Dr. Merchant and team does thorough exam and workup to see if there is a connection between Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) dysfunction and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Understanding the root cause can help determine the right course of treatment to manage this medical condition with a dental solution.
Studies show that about 75% of TMJ pain patients are diagnosed with sleep apnea, and 52% of OSA patients experience persistent TMJ pain. Health risks for undiagnosed OSA includes:
Signs & Symptoms of TMJ And Neuromuscular Dysfunction:
- Frequent Headaches / Migraine Headaches
- Clenching or Grinding of the Teeth (Bruxism)
- "Popping" or "Clicking" of the jaw
- Cracking, chipping or breaking of dental restorations
- Forward Head Posture
- Deviation of the Jaw
- Ringing or congestion in the ears
- Neck, Shoulders and Back Pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms & fingers
- Worn or Cracked Teeth
- Abnormal Wear of the Teeth
- Unexplained Loose Teeth
- Tender, Sensitive Teeth
- Jaw and Jaw Joint Pain
- Chewing Difficulties
If you have concerns about snoring and sleep apnea, it may be time to make an appointment! TMJ/Sleep workup appointment is the first step to address chief complaint of each patient regarding Airway, Breathing, Sleep and/or TMJ dysfunction. We can help in managing these medical conditions in a dental office. Thorough examination includes:
- Sleep/TMJ Questionnaires
- Palpation of Head & Neck muscles
- CBCT (Cone Beam Tomography to view head and neck)
- HST (Home Sleep Test)
- 3D imaging of upper and lower arch
- Posture Pro evaluation to understand Jaw and body connection