Where: Hult Health Education Center – 5215 N. Knoxville Ave. (Near Proctor Hospital)

When: Tuesday, June 7th with Two Meeting times: 2pm or 6pm

RSVP to 309-243-8980 or email info@illinoissleepdoc.com

Meet the Presenter:

Dr. Willey is a licensed general dentist and has been practicing dentistry in the Peoria area for over 25 years. He is founder of Maple Shade Dental Group and the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine. His career path has taken him from studying guided growth orthodontics and neuromuscular dentistry to the treatment of sleep disordered breathing. Dr. Willey has been awarded recognition in the field of TMD Developmental Diagnosis and is a Diplomate with the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry. He has dedicated his practice to the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea and TMD. “Making a difference in the lives of my patients is what I look forward to every day.”

Discussion Topics:

• Do Oral Appliances STOP the Snoring?
• Can Headaches be related to Sleep Apnea?
• Health Risks of Sleep Apnea
• Who is an Oral Appliance Candidate?
• Medical Insurances, Medicare, & More

Conquer Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and Fatigue with a comfortable oral appliance. The Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine provides provides services to the Peoria, East Peoria, Bloomington, Galesburg, Illinois (IL) areas. Call 309-243-8980 to schedule a consult today.

Lisa’s symptoms were a sign of a much bigger problem. She is one of the 18 million Americans with sleep apnea, a chronic condition in which the airway collapses during sleep.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, 90% of these patients go undiagnosed.  The pauses in breathing can last from 10 seconds to a minute or longer and can increase risk for high blood pressure, stroke, depression, irritability, lower sexual drive, and reduction of intellectual ability.

A sleep study revealed that Lisa stopped breathing 13 times per hour during the night.  Her physician prescribed a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) to treat her sleep apnea.  “I tried to use the CPAP, but developed a rash due to a latex allergy and was unable to continue wearing it,” Lisa says.

Even after being prescribed Ritalin, two depression medications, and a headache medication, Lisa wasn’t finding relief.   “I had to take 3 medical leaves within 10 months,” she says.  “I never felt rested or had energy no matter how much I slept,” she continued.

After three more sleep studies and an NAP study, Lisa was told she was not getting into REM (Rapid Eye Movement) or restful sleep.

“It really hit me at Christmas when I was so tired I couldn’t stay up past 7pm to spend time with my family,” she says.

Because Lisa was CPAP intolerant, her physician suggested she try a dental appliance for her sleep apnea.  “I had heard positive things from other people who had family or friends who were doing much better with their sleep apnea after using the dental device, so I decided to try it,” she continues.

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, “Only about 60% of CPAP users are still using the CPAP after the first few months.” Unfortunately this means that about 40% stop using their CPAP.  “Oral sleep appliances provide a comfortable alternative for patients who cannot wear CPAP,” says Dr. Rod Willey of the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Oral appliance therapy has come to the forefront as a very viable and scientifically based treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine issued a statement in the 2006 Journal SLEEP declaring that oral appliance therapy is an excellent treatment option for those suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and is proving to be effective for severe cases as well.  The purpose of the oral appliance is to hold the jaw in a position that allows the airway to remain as open and firm as possible during sleep, preventing snoring and sleep apnea.  Oral appliances are similar to athletic mouth guards, but less bulky and completely non-invasive. Oral Appliance Therapy is covered by most medical insurances and Medicare.

“I noticed an immediate difference in the first few nights of wearing the appliance,” says Lisa.  “I could breathe so much better and was feeling rested in the morning. I was even dreaming again.”

At her oral appliance consultation, Lisa was also screened and diagnosed with TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder), a condition that can cause headaches, neck and facial pain, jaw popping, locked jaw, ringing in ears, teeth grinding, and more.

“For many years I had lived with intense headaches and facial pain and did not know that I had TMD,” says Lisa.

“Sleep apnea and TMD are often inter-related, and we find many patients suffer with both problems,” says Willey.

