Do you feel chronically tired? Does your partner complain about snoring? Do you feel jaw pain when you yawn? Let us know so we can help.

Man smiling after relieving TMJ pain in Phoenix

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Sleep Apnea and TMJ Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Man snoring while is wife covers ears with a pillow Without a good night’s rest, our health and well-being can be at risk. If you always feel tired or moody, even after sleeping all night, we encourage you to give us a visit at Arcadia Dentistry for a sleep evaluation. Dr. Milana can establish if you suffer from sleep apnea and provide treatment so that you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that results in interrupted sleep due to obstructed airways. There are three types of sleep apnea: central, mixed, and obstructive. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common; however, any kind of sleep apnea can cause issues with sleep.

Sleep apnea occurs when your airway is blocked, usually due to your throat and tongue muscles relaxing. This can restrict oxygen flow to the brain, which causes the brain to signal the body to awaken so that breathing can continue. Someone suffering from sleep apnea may not be consciously aware that they are snoring or gasping for air, but anyone they share the bed with will be. Many of our Phoenix patients come in for a sleep evaluation when their partners or family members let them know how loud they are during sleep.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

There are many signs for sleep apnea, the most common being consistent sleepiness or feeling tired. Dr. Milana can determine whether you have sleep apnea after an evaluation; other common signs include:

Consistently having a sore or dry throat
Dry mouth after sleep
Loud snoring
Choking or gasping during sleep
Feeling sleepy
Low energy
Morning headaches
Memory loss
Mood changes
Weight gain
Inability to sleep

Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Phoenix

Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea condition, Dr. Milana may recommend one or several options. Many Phoenix patients find relief with night guards, an oral device that clears the airways and prevents obstruction. Other patients get a good night's rest with a CPAP machine, which uses a mask to blow air through the nose and mouth to keep the airway open.

Are You Experiencing Jaw Pain?

Have you been waking up to pain in your jaw joint, neck, and head? Do you feel a click when you yawn or chew? If you feel pain that has not decreased, you may be suffering from TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

At Arcadia Dentistry, we understand that how chronic jaw pain can affect your quality of life and lead to more pain. If you find yourself regularly taking pain relievers and suffering through the pain, please let Dr. Milana know. You shouldn’t have to accept pain as part of your daily routine.

Dr. Milana can help you with your pain and give you back your life.

What Is TMD?

You may have heard the term TMJ before, as referring to any disorders revolving around your jaw joint, but the actual medical condition is TMD. TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the sliding hinge that connects your jaws to your skull. Therefore, all issues with your joint fall under the term TMD.

Reasons people may suffer from TMD include:

Poor posture
Trauma to the jaw
Grinding your teeth
Anxiety and stress
Arthritis
Forceful chewing
Orthodontic treatment

Treatment for TMD at Our Phoenix Office

We know how unmanageable chronic pain can be, but you don’t have to resign yourself to living with anxiety and fear of pain. Dr. Milana has proven methods for relieving your symptoms and allowing you to live your life as you please. From pain killers to anti-inflammatory medicine, to muscle relaxants and nightguards, Dr. Milana will be able to determine the right combination of treatment options that work individually for you.

A Treatment Plan that is Customized to You

At Arcadia Dentistry, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment plan that can be applied to every patient. Everyone has different bite alignments, teeth placement, imperfections, and needs that require a unique treatment plan.

Our goal is always to identify and determine your source of pain and decrease it while drawing up a plan of action to prevent future pain. The comfort and happiness of our Phoenix patients are vital to us, and we look forward to working together to find the dental solution that works for you.

Schedule an Appointment at our Phoenix Office

If you have trouble sleeping or keep experiencing mouth pain, do not hesitate to call Arcadia Dentistry. Dr. Milana will determine the best course of action for you so you can live your best life again.

They are excellent at putting you at ease!

Wonderfully friendly and patient staff. While I never like going to the dentist for serious work, they are excellent at putting you at ease! Thank you.

- Zona D.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will TMJ Pain ever go away?

Millions of American adults suffer from TMJ—a condition that causes jaw and neck pain, earaches, headaches, and many other painful symptoms. At Arcadia Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Milana understands how painful and stressful this condition can be and can ease your discomfort.

After evaluating your needs through a comprehensive dental exam, our TMJ dentist in Phoenix will make recommendations for relieving your pain. In many cases, the most effective solution is a simple oral appliance worn at night while you sleep.

First, let’s take a look at what your TMJ is, why it’s causing pain, and the treatment approaches we use to relieve it.

What Causes TMJ Pain?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw to your upper jaw. The TMJ controls the up and down and side-to-side movement of your lower jaw and works with ligaments, bones, and muscles to help you speak and chew.

As one of the most-used joints in the body, it’s easily overworked and can become sore, just as a knee or elbow joint would after a workout. When a problem occurs with the TMJ, either in the way it functions or the pain it causes, dentists refer to it as TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

Other common causes of TMJ pain are teeth grinding or bruxism, malocclusion (bite problems), arthritis, or trauma to the jaw or face.

How Long Does TMJ Pain Last?

Treating the causes and symptoms of TMD requires an individualized approach, and our dentist in Phoenix, AZ develops a plan for treatment based on your needs. We understand that TMJ pain can take over your life, but we have solutions that can help manage it and provide the relief you so desperately need.

The good news is that many patients can work through their TMJ discomfort using these techniques and live full, happy, and productive lives.

Treatment to Relieve Your TMJ Pain

At Arcadia Dentistry, we like to start with conservative approaches first. Since stress is often a factor, we may recommend relaxation techniques like massage, yoga, and meditation.

