What's new in TMJ and Breathing

Dr. Ledermann and Dr. Tenholder presented a webinar on November 9 on Laser Assisted Non-Surgical Treatments for Craniofacial Pain and Sleep Disordered Breathing

AACP Online Education – Webinars
Training | Events»Webinars
 Laser Assisted Non-Surgical Treatments for Craniofacial Pain and Sleep Disordered Breathing
November 9, 2022 | 7:00pm Central TimeAs science and technology evolve to improve access to innovative approaches to patient care, the AACP community strives to encourage our members to explore treatment options for their patients.  This presentation will allow the viewer to become familiar with several non-surgical laser assisted techniques currently available to address supporting patients suffering from craniofacial pain and sleep disordered breathing.

Learning Objectives:
  1. Understand the mechanism of action of using light-based energy to create changes in both functional and structural aspects of the craniofacial region
  2. Create an awareness for the multiple clinical applications of these technologies and techniques
  3. Learn about the different wavelengths of non-ionizing energy delivered by several of the laser delivery systems that are being utilized by providers from around the world to create therapeutic tissue and cellular level changes to improve sleep quality and reduce the severity of craniofacial pain
  4. Become familiar with some of the specific techniques being utilized by our community of providers to improve quality of life for their patients
  5.  
Links to recordings will be found on aacfp.org and youtube.

MRI Scan shows what happens to the body during speech, swallowing, and singing

Here’s a fascinating video of tongue movements during speech and swallowing. Proper lip and tongue posture, especially during swallowing and at rest, can play an important part in airway and jaw development. There are many congenital and environmental factors that can hinder correct oral posture, including tongue ties or a restricted nasal airway

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN1bOLazEOI&t=23s

4 signs of sleep apnea to watch out for

Has your bed partner been complaining about your snoring again? If your partner continually complains that you sound like a freight train every night, don’t you think it’s time to get checked out? Loud snoring might be a clear sign you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Here are four obvious signs to lookout for to help you better understand this condition.

You Wake Up Thirsty. Do you wake up every morning (or even throughout the night) and think you just walked out of the Sahara Desert your mouth is so dry? A clear sign of sleep apnea is dry mouth and the need to drink more water. Snoring can cause dry mouth and a sore throat, so be on the lookout for this.

A Morning Headache. Poor sleep can lead to morning headaches. Waking up with a headache is never fun, so pay close attention to when these headaches occur. If you suspect your headache is caused by your sleeping condition, it might be time to contact us for further information.

Sore Jaw or Sensitive Teeth. During your sleep, you might be clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth at night. This typically occurs in an effort to force enough air through the airway. Pay attention to your jaw and teeth when you wake up, and even throughout the day.

Frequent Nighttime Bathroom Breaks. Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom? Or maybe even a couple times throughout the night? Interrupted sleep can lead to more frequent urges to use the bathroom. Pay attention to how frequently you are waking up throughout the night.

If you find that you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact Minnesota Craniofacial Center, P.C., for more information on sleep apnea.

Welcome Dr. Cervenka!

We are excited to announce the addition of a new dentist to our growing TMJ and sleep practice! Dr. Mora Cervenka joined us in January 2018. See her bio here.