Frequently Asked Sleep Medicine & TMJ Questions - Albuquerque, NM
Ask Your Sleep & TMJ Experts
We receive a lot of questions from people every day, and we’re always happy to answer them, because in our experience, a knowledgeable dental patient is a healthy dental patient! If you have questions about sleep problems, TMJ/TMD, or our treatment options, you’re always welcome to give us a call. Below, we’ve gone ahead and answered some of the most frequently asked sleep medicine and TMJ questions from our Albuquerque, NM dental patients.
How is a dentist able to treat sleep apnea/TMJ pain?
Dentists are very familiar with the entire oral cavity and how all of the different parts function together. Because this is where the primary symptoms of sleep apnea and TMJ issues occur, this makes them very capable of providing treatment. On top of this, our own Dr. Jariwala has completed hundreds of hours of special training dedicated solely to treating sleep apnea, stopping TMJ pain, and improving the health of the airway.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
In most cases, the symptoms of sleep apnea can be reduced to the point that they don’t affect someone’s life and health anymore, but the condition may still be present. Our goal is to treat the root cause of sleep apnea so that if we can’t make symptoms completely go away, we can weaken them to the point that treatment is much easier to manage compared to more traditional methods (like CPAP therapy).
Does snoring automatically mean that someone has sleep apnea?
No. While snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has this disorder. However, frequent snoring may indicate that a person is likely to develop sleep apnea in the future, so if you or a loved one snore every night, then it would be wise to schedule an appointment for treatment to prevent a serious issue down the line.
How long will it take to treat my sleep apnea?
The answer to this question can vary widely from patient to patient depending on the severity of their sleep apnea and what is causing it. Some patients are able to find instant relief just by wearing an oral appliance to bed, while others may require a more involved process to improve the health of their airway. We can give you a much better estimate for the timeline of your care when you come to see us for a consultation.
How long will it take to stop my TMJ pain?
The time it takes to treat TMJ pain is different from person to person, as this type of pain can have a wide variety of causes. We can typically help a patient enjoy some short-term relief while a more robust treatment is being used to permanently fix the problem.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. Many medical insurance plans offer coverage for sleep and TMJ-focused treatments. To learn how we could use your policy, just give us a call, and we’ll be able to answer your questions.