Stress also leads to teeth grinding or bruxism, which is another common cause of TMJ pain, and many people grind their teeth during sleep without realizing it. In this case, relieving TMJ pain in Phoenix, AZ is as simple as wearing a nightguard over your upper teeth while you sleep.

The guard prevents your upper and lower teeth from contacting each other, which gives your TMJ a chance to rest and recover.

Call Us for TMJ Pain Relief in Phoenix

At Arcadia Dentistry, we work to identify the source of your TMJ in Arcadia so we can provide effective treatment and help you return to a more comfortable life. Contact our Arcadia dental office today to learn more about how we can assist with TMJ relief.

If you suffer from headaches, jaw joint pain, or soreness, give us a call right away. We will help manage your pain and increase your comfort levels.

I snore. What can I do about it?

While snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores suffers from this sleeping disorder. At Arcadia Dentistry, we take your snoring seriously and can conduct a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea.

How Can I Tell If I Have Sleep Apnea?

While our Phoenix may have one or multiple symptoms of sleep apnea, the only way to treat it is after conducting a sleep study. During a sleep study, your actions during sleep are recorded and monitored. Come into our dental office if you are experiencing any of the following:

Loud snoring
Gasping during sleep
Constantly feeling sleepy
Dry or sore throat in the mornings
Morning headaches
Irritability

Talk to Us About Your Symptoms

If you know your sleep is affecting your daily routine, call Dr. Milana for a correct assessment. If we conclude that you suffer from sleep apnea in Arcadia, we can start to treat it so that you can get your life back on track.

Call Arcadia Dentistry today to schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Milana. Don't keep yourself—and your partner—up all night anymore!

How do dentists diagnose and treat sleep apnea?

Some dentists can diagnose and treat sleep apnea, including Dr. Milana at Arcadia Dentistry!

Sleep apnea is characterized by irregular breathing patterns and lapsed breathing during sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea is what we most commonly treat. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a person’s airway is blocked, inhibiting their ability to breathe properly.

Diagnosis and Treatment of OSA

Sleep specialists and physicians can typically diagnose sleep apnea by using digital or panoramic x-rays, visual exams, CT scans, and/or sleep tests.

Depending on the patient’s condition, Dr. Milana may recommend oral appliance therapy. Some oral appliances patients use include night guards, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, and mandibular advancement splints. These appliances are designed to fit in the mouth and open up the airway for easier breathing.

Causes of OSA

OSA can occur for many reasons, such as:

Obesity
Family history
Enlarged oral tissues (i.e., tonsils, uvula)
Position of tongue, jaws, or teeth
Excessive overbite
Deviated nasal septum
Hormonal changes (i.e., menopause)
Large neck (in circumference)
Smoking cigarettes
Use of sedatives (i.e., alcohol, medication)

Common Symptoms of OSA

Common symptoms of OSA include:

Your Phoenix sleep apnea dentist can help diagnose your sleep apnea and resolve your symptoms with modern dentistry and close collaboration with a local physician.

Ready for a Full Night’s Sleep?

Our team of dental experts at Arcadia Dentistry works together with local trusted physicians to control sleep apnea and improve the lives of our patients. To learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Arcadia, please contact our Phoenix, AZ dental office.

Does TMJ cause fatigue?

Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ, can cause fatigue, especially in the jaws and face. Plus, the pain alone can make people feel tired and uncomfortable, resulting in loss of sleep.

People with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other similar conditions are often more prone to TMJ problems. TMJ disorders can also cause jaw misalignments, which can result in airway blockage and contribute to snoring or sleep apnea.

Common TMJ Symptoms

Arcadia Dentistry can diagnose the concern and provide relief from TMJ symptoms like:

Headaches
Pain and pressure in the jaw and face
Earaches
Locking jaw
Popping when opening or closing the mouth
Painful chewing and biting
Tenderness and swelling around the jaw muscles
Misaligned bite or teeth that don’t come together properly

Your dentist can diagnose TMJ disorders by assessing your medical and oral health history, examining your mouth and jaws, and taking x-rays. If you have any jaw pain or dysfunction, please let your dentist know so we can develop an effective treatment plan for you.

TMJ Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

In some cases, TMJ symptoms may resolve on their own, but persistent symptoms can benefit from treatment. Depending on your symptoms, your dentist can recommend a conservative or more vigorous approach. Dr. Milana at Arcadia Dentistry can help alleviate your pain and help treat TMJ and sleep apnea or snoring in Arcadia using custom-made mouthguards and nightguards.

Other conservative treatments include:

Reducing stress and anxiety
Avoiding wide yawning and chewing gum
Using ice packs and heat packs
Taking anti-inflammatory medications or muscle-relaxers

Other treatments include surgery, orthodontics, or injections.

Does TMJ make you tired? Our dentist in Phoenix, AZ, can help! Get in contact with us for treatments to relieve TMJ symptoms and help patients have healthier, more comfortable smiles.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Matthew Milana DDS, FAGD
Dentist

Dr. Matthew Milana is a highly rated dentist who offers a complete menu of general, preventive, and cosmetic services to residents living in communities across the Valley of the Sun. From Arcadia Dentistry, his state-of-the-art practice in Phoenix, Dr. Milana is dedicated to improving the oral health and surpassing the cosmetic needs of every patient he treats.

Dr. Milana received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he also completed his residency in general dentistry. He went on to obtain a certificate in advanced education for ...

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