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea or TMJ, like a sore jaw, snoring, chronic headaches, and daytime drowsiness, don’t wait to get help. Call Bay Area Dental Specialists in San Jose at 408-809-7760 to schedule a consultation today.