Having trouble with snoring and disturbed sleep? You might be experiencing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a serious, but common condition that can affect breathing while you sleep. Smile and Glow Dental Clinic in Mogappair, Jawahar Nagar, Chennai can offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for patients who are suffering from sleep-related breathing disorders. What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? OSA is a condition where the airway becomes obstructed while you are sleeping, reducing or fully interrupting airflow. Airway obstruction is typically caused by relaxed muscles at the back of the throat, a large tongue, or a lower jaw positioned backward. Airway obstruction can cause loud snoring, decreased oxygen delivery to the brain, and frequent interruptions of sleep. A significant symptom of OSA is chronic snoring. If left untreated, chronic snoring can lead to complications for the heart and brain, overall health and well-being. Common Causes of OSA: • Weight or obesity • Large neck circumference • Enlarged tonsils or long soft palate • Small or recessed lower jaw • Nasal blockage (deviated septum, allergies, etc.) • Poor tongue posture during sleep • Sleep bruxism and clenching Signs to Look for: • Loud snoring that happens every night • Headaches upon waking • Always tired or sleepy during the day • Dry mouth or sore throat from sleeping • Limited focus and poor memory • Grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism) • Neck and shoulder discomfort • Swelling in the legs (in more advanced cases of OSA) At Smile and Glow Dental Clinic - Mogappair and Jawahar Nagar - we see many patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) struggling with TMJ pain, snoring or tiredness even after sleeping for an entire night. A true sign of sleep-disordered breathing! Diagnosis at Smile and Glow in Mogappair and Jawahar Nagar: Our protocol for diagnosis is here is comprehensive that includes: • Case history + STOP-BANG • Intraoral and extraoral clinical examination • CBCT 3D volumetric scan for airway analysis • Sleep study - Home Sleep Test / Polysomnography • Radiology - OPG, TMJ views, Lateral Cephalogram, MRI • T-Scan for bite force distribution • Jaw tracking & MAT scan • TENS (Ultra-low frequency neural stimulation) for jaw muscle relaxation Why treating OSA is important: Leaving sleep apnoea untreated puts you at risk for some serious health problems which include: • High blood pressure • Heart disease • Diabetes • Stroke • Chronic fatigue • Increased likelihood of accidents due to sleepy. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Treatment Options in Chennai: Depending on the severity of your condition, our clinical team provides: Conservative Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) In the case of obstructive sleep apnea, simple lifestyle changes and non-invasive measures can significantly minimize obstructive sleep apnea severity. At Smile and Glow Dental Center - Jawahar Nagar, Mogappair, we recommend a number of conservative strategies: • Healthy weight – Losing excess body weight will reduce the fat deposits around the upper airway and allow for better airflow. • Avoidance of alcohol – Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the throat, which will worsen breathing interruptions while you sleep. • Limiting sedatives – Sedatives can minimize the body’s normal reflexes which can keep the airway open; therefore, increasing the chance of apnea episodes. • Change sleep position – Sleeping on your side with the support of a wedge pillow will keep the airway from collapsing, whereas sleeping on your back will worsen symptoms by allowing the airspace to collapse. • Nasal congestion treatment – Treatment for sinus or nasal blockage through nasal sprays before bedtime can improve breathing while sleeping at night. Oral Appliance Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Jawahar Nagar & Mogappair At Smile and Glow Dental Clinic, Jawahar Nagar and Mogappair, our clinic aims to be the cornerstone of Sleep Apnea Treatments. Oral appliances are effective for treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and for patients with severe OSA who cannot tolerate nasal CPAP. Custom made dental appliances will reposition the lower jaw forward providing more airway space and ensuring thicker pressing down of the tongue. Just as easily as one would wear a mouthguard, our oral appliances help keep your airway open during the night for a very easy approach to your sleep apnea plan. Orthodontic Expansion for OSA Braces to expand reduced upper and lower jaw, in particular with airway restriction in young adults. ✅ CPAP & EPAP Therapy Other positive airway pressure devices that maintain airborne pressure to ensure airflow throughout the night. Our team ensures these home based devices are calibrated precisely so patients can sleep with comfort and compliance. ✅ Surgical options: • Tonsillectomy or reshaping of the uvula • Jaw advancement surgeries • Nasal surgery to correct deviated septum At Smile and Glow Dental Clinic, Mogappair and Jawahar Nagar, Chennai, our cross functional approach includes a neuromuscular orthodontist (not a typical orthodontist), ENT, physiotherapist, breathing coach, psychologist as well as a pulmonologist… We can take a comprehensive and root-cause approach to sleep apnea!

