Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfuntion (TMJ) causes pain and headaches in millions of people each year. This common problem is caused by clenching and grinding the teeth, typically while asleep.
Research conducted by Dr. Jerald Simmons and Dr. Ronald Prehn has demonstrated that bruxism during sleep is the body's attempt to open up the airway and improve breathing, particularly for people who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. When Dr. Simmons has implemented treatments for OSA, such as CPAP or dental appliances (TAP or other mandibular advancing devices), their TMJ symptoms usually resolve.
Many of these patients can not be placed on a mandibular advancing dental appliance initially because of inflammation from the TMJ; once this improves through the use of other methods such as CPAP, then a mandibular advancing appliance can be used successfully. The physiology of this has been demonstrated and is explained by Dr. Simmons in this video.
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