JEFF: I have an oral device (sonomed) for sleep apnea. It gave me TMJ. I haven't been able to tolerate cpap.
Dr Shapira: YOU STATE THAT YOU HAVE A SOMNOMED TO TREAT SLEEP APNEA BECAUSE YOU CANNOT TOLERATE CPAP.
It is excellent that you have chosen to treat the sleep apnea which can cause heart attacks, strokes, memory loss and excessive daytime sleepiness. Morning Headaches and headaches that wake patients from sleep are usually the result of sleep apnea or TMJ disorders ie "TMD"
YOU THEN STATE THAT YOU DEVELOPED TMJ BUT GAVE NO SPECIFICS AS TO SYMPTOMS. TMJ STANDS FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT, NOT A DISEASE. It is important to understand the SPECIFIC problems so they can be addressed. Patients wearing oral appliances for sleep apnea may experience bite changes or tooth movement but damage should not occur to the joints. It is essential to work with a dentist who has training in treating sleep apnea and TMJ disorders.
I frequently see patients whose bite changes but the feel better. Many of the changes that occur when wearing a sleep appliance are actually due to the body healing. The same developmental problems cause both sleep apnea and TMJ disorders, migraines and chronic daily headaches.
Neuromuscular Dentistry is one of the best approaches to treating headaches and TMJ disorders.
ACCORDING TO THE NHLBI SLEEP APNEA IS A TMJ DISORDER. SEE http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops/tmj_wksp.pdf You have actually developed a new symptom from the same disorder but because you didn't specify symptoms I can not specify what to do next.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that dentists treating sleep apnea with oral appliances should be well trained in treating TMJ disorders. I SUGGEST THAT THE BEST QUALIFIED DENTISTS FOR TREATING TMJ DISORDERS ARE NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTS.
IF YOU CAN GIVE ME SPECIFIC INFORMATION I MAY BE OF MORE HELP. Please review www.ihateheadaches.org to learn about Neuromuscular Treatment of TMJ Disorders, headaches and migraines.
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comments: I have an oral device (sonomed) for sleep apnea. It gave me TMJ
I haven't been able to tolerate cpap