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are present when there is dysfunction or pain involving the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). The TMJ is located just anterior to the ears and is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. The TMJ is used many times a day for everyday activities including chewing, talking, and yawning. ________________________________________ What Causes TMD? TMD can arise from many causes, often at the same time: • Genetics • Jaw injury • Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) • Dislocation or malposition of the joint disc • Habitual clenching and grinding (bruxism) • Chewing on one side • Muscle tension due to stress • Malocclusion (bad bite) • Impacted third molars (wisdom teeth) • Bad dental restorations (high spots in fillings and crowns) • Sleep breathing disorders (obstructive sleep apnea, often called OSA) Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorders The symptoms of TMD can vary considerably from person to person but may include many of the following: • Pain or soreness in the jaw • Clicking, popping, or grinding noises in the joint • Difficulty or pain experienced when opening or closing the mouth or chewing • Lockjaw (inability or difficulty to open or close the mouth) • Ear-related symptoms: pain, tinnitus, hearing changes • Headaches, migraines • Neck, shoulder, or postural pain • Tooth or gum pain with no active decay • Midline shift or deep bite • Narrow dental arches (V shaped) • Habitual tongue thrusting • Numbness or tingling in the fingers or limbs • Apnea or other breathing issues ________________________________________ Diagnosis of TMD at Smile and Glow Dental Clinic At Smile and Glow Dental Clinic, we follow a neuromuscular dentistry protocol including: • Detailed medical history and clinical evaluation • Detailed intraoral examination, and extraoral-foundation examination • Detailed bite analysis through T-Scan (Digital occlusal analysis) • Radiographs: Full mouth x-ray (OPG), Lateral Cephalobram, TMJ views • Advanced imaging including Airway CBCT 3D volumetry, MRI, and whole body scan if required to rule out TMD contributors • Postural assessment • Sleep study (HST or PSG) • Functional tests using: o ULF-TENS (Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) o Jaw Tracker o MAT Scan What is TENS and How Can it Help TENS therapy is a major part of neuromuscular dentistry. It uses low-frequency electrical impulses to: • Relax muscles of the jaw and face • Block pain from reaching the brain • Increase levels of endorphins (natural pain-relievers) • Improve blood circulation reducing inflammation and tensions And then you'll record post muscle relaxation, and you'll have your natural jaw alignment to be able determine necessary treatment. ________________________________________ Advanced TMJ Disorder Treatment Options at Smile and Glow - Mogappair At Smile and Glow, both neuromuscular dentists and orthodontists take a holistic approach to treat TMJ-related pain. Treatment will include: • Removable splints (MORA - Mandibular Orthopedic Repositioning Appliance), • Orthotic therapy, • Occlusal corrections (braces, restorations), • Or, surgery if all else fails It is important to state that methods of treatment will be devised based on your jaw joint position, muscle function, and bite. ________________________________________ Team-Based Holistic Care for Long-Term Relief Managing TMD and other neuromuscular disorders will involve collaboration from: • Physiotherapists • ENT professionals • Sleep and breath professionals • Psychologists • Yoga/posture professionals Early diagnosis is critical. In general, we recommend evaluating every child by the age of seven. Anyone with chronic jaw, facial, neck, or body pain should be assessed immediately.

When conventional or repeat root canal therapy does not completely heal an infection, periapical surgery, also called apicoectomy, may be the last chance for a tooth to be saved. At Smile and Glow Dental Clinic, Mogappair, our endodontists perform microscope-assisted periapical surgeries to aid with persistent infections and restore health to your tooth and surrounding bone. What is Periapical Surgery? Periapical means around the root apex of a tooth. Periapical surgery is recommended when a deep infection or lesion such as cyst or granuloma is present in the periapical area and is persistent, even after root canal treatment (RCT) has been completed. This small surgical intervention eliminates the source of the infection and allows surrounding bone and tissue to regenerate. When is Periapical Surgery Necessary? A periapical surgery procedure may be recommended in cases of: • Persistent pain, swelling or draining sinus despite RCT or re-RCT • Large periapical cysts or granulomas • Acute perforation in canal(s) or overfilled root canal materials • Severely curved or calcified root canal anatomy not allowing a complete cleaning • Instrument fractures within canal not allowing for effective cleaning • Trauma to tooth or root fractures noted at apex What Is The Procedure? Surgery done under local anesthesia can normally be completed in one appointment. 1. Flap Elevation: A small flap of gum will be elevated to gain access to the infected bone. 2. Bone Access: A small window will be precisely created in the bone to access the periapical lesion. 3. Lesion Removal: The infected tissue will be removed. 4. Root-End Resection: The tip of the root will be trimmed. 5. Root-End Sealing: A bio-regenerative material like MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) is used to seal the root end. 6. Closure: The flap will be sutured back into place for healing. Why Microscope Assisted Periapical Surgery? At Smile and Glow we utilize a dental surgical microscope for all periapical procedures, and here are some of the benefits: • Better magnification and illumination • Accurate identification of cracks or hidden canals • Minimal removal of bone (osteotomy) • Better incisions and suturing • Faster healing and less trauma Microscope-aided surgery significantly enhances the outcome by allowing for accurate detection, cleaner access, and longer-lasting sealing which ultimately reduces the risk of reinfection. Why it is important to NOT delay treatment If a periapical infection goes untreated, it will be allowed to spread and damage nearby bone, and adjacent teeth. Periapical surgery aims to save the affected tooth, restore comfort, and help avoid extraction. Are you looking for expert periapical surgery in Mogappair? Let the experienced hands at Smile and Glow Dental Clinic, and our advanced technology, take care of your dental procedure. Schedule your consultation with our microscope endodontics team now, and take the first step towards saving your natural tooth.