TMJ Treatment & Sleep Apnea
Professional TMJ Treatment & Sleep Apnea Treatments
TMJ Treatment
Many adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or headaches and neck pain.
Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. They include muscles and ligaments as well as the jawbone – the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints called the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ.
The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing or speaking.
There are several treatments for TMJ disorders. Dr. Hine may recommend stress-reducing exercises, certain medications, or wearing a mouth protector
to prevent teeth grinding and relieve pressure in the TMJ area. Treatment may involve a series of steps beginning with the most conservative options. In many cases, only minor, relatively non-invasive treatment may be needed to help reduce pain.
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a syndrome in which the airflow does not move smoothly and consistently. This can even cause periods where the patient stops breathing effectively. Resulting complications include daytime sleepiness that can be severe, headaches, loud snoring, and disturbed nighttime sleeping. Patients affected with OSA frequently have high blood pressure and potentially dangerous heart problems. The diagnosis of OSA requires an all-night sleep study recording by working with your primary care physician.
The treatment objective for OSA is to maintain airflow throughout the night. A potential treatment Dr. Hine can help with is temporarily moving the lower jaw and tongue forward during sleep with the use of dental appliances. Sleep Apnea can be a very serious health problem and can't be overlooked as "just snoring." You shouldn't put off getting it treated!