Oral appliance therapy can be used for the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) pain or sleep apnea. Regardless of why you need oral appliance therapy, it is important to understand that there may be some side effects as you get started. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid treatment or stop completely. It means the more you know, the better you can address any complications.
Each individual will react to treatment in a different way, so it does not always mean you will experience any of these side effects. But it is still good to know just in case.
Side effects are short term
The use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea or TMD may cause some side effects. While many of these side effects are only short term, it is important to understand what might occur.
Some of the possible side effects you may experience are:
- Excessive salivation
- Dry mouth
- Tooth and jaw discomfort
- Temporary bite changes
Other complications to keep in mind
There is alo a risk of developing further complications with oral appliance therapy. When this occurs, it is important to visit your dentist to readjust and alter your treatment.
Some patients might experience other complications such as:
- Jaw pain
- Permanent changes to your bite
- TMD symptoms
These complications are often recognized and managed by dentists trained in dental sleep medicine. Don’t ignore any complications you experience. Instead, contact your dentist for further guidance and information.
Contact Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for more information on oral appliance therapy and what you can expect.
