Sleep Concerns
There is a strong connection between pain and sleep. Research shows that pain thresholds are significantly impacted not only by the quantity but the quality of your sleep. As thresholds drop, normal activity stimulates pain in the muscles and joints and is accentuated when these tissues are overworked even in the absence of injury.
Issues falling asleep or staying asleep can contribute to a myriad of temporomandibular symptoms to include morning headache, neck pain (cervicalgia), and sore jaw muscles.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep condition in which breathing is interrupted by
physical blockage of the airway. Episodes of shallow or stopped breathing triggers the brain
awake. OSA is characterized by loud snoring and gasping or even abrupt awakenings during
sleep. Common symptoms include daytime sleepiness and brain fog. Left untreated, OSA is
associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Oral appliances for OSA work by retaining the lower jaw (mandible) in a forward position
during sleep thus preventing airway blockage and reducing snoring. While these appliances
can be very effective, they must fit properly and be adjusted appropriately to prevent
problems with the jaw muscles, jaw joints, and the way your teeth fit together. Treatment of
OSA is imperative for long term health. Oral appliances are small, easy to transport, do not
involve hoses or masks, do not rely on electricity, and make no noise. Many patients are interested in oral appliance therapy because alternative treatments are either unappealing or not well tolerated. In fact, oral appliances can be as effective as the "gold standard" treatment of CPAP. We will work together to determine which treatment option is best for you.