It’s only been a few months since Lisa was treated for sleep apnea and TMD, and she is no longer experiencing extreme fatigue, headaches, or depression.  She is able to return to normal life and has energy to work and spend time with her family and friends. “I have been able to quit taking most of my medications, and I no longer feel depressed. I have the energy from actually sleeping and getting quality rest thanks to my oral appliance,” says Lisa.  “My co-workers cannot believe the difference it’s made in my energy level and mood.  I tell them, it’s like having my life back.  I am so excited to finally be feeling energetic and happy again!  This has truly changed my life,” says Lisa.

For more information on dental treatment for sleep apnea and TMD please contact Dr. Bill Costaras or Dr. Rod Willey at the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine.  The Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine provides  snoring, sleep apnea, and TMJ Disorder treatment to the Peoria, East Peoria, Bloomington, Galesburg Illinois Areas.

Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• You normally feel tired even after a full night of sleep.
• You experience consistent headaches in the morning.
• You snore loudly and frequently.
• You make choking or snorting sounds during sleep.
• You stop breathing during sleep.
• You suffer from depression or irritability.
• You have a family member who has sleep apnea.
• You have experienced unexplained weight gain or are having a hard time losing weight.
• You frequently get up to use the use the bathroom during the night.
• You have high blood pressure.
• You fall asleep while driving or during periods of daytime inactivity.
• Neck size of 17in+ (men) or 16in+ (women)
• Waist size of 40in+ (men) 36in+ (women)
• Body Mass Index (BMI) 30 (men) and 26 (women)
• You are woman with Hypothyroidism or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• You are a menopausal or postmenopausal woman.

“Chronic Headaches Connection to Sleep Apnea/TMJ Disorder”

Dunlap, IL. –  A Free Public Education Meeting will be held at the Hult Health Education Center on Monday, March 14th with two meeting options at either 2pm or 6pm.  Dr. Bill Costaras and Dr. Rod Willey of Peoria, IL, will be presenting on Chronic Headaches related to TMJ Disorder and Sleep Apnea. Free Sleep Apnea and TMD Screenings will be available to the public.  Seminar topics include: Unexplained Headaches Revealed, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, & TMJ Connection, Treatment Options for TMJ & Sleep Apnea, and Medical Insurance Coverage.

As a general dentist Dr. Bill Costaras has dedicated his career to full mouth restorative and cosmetic dentistry, he is a Fellow of the International Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics and a Fellow of the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics. Having reconstructed over 800 full mouth cases, Dr. Costaras is proficient in not only creating beautiful smiles, but accomplishing comfortable, functional occlusion as well. Knowing that a properly aligned bite has corrected many TMJ issues for his previous patients, Dr. Costaras furthered his training in the field of TMJ disorders and is a member of the Academy of Cranial Facial Pain.  Dr. Costaras’s warm personality, education, and years of experience make him an exceptional dentist.

Rodney Willey has been practicing dentistry in the Peoria area for over 25 years.  He is founder of Maple Shade Dental Group and the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine.  His career path has taken him from studying guided growth orthodontics and neuromuscular dentistry to the treatment of sleep disordered breathing.  Dr. Willey has been awarded recognition in the field of TMD Developmental Diagnosis and is a Diplomate with the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry.  He has dedicated his practice to the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea and TMD.  “Making a difference in the lives of my patients is what I look forward to every day.”

For more information regarding this seminar please visit IllinoisSleepDoc.com or call the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine at 309-243-8980.

Are you a woman taking oral contraceptives (birth control) or post-menopausal estrogen hormone replacement?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you could be suffering from a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).  According to the National Pain Foundation, 75% of Americans suffer from TMD symptoms at different points in their lives. Tooth grinding or jaw clenching at night caused by stress or other factors, neck and shoulder problems, trauma such as a car accident or sports injury, and even malocclusion (misalignment) of the teeth can cause or contribute to inflammation in the temporomandibular joint, resulting in TMD.

If you’re a woman, you could be at an even greater risk.

