As dentists, we are aware that our patients need a good night’s rest because sleep is imperative to function correctly each day. But when our patients struggle with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMD), they may also experience sleep disruptions. This is often due to the pain and discomfort they feel from this chronic problem. As a dental sleep medicine specialist, you may need to manage sleep apnea and TMD at the same time. To help, Ben-Pat Institute is offering a two-day course on “TMD for the Sleep Dentist” in October. 

Why treat both conditions?

Unfortunately, many dentists describe TMD as a pain problem and not one that they may need to worry about unless a patient seeks treatment. If sleep dentists limit their understanding to only pain, then no pain would mean there is no problem. 

But that can have negative consequences for everyone involved because treating sleep apnea without knowing about TMD can cause further harm to the patient and delay treatment. And we don’t want that. 

Meanwhile there is a relationship between sleep bruxism and sleep breathing disorders, TMD may be diagnosed in patients with sleep apnea. But by becoming a well-rounded dental sleep medicine dentist who is aware of TMJ disorders, you can prevent the condition from happening or manage it when it arises confidently. This can also help differentiate your dental practice from others while also providing the best quality care for your patients.

Join us for our course on TMD

We can help you provide further care for your patients through our upcoming course on TMJ disorders for the sleep dentist. This course offers just what you need to move forward with advancing the care your patients need and deserve. By understanding the TMJ and identifying potential issues, dentists can eliminate complications when managing patients with sleep apnea using an oral appliance.

In this course we will cover:

  • Basic anatomy and neuroanatomy that you need to know to be familiar with treating TMJ problems.
  • How to properly do a sleep and TMD intake (taking measurements and palpating muscles) to document any existing problems before treatment.
  • Radiographs for interpreting sleep and TMD.
  • The different types of TMD problems. 
  • Disc replacements (reducing and nonreducing), capsulitis problems and musculoskeletal problems that may be present before treatment or that arise from using orthotics that treat sleep patients.
  • Pharmacological management of these problems and the different types of TMD orthotics that can help.

What are you waiting for? Sign up today and join us in June for our TMD for the sleep dentist course.