What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder marked by abnormal breathing while you're sleeping, such as repeated and extended pauses in breath. It's one of the most under-diagnosed medical conditions, with roughly 80% of those suffering from it going untreated. While there are many clues that your dentist or dental hygienist may pick up on, the only way to conclusively diagnose apnea is to have a polysomnogram at a sleep disorder clinic or do a simplified form of testing at home.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Some of sleep apnea's symptoms aren't obvious, and that's why many people don't know they have it. Feeling tired (even after a full night's sleep), gasping for air while sleeping, and snoring loudly are some hallmarks of this sleep disorder.

What treatment options are available?

Option 1: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

The most popular and effective treatment for sleep apnea and snoring is using CPAP. Delivering air pressure through a mask (that is somewhat greater than the ambient pressure) to keep upper airway passages open is immensely beneficial for some people.

Option 2: An oral appliance

For many patients, an oral appliance is a more comfortable option and easier to use than CPAP to control snoring and sleep apnea. An oral appliance fits like a mouth guard, with upper and lower sections resting on your teeth. Many different designs exist, but most work by keeping your lower jaw in a slightly forward position, which in turn keeps your tongue from collapsing into the airway and causing snoring or sleep apnea.

Option 3: Surgery

Typically, surgery is a consideration only after other treatments have failed.

Note: Before any treatment, we advise having a polysomnogram or doing a simplified form of testing in your own home before determining which treatment methods will be most beneficial for you.

What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?

When you drift into a deep sleep, the tissues of your mouth and throat naturally relax. But when internal structures relax enough to restrict airflow, the air must travel through a smaller space. A loud vibration begins, and you're snoring.

Sleep apnea has the same root cause as snoring; only the airway blockage is complete, which causes a cascade of different and dire issues. Oral structures relax and impinge with enough pressure to block air from passing into your lungs. And every time your breathing stops, blood pressure and heart rate increase, and your brain sends a signal to wake you so you will breathe again. For some people, this sleep/wake cycle repeats hundreds of times each night, severely disrupting their sleep.

Are there dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is associated with many significant health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. An elevated heart rate and high blood pressure have their momentary benefits in times of immediate danger. But being in a constant state of "fight or flight" every night will have long-term, detrimental effects on your health.

What is the TMJ?

"TMJ" is the acronym for temporomandibular joint—a sliding hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. It allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Everyone has two of them—one on the left and one on the right.

What is TMD and its associated symptoms?

"TMD" is the acronym for temporomandibular dysfunction. It is a non-specific term for temporomandibular joint issues, such as:

- Pain, tenderness, or swelling in or around the jaw joint that may radiate to the face, ear, neck, or shoulder

- Jaw joint clicking, locking, or popping

- Trouble opening the mouth

- Sudden discomfort when chewing

- Headaches

What are common causes of TMD?

- Clenching and grinding teeth (bruxism)

- Stress

- Arthritis or other forms of degenerative joint disease

- Traumatic accidents that have caused damage or inflammation in or around the jaw joint

- Genetics

How are TMD and facial pain treated?

Sometimes TMD and facial pain can be self-managed, but we can do things together that help.

- Rest

- Eating soft food

- Limited opening of the mouth

- Anti-inflammatory medications

- Oral appliances, such as splints and night guards

- Physical therapy utilizing heat and ultrasound

- Biofeedback therapy

- Neuromodulator therapy (Botox injections) for muscle relaxation

- VIORA radiofrequency treatments

What healthcare professionals treat TMD, facial pain, and headaches?

Both doctors and dentists diagnose and treat TMD and myofacial pain. Besides surgery, medications, physical therapy, oral splints, and mouth guards, two more innovative and highly effective approaches are now on the therapeutic options list.

Targeted radiofrequency therapy (VIORA) and neuromodulators for muscle relaxation (Botox injections) are some of the newest treatment modalities available—and both are in use at the Center for Smile Enhancement. Dr. Sudit was one of the first dentists in Minnesota to use injectable neuromodulators to treat TMD and was the pack leader in incorporating radiofrequency therapy into his dental practice.