Although 75% of the American population experiences Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) symptoms, between 5-12% of the American population actually suffer from what health care practitioners consider TMD (Lipton et al., 1993; Dworkin et al., 1990; Svensson et al, 2001; Duckro et al., 1990). The research is showing that the majority of patients treated for TMD are women.  In fact, women account for 80% of those presenting to their health care practitioners with temporomandibular joint complaints between the ages of 20-40. Pain onset tends to occur after puberty, and based on the gender and age distribution of TMD, scientists think a possible link between the disease and estrogen level may exist (Landi et al, 2004; Warren & Fried, 2001; Dworkin et al, 1990.)

The TMD pattern suggests that endogenous reproductive hormones (hormones found within a woman’s body) pay play a role in TMD. Onset of pain often occurs after puberty, TMD occurs more often in women than men, and the prevalence is lower for women in post menopause. Landi (2004) and his team found higher levels of a substance called 17-beta-estradiol, in patients with TMD compared to healthy controls.  Estradiol is the predominant sex hormone present in women and is also produced in males as a product of testosterone.

Exogenous reproductive hormones (hormones taken into the body) such as birth control pills or estrogen administered post-menopausally have been shown to significantly increase the odds of TMD by 30% and 20% respectively (LeResche et al., 1997).  Abubaker (1993) and colleagues found that women suffering from TMD reported higher use of exogenous hormones than controls.

Because women suffer from Temporomandibular joint disorder in inordinately larger numbers than men, scientists are concluding that the sex hormone estrogen may play a role (Wang et al., 2008).

For more information on Treatment Options for TMJ Disorder and Headaches contact Dr. Bill Costaras at the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine at 309-243-8980 or email us at info@peoriatmj.com. The Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine provides services to the Peoria Illinois, East Peoria Illinois, Morton Illinois, Bloomington Illinois, Galesburg Illinois, and surrounding Illinois areas.

Does your jaw make popping, clicking or grating sounds when it moves?

If so, you could suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, found just above your ear canal on either side of your head. According to numerous studies, 75% of the U.S. population will experience symptoms of TMD at one time or another in their lives.

Pain is the most common reason people in the United States seek medical or dental care (Gremillion, 2000.)

Research in TMD is showing that there are many factors that can cause TMD and periodic inflammation in the temporomandibular joint.

Chewing gum excessively or biting your nails can inflame your temporomandibular joint and may cause TMD.

Sometimes, TMD appears following tooth loss, inflammation of the dental pulp, or because of a malocclusion, what your dentist would explain as the alignment of your being “out of whack” when you bite down or chew food.

TMD may also be the result of what is referred to in dentistry as “bruxism,” unconscious teeth grinding while you sleep.  Grinding your teeth at night can result in loss of the surface of your teeth and puts stress on the temporomandibular joint, because although you’re asleep, your jaw is still working throughout the night—without you even knowing it!  However, not everyone with temporomandibular joint disorder grinds his or her teeth. The National Institutes of Health suggest the possibility that stress associated with bruxism may be what causes temporomandibular joint pain, not the grinding itself.

Even the size of the bites of food you take can affect the temporomandobular joint—opening the mouth too widely or taxing your jaw trying to chew big bites of food, or food that is sticky, such as caramel or toffee, or chewy, such as a rare steak or raw vegetables may cause inflammation and result in symptoms of TMD.

TMD may also be the result of trauma to the jaw—such as car accidents or sports injuries.

For more information on treatment for TMD, schedule a consult with Dr. Bill Costaras at the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine in Peoria Illinois at 309-243-8980 or email us at info@peoriatmj.com.

• Does your jaw make popping, clicking or grating sounds when it moves?
• Do you have trouble opening and/or shutting your mouth?  Does your jaw feel stiff, tired or catch or lock in certain positions? Are you able to open your mouth as wide as usual?
• Do you have  jaw aches and pain? Earaches, headaches, toothaches and neck and shoulder pain?
• Are you experiencing ear-related symptoms such as stuffy ears, hearing loss, dizziness or problems with balance?
• Are you a woman taking birth control or post-menopausal estrogen?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder.

A Milwaukee, Wisconsin newspaper article from late 2010 tells the story of Heidi Clark, a woman suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) who has been in and out of operating rooms since 1988.  Repeated failed jaw implant surgeries, wherein jaw implants fractured, embedded in her muscles, and caused her unimaginable pain lead to inquiries into FDA procedures regarding TMD and its treatment, financial conflicts of interest that affected research outcomes, questionable TMJ jaw implant manufacturers, and action taken against the surgeons who performed the surgeries.

