Corpus Christi Sleep Apnea Dentistry, TMJ, and Performance Enhancing Mouthguards

Dr. Don Lowrance

Are you troubled by constant headaches, neck pain, or ringing in the ears? Are you waking up in the morning feeling unrested? Do you feel you aren’t reaching your full potential as an athlete? The secret cause of all these problems could be your jaw.

Our bodies are amazing machines, and some of the most amazing parts of our bodies are the systems created by nerves, muscle, and bone. One of the most intricate of these systems is the neuromuscular system that ties our jaw to the rest of our bodies. The neuromuscular functionality of our bite affects more of our overall neuromuscular health and well-being than we understand even with today’s amazing technology.

Dr. Don Lowrance has been practicing dentistry since 1975 and he has focused on neuromuscular dentistry as the area of dentistry that he is most passionate about. Neuromuscular dentistry is the practice of addressing dental health as essential of the overall neuromuscular and physical health of the patient. Dr. Lowrance has the training and equipment to treat neuromuscular problems, but for the diagnosis of sleep apnea, he relies on the expertise of trained physicians.

Contact Dr. Lowrance if you’re interested in any of these areas of neuromuscular dentistry:

Sleep Apnea
TMJ
Performance Enhancing Mouthguards (Pure Power Mouthguards®)

Sleep Apnea

A poorly configured airway can lead to obstructive sleep apnea. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, approximately 18 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea as of September 2009. Many people think of sleep apnea as a sort of pseudo-ailment that amounts to little more than a poor night’s sleep combined with the nuisance of snoring. In reality, sleep apnea can cause problems ranging from sexual dysfunction to heart failure. It is a potentially life threatening condition that should be treated seriously. Dr. Lowrance is trained in the treatment of sleep apnea, but he does not diagnose the condition. Because the jaw is the primary bone that supports the airway, a bite appliance can be used to treat sleep apnea. Read more about sleep apnea.

TMJ

A neuromuscular bite imbalance can also have painful consequences in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the complex joint that connects your lower jaw (the mandible) with your skull. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or commonly referred to as simply TMJ) can cause a whole host of symptoms of imbalance such as headaches, ringing in the ears, and jaw pain to name a few. Dr. Lowrance enjoys being able to help people rid themselves of what can be crippling problems as a result of TMJ. Read more about TMJ therapy.

Performance Enhancing Mouthguards

One of the most advanced applications of neuromuscular dentistry is the ability to enhance athletic performance through neuromuscular mouthguards. Sports mouthguards built on neuromuscular principles do not give an athlete unnatural ability like steroids do. Rather, the sports mouthguards that Dr. Lowrance provides unlock the innate athletic potential that may be inhibited by a misaligned temporomandibular joint. Read more about performance enhancing mouthguards made with neuromuscular dentistry.

If you live in the Corpus Christi area, contact Dr. Lowrance’s office at (361) 851-8274 for a consultation.

TMJ Disorder

Tmj Can Cause A Variety Of Painful Symptoms.

If you suffer from jaw pain, frequent headaches, or other symptoms that you think may be caused by TMJ, Dr. Lowrance can help without resorting to invasive surgery.

Snoring And Sleep Apnea Go Hand-In-Hand.

Do you or someone you love have a chronic snoring problem? Did you know that snoring is the number one indicator of sleep apnea, which is a potentially life-threatening disease?

Can’t Stand Your Cpap? You’re Not Alone.

While CPAP is still regularly prescribed, the AASM now recommends oral appliance therapy for the first line of treatment because CPAP treatment can be so miserable.

Self Screening: Do You Have Sleep Problems?

The Berlin Sleep Questionaire

This self-administered test provides a risk assessment of sleep apnea and other sleep related issues.

Begin Test

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

This self-administered test is used to determine your level of daytime sleepiness which can be caused by sleep apnea.

Begin Test

From Our Blog

Oral Appliances Can Now Track Usage

We talked recently about how insurance companies often require tracking of your CPAP usage as a condition of coverage. For some people, this can be a real barrier to using oral appliances, especially if you have to use CPAP as a pilot or truck driver due to DOT regulations. That may soon be changing, now that the FDA has cleared oral appliances that can also track your usage.
Something Old, Something New
SomnoMed married tracking technology and
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Corpus Christi Sleep Apnea Dentistry, TMJ, and Performance Enhancing Mouthguards

Dr. Don Lowrance

Sleep Apnea

TMJ

Performance Enhancing Mouthguards

Treatment Options

TMJ Disorder

Snoring / Sleep Apnea

CPAP Alternatives

Affiliations