Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Mild or Moderate)
Sleep Bruxism and Snoring
Insomnia related to Orofacial Pain
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Description: Repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing.
Common signs:
Loud snoring
Gasping or choking during sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Treatment at Orofacial Pain and Sleep Center:
Fitting custom oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices) to keep the airway open during sleep
Working in collaboration with sleep physicians (especially if CPAP is not tolerated)
Monitoring treatment effectiveness (home sleep testing, follow-ups)
Description: Involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep.
Common consequences:
Jaw pain
Tooth wear or fractures
Headaches
TMD (temporomandibular disorders)
Treatment:
Custom Sleep Appliance
Botox
Medication
Stress management and behavioral therapy
Addressing any related airway/sleep disturbances
Cause: Chronic jaw/facial pain disrupting the ability to fall or stay asleep.
Treatment:
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
Pain management strategies
Sleep hygiene education
Description: Similar to OSA but without full apnea events; causes sleep disruption due to partial airway collapse.
Common in: Younger, thinner individuals with symptoms of fatigue but normal sleep studies.
Treatment:
Oral appliances to stabilize the airway
ENT collaboration if anatomical narrowing is suspected
Orofacial pain specialist (DMD)
Sleep physician, Neurologist, Pulmonologist (MD)
ENT specialist (if anatomy is a factor)
Psychologist (CBT-I, behavioral support)
Orthodontist or oral surgeon (in structural or growth-related cases)