Sound scary?  That’s because it is.  TMD is a condition involving the temporomandibular joint, bone and cartiledge resembling a ball-and-socket that sits right above your ear canal on either side of your head. When the joint slips out of position, pain can result, and TMD is characterized by clicking or popping of the jaw when you open or close your mouth, persistent headaches, and sometimes chronic pain.

TMD is widespread. According to the National Pain Foundation, 75% of the United States population has experienced one or more signs or symptoms of TMJ.  Many of those suffering have symptoms that come and go over time, but 5-12% of people have more severe symptoms and should seek treatment (Lipton et al., 1993; Dworkin et al., 1990; Svensson et al, 2001; Duckro et al., 1990).  Women are twice as likely to experience TMD as men are, and physicians and dentists agree that the condition is one with a number of contributing factors.

Heidi Clark is not alone. Countless other stories of temporomandibular joint treatment resulting in disfigurement and death have been reported by newspapers and watchdog organizations across the country as far back as the initial identification of the condition by the medical and dental communities approximately 30 years ago.

Think you or a loved one might have TMD?  Don’t worry.  Over the next eleven weeks we will be exploring TMD, its causes, conditions that often accompany it, and your options for treatment—all in terminology you can understand.

Doubting Your Diagnosis? Headaches & Oral Facial Pain Revealed

Submitted By: Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine

If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, back and neck pain, dull aching facial pain, or popping in your jaw you are not alone. Dawn had suffered from constant headaches her whole life.  “My headaches never seemed to go away and I had to take aspirin every day just to mask the pain,” says Dawn.  Another patient, Debbie also suffered from debilitating migraines. Even when one headache subsided, another would come unexpectedly.  It hit her like a ton of bricks and she would be forced to stop all her plans, and wait. She visited her primary care doctor. She visited her neurologist. She tried numerous headache medications. But nothing worked for her. Then one day, she was visiting her dentist, Dr. Bill Costaras, of the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine. He could tell she wasn’t feeling well and asked her if she had a headache. “I was so tired of my head hurting I wanted to cry,” says Deb.  After a screening for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), Dr. Costaras and Dr. Rod Willey started Deb down a path of answers and yes, relief from her headaches.

Approximately 35 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems. While both men and women experience TMJ disorders, the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their 20’s and 30’s.  Many believe stress or a busy lifestyle is to blame but do not realize that these symptoms are often related to their jaw muscles and their jaw joint known as the temporomandibular joint or TMJ.  Your bite can be a factor in many types of pain or functional problems because of the inter-relationship of the overall muscle and skeletal system.

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

TMD is a condition involving the temporomandibular joint, bone and cartiledge resembling a ball-and-socket that sits right above your ear canal on either side of your head. When the joint slips out of position, pain can result, and TMD is characterized by clicking or popping of the jaw when you open or close your mouth, persistent headaches, and sometimes chronic pain. “I have many patients who come to me complaining of headaches, jaw and facial pain as well as pain in the ears, never realizing that their pain was caused by a misalignment in their jaw,” says Costaras.  Some people, however, report no pain, but still have problems using their jaws.  View the diagram for additional signs and symptoms of TMD.

Causes of TMJ Disorder

The cause of TMD is not clear, but dentists believe that symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the parts of the joint itself.

Macrotrauma to the jaw, temporomandibular joint, or muscles of the head and neck such as from a heavy blow or whiplash are common causes of TMD. Other possible microtraumas include:

• Grinding or clenching the teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the TMJ
• Tooth loss, misalignment of teeth
• Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket
• Presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
• Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth
• Chewing gum excessively or biting your nails can inflame your temporomandibular joint and may cause TMD.

