Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know more about how we can help you feel, breathe, and sleep better? Below, we have compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive every day. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, be sure to give us a call at Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center. We’re always happy to talk to you and make sure you have all the information you need to get out of pain and sleep like a king or queen.
What is TMJ/TMD?
The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, which is what connects the jaw to the rest of the skull and enables it to move freely in all directions. It can sometimes develop strain and inflammation, which can lead to symptoms like a stiff and painful jaw, chronic headaches, and even soreness in the neck and shoulders. These kinds of problems are collectively called a TMJ disorder, or TMD.
What causes TMD?
While there are many things that can lead to the development of a TMD, the most common tend to be stress, strain, injury to the joint, arthritis, teeth grinding (bruxism), and a misaligned bite. Dr. Conditt can determine the root cause of a patient’s TMD using a comprehensive exam at their first appointment.
How can headaches be caused by a jaw problem?
Your head, neck, and mouth are all one interconnected system of muscles, bones, ligaments, and nerves. This means that pain and stiffness in the jaw can easily lead to muscle tension in the head, which often manifests itself as a headache. You can probably feel muscles in your head move as you chew, so it’s easy for any dysfunction in the bite to cause pain in nearby areas of the body.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person experiences brief but frequent cessations in breathing during sleep. This is most often caused by the soft tissues in the mouth and throat relaxing into and blocking the airway, which is known as obstructive sleep apnea.
What causes sleep apnea?
A person can develop sleep apnea due to their airway’s anatomy (such as it being very narrow and easily blocked), issues with their nasal passages (such as a deviated septum), or because they have large tissues in their mouth and throat (such as tonsils and adenoids). Excess fatty tissue around the throat can also narrow the airway and make it more prone to collapse, as can a larger than average tongue or neck.
I snore…do I automatically have sleep apnea?
While loud, chronic snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, it is not an automatic indicator of the condition. However, snoring can still drastically affect the sleep quality of a patient as well as those around them, and people who snore are much more likely to develop sleep apnea in the future. Fortunately, snoring can be mostly or completely stopped by wearing a custom-made oral appliance to bed, which is exactly what Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center provides.
How can a dentist help with sleep issues?
Great question! Sleep apnea physically occurs in the mouth and throat, and in order to treat it, a doctor must have a vast working knowledge of this area…just like a dentist! Dr. Mitch Conditt has over 30 years of experience treating this area of the body and has taken many hours of advanced training to provide oral appliances that are proven to help increase sleep quality and eliminate sleep apnea symptoms.
Do you accept insurance?
Fort Worth Snoring & Sleep Center is contracted with most all medical insurances for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.