TMJ & sleep apnea
Jaw pain, grinding, and the appliance that stops it.
Morning headaches, a jaw that aches, teeth that are visibly flattening, a partner who can hear you grinding. These usually have the same cause and a straightforward fix that most people put off for years.
Clenching, grinding and TMJ
Bruxism — clenching or grinding, usually at night and usually unconsciously — wears enamel down, cracks existing fillings and puts the jaw joint under load it was not built for. Left alone for long enough it turns into crowns and root canals.
A custom night guard is made from a scan of your bite in hard acrylic, so it holds the jaw in a position that takes the load off the joint. It is not the soft tray sold in pharmacies, which many people chew through in months and which can make clenching worse.
Signs worth mentioning at your next exam
- Waking with a sore jaw or a headache at the temples
- Teeth that look shorter or flatter than they used to
- Fillings or crowns that keep failing on the same side
- A clicking jaw, or one that catches when you open wide
- Sensitivity that moves around rather than staying in one tooth
Sleep apnea appliances
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition and needs a diagnosis from a physician or a sleep study. What a dentist can contribute is the appliance.
A mandibular advancement device is a custom-made appliance worn at night that holds the lower jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway open. For mild to moderate cases it can be an effective alternative to CPAP, and it is most often used by people who have tried CPAP and could not tolerate it.
It is small, silent, needs no power and travels in a case the size of a glasses case — which for a lot of people is the entire reason they stick with it.
If you have not been diagnosed but you snore heavily and wake unrefreshed, mention it. The office can point you toward getting that assessed properly.
Common questions
TMJ & sleep apnea
Can a dentist help with jaw pain?
Often. Jaw pain, morning headaches and worn teeth are frequently caused by clenching or grinding, and a properly fitted guard addresses the cause rather than medicating the symptom.
Is a custom guard really better than a pharmacy one?
Considerably. An over-the-counter guard is a soft generic tray. Many people chew through them, and a soft surface can encourage more clenching rather than less. A custom guard is made to your bite in hard acrylic.
Can an oral appliance replace CPAP?
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea it can be an effective alternative, particularly for people who cannot tolerate CPAP. You need a diagnosis from a physician or sleep study first — a dentist cannot diagnose sleep apnea.
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
Waking with a sore jaw, headaches in the morning, teeth that are flattening or chipping, and a partner who can hear it. Dr. Bowman can usually identify the wear pattern at a routine exam.