For those with TMJ disorders

BuddhaCat · Post by **BuddhaCat** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:02 am

I was diagnosed with TMJ a few months ago and with OSA a few weeks ago. Met with my TMJ specialist yesterday and just wanted to pass this along . . .

The doctor says that he often sees folks with both conditions, so there's some correlation.

Regarding CPAP treatment, he says that I should never use a chin strap. He doesn't want me putting more pressure on my jaw. In addition, he mentioned that wearing a pillow mask like Tap Pap isn't a good idea for me. I'm already wearing an oral appliance for the TMJ, so the mouthpiece in the Tap Pap wouldn't work (and would be contraindicated).

He said that an OSA-related oral appliance might work at some point, but he prefers that I use CPAP while my TMJ is being treated.

Good luck, everyone. Are there any other TMJ/OSA-ers out there?

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:13 am

I wonder what a dentist might observe on the use of alternate mouth-closing strategies,
like cervical collars, the St Bernard beer keg, or chin up strips.

BuddhaCat · Post by **BuddhaCat** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:22 am

Great question. I'd be curious too. I'd never heard of the chin up straps but, just looking at them online, I bet my doctor wouldn't object.

I'd guess his likely objection to the chin strap is that it mimics the feeling of tension you get when you clench your jaw. For those who already have problems with clenching, that might encourage more clenching. The chin up strap looks pretty harmless, though.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:27 am

A link to the chin-up strips:
http://www.chinupstrip.com/
--and my pattern for "DIY-ers":

For those with TMJ disorders

For those with TMJ disorders

Re: For those with TMJ disorders

Re: For those with TMJ disorders

Re: For those with TMJ disorders