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Involuntary grinding and clenching of teeth at night, known as Nocturnal Bruxism, is a significant problem for millions of Americans and can lead to a painful condition known as TMJ or TMD, Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction. It has been recognized for many years that a relationship exists between Nocturnal Bruxism and OSA. Recent research conducted by Dr. Simmons has demonstrated that 25% of patients with OSA demonstrate Nocturnal Bruxism.
Most interestingly, his research has demonstrated that treating the OSA with CPAP resolves the Nocturnal Bruxism in most cases. His research concludes that Bruxism occurs during sleep in an attempt to protect a person’s airway that would otherwise collapse. Frequently, patients can ultimately be successfully treated with a specialized dental appliance that holds the jaw forward during sleep.
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Further Reading
“Missing Link between Teeth Grinding and Sleep”
Medical Matters News, April 27, 2010 article: Jerald H. Simmons, MD and Ronald S. Prehn, DDS discover link between bruxism and OSA
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Click Here for the .pdf poster “Airway Protection: The Missing Link between Nocturnal Bruxism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea”
Presented at the 2009 APSS Conference by Jerald H. Simmons, MD and Ronald S. Prehn, DDS
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Click here for the PDF poster “Nocturnal Bruxism as a Protective Mechanism Against Obstructive Breathing During Sleep”
Presented at the 2008 APSS Conference by Jerald H. Simmons, MD and Ronald S. Prehn, DDS
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The Occurrence of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Patients With Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
Presented at the 2011 APSS Conference by Ronald S. Prehn, DDS and Jerald H. Simmons, MD
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Neurology of Sleep and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Their Relationships to Sleep Bruxism
Presented in DCA Journal, Vol 40, No 2 by Jerald H Simmons, MD