OUR PROCESS

The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ is a dental clinic dedicated to helping you with sleep apnea, snoring, and TMJ pain. It’s time to smile again as you finally get a good night’s rest!

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The First Appointment

Your initial exam will consist of a 15 to 20 minute history review and evaluation with our doctor. You will fill out standard medical questionnaire forms and questionnaires specific to your problem (sleep or TMJ). If you haven’t had a panoramic radiograph taken by your dentist in the past 6 months, we will take one for you. After reviewing this screening information our doctors will know whether you require further evaluation and treatment in our office, whether you should be referred to another practitioner, or whether your problem is likely to improve with simple home treatments. If our doctors believe they can help you, further diagnostic records may be recommended. These vary depending on the findings in the initial evaluation. Below are some of the diagnostic records that we often use, listed in order of which records are most often recommended.

Panoramic Radiograph

A panoramic radiograph shows a panorama of the jaws and some of the associated structures. It is used as a screening film to initially rule out such things as tumors, abscessed teeth, missing teeth, large cavities, fractures, etc.



Dentists will often take this type of film every few years to evaluate for these things as well as evaluation of bone loss around the teeth or periodontal disease.


A panoramic dental x-ray — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

Study Models

Scans of the teeth will be taken in order to evaluate your bite and monitor any changes to your bite.


These same study models are used when we make a splint if that is appropriate for your care.


Dental impression trays — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

CT Scan

The Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ works with Facial Imaging of Idaho to provide our patients with in house CT scans. The cone beam CT is used for imaging of the head and gives incredible three dimensional views of the jaws, temporomandibular joints, and associated structures.


The wonderful thing about the cone beam CT is that the technology only uses 1/40th of the radiation dose of older medical CT scanners, making it much safer and gives us a greater diagnostic image. The CT scans taken at Facial Imaging of Idaho for our office are read by a board certified radiologist.

CT Scan Results — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Some of our patients are referred for an MRI study of the TM joints. MRI is the only way to confirm that a disc is out of place in the jaw joint (disc displacement without reduction or jaw locking). MRI allows soft tissue such as the TMJ disc to be imaged where CT and normal x-rays do not. MRI uses strong magnets to affect the tissues, and a computer is able to interpret this information into images.

Patient being prepared for an MRI scan — The Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ — Boise, ID

Sleep Apnea is a serious medical concern. Find out how we can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does sleep apnea affect my overall health?

    Sleep apnea can worsen other health problems by causing intermittent drops in blood oxygen levels, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the disrupted sleep patterns associated with sleep apnea can also lead to daytime fatigue, depression, and poor concentration, which can negatively impact overall health and well-being.

  • Does sleep apnea occur in children?

    Sleep apnea also affects children. Usually, this is due to the child having large tonsils that obstruct the airway; just like in adults, often snoring is a sign of an obstructed airway. Some of the problems common in children that have been linked to sleep apnea include:


    • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
    • Mood disorders
    • Bedwetting
    • Problems learning
    • Growth problems

  • How does sleep apnea affect my bed partner?

    Sleep apnea can also adversely affect the sleep of the bed partner of the person with sleep apnea. Please click the link to read a study done by the Mayo Clinic on the effect of Sleep Apnea and Snoring on the Bed Partner on the bed partner.

  • How is sleep apnea treated?

    Oral appliance therapy has become a widely used and accepted method of treating sleep-disordered breathing. The gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Although CPAP is usually very effective in treating OSA, there are many patients who are not able to tolerate its use. If you have tried to use CPAP but have given up on using the therapy, an oral appliance may be for you.


    The quality of your sleep greatly affects your quality of life. The good news is that help is readily available from a sleep apnea clinic and usually doesn’t require medications. If you think you may have sleep apnea or you know someone who might, please ask us for a referral to a qualified sleep specialist in your area, or talk to your primary care doctor. Treating sleep apnea can add more life to your years and more years to your life.