Sleep Apnea & TMJ

Depositphotos_105889394_l-2015 (1)

Having trouble sleeping?

Sleeping and dental conditions go often are interrelated.  If you have mild sleep apnea, issues with a popping, clicking, or sore jaw joint, or head or neck pain, there are night time appliances that Dr. VanderLaan can make which will provide you with significant relief.  Let us help identify if the following treatments might help you sleep better, and improve your quality of life.

TMD Therapy:

Temporomandibular Dysfunction, or “TMD”, refers to any popping, clicking or pain in the Jaw joint, or TMJ.  Many modalities can be used to treat jaw issues, the most common one is a Bite Splint or Bite Guard.  Bite guards have also been know to help patients who suffer with headaches and neck pain. Dr. VanderLaan is typically able to recognize symptoms of TMD and prescribe a splint at routine exams.

Sleep Apnea Appliance Therapy:

For patients diagnosed by their physician with mild to moderate sleep apnea, sometimes Dr .VanderLaan can fabricate a mandibular advancement appliance that can help.  Often times this appliance can relieve your sleep apnea enough to avoid the need for a C-Pap machine or other costly medical procedures.