Dental Treatment for TMD

Until recently, most dentistry was based on the assumption that wherever your bite was naturally was the correct position.  However, the natural bite may not be comfortable or functional for the patient.  In fact, malocclusion, or a  ‘bad’ bite can be involved in pain and/or dysfunction of various areas of the body, which seem to have nothing to do with dentistry.  Comprehensive Dentistry objectively evaluates the complex relationship between the teeth, nerves, muscles and jaw joints.  Dentists who are trained to treat TMD are able to establish a harmonious relationship between these factors, resulting in a jaw position that achieves optimal occlusion and increased function and comfort for the patient.

Diagnosis & Treatment

“Because other conditions can cause similar symptoms including a toothache, sinus problems, arthritis, or gum disease we will conduct a careful patient history and clinical examination to determine the cause of the patient’s symptoms,” explains Costaras.  “We then examine the temporomandibular joints for pain or tenderness, listen for clicking, popping or grating sounds during jaw movement, look for limited motion or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth, and examine bite and facial muscle function,” he continues.

Diagnosis and treatment for TMD, utilizes advanced technologies such as Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography (a 3D Cat Scan of the head and neck with only 10% the radiation of a normal CT).

“After finding the optimum true rest position for the jaw a custom made appliance called an orthotic is created to promote healing and maintain the new, corrected bite position,” says Costaras.  “While the orthotic will temporarily stabilize the jaw, permanent stabilization may be necessary,” Costaras continues.  Options may include wearing a long-term orthotic, providing orthodontic treatment, placing crowns or veneers on the affected teeth, or creating a neuromuscular denture.

Tempormandibular joint disorder can cause a myriad of other physical problems. To provide optimal care for the patient the dentist may work with a variety of other specialists including: neurologists, rheumatologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and others.

Dr. Bill Costaras has teamed up with Dr. Rod Willey of the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine to provide comprehensive treatment for patients with TMD. To contact the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine call 309-243-8980 or email them at info@illinoissleepdoc.com.

Sources: Jennifer Krahe, TMJ.org, WebMD

Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

• Headaches
• Jaw Joint Pain
• Clenching or Grinding
• Sensitive Teeth
• Facial Pain
• Jaw Clicking
• Ear Congestion
• Limited Mouth Opening
• Dizziness
• Chewing Difficulties
• Loose Teeth
• Postural Problems
• Neck Pain
• Ringing in Ears
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Tingling in Fingertips
• Excessive Snoring
• Sleep Apnea

“Oral Appliance Therapy for the treatment of Snoring, Sleep Apnea, & TMD”

Dunlap, IL. –  A Free Public Education Meeting will be held at the Hult Health Education Center on Tuesday, February 8th with two meeting options at either 2pm or 6pm.  Dr. Edward Spiegel of Phoenix, AZ and Dr. Rod Willey of Peoria, IL, will be presenting on Oral Appliance Therapy for the treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea: a comfortable alternative to CPAP.  Free Sleep Apnea Screenings will be available to the public.  Seminar topics include: How to know if I have Sleep Apnea? Can Headaches be related to Sleep Apnea? Health Risks of Sleep Apnea, What is Dental Sleep Medicine, Oral Appliance Therapy, Comfortable Alternative to CPAP, Insurance Coverage for Oral Appliance Therapy.

Dr. Edward Spiegel has been practicing dentistry for over 40 years. He is a co-founder of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.  Dr. Spiegel is one of the most respected and highly-credentialed dentists of the sleep disorders dentistry field.  As CEO and founder of Dental Innovations, LLC. Dr. Spiegel lectures, mentors and trains dentists nationwide. His knowledge comes from years spent honing his own protocol for treating sleep disordered breathing with oral appliance therapy. He has been published in renowned medical journals and continues to shape the face of dental sleep medicine today.

Dr. Rodney Willey has been practicing dentistry in the Peoria area for over 25 years. He is founder of Maple Shade Dental Group and the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine.  His career path has taken him from studying guided growth orthodontics and neuromuscular dentistry to the treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing.  Dr. Willey has been awarded recognition in the field of TMD Developmental Diagnosis and is a Diplomate with the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Dentistry.  He has dedicated his practice to the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea and TMD.  “Making a difference in the lives of my patients is what I look forward to every day.”

For more information regarding this seminar please visit IllinoisSleepDoc.com or call the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine at 309-243-8980.