Thinking back, as opposed to reviewing any historical data, I can't say
that I recall this being a strong issue.  However, when the sleep
studies began to take prominence, there "seemed to be" a surge in the
buzz coming from patients wanting to know more about sleep disorders and
TMJ.  I don't know that any device in and of itself led some people into
joint trouble, but I do have recollection of some people having joint
surgery *and* sleep disorders.  As for true sleep apnea ... I can't say
that I can offer anything specific.

During the 1980's you could toss out just about anything as an unproven
but accepted possible-cause for "TMJ".  The point being that people were
being aggressively treated for "TMJ" with just about anything
imaginable.  The idea of etiology unknown (or in common lay language,
"we just don't know what causes this") was a dangerous thing indeed.  
Every type of practitioner found a way to get on the bandwagon.  

People were put on anti-depressants for "sleep" problems that were
associated with "TMJ pain".  Whether or not the pain was in the
temporomandibular joint or "headache" of some sort was never clearly
distinguished.  Everything was rolled into one large and overly broad
category under the heading of "TMJ".

As an example of how "crazy" this term was... I had doctors who insisted
that I didn't have "TMJ" even though my TMJs were ankylosed.  The
reason?  Those people thought "TMJ" was a psychiatric diagnosis rather
than a medical one.  

Pardon me for sliding off course there just a bit, but in order to
express how confusing things were, I felt it was necessary.  All in all,
I'd like to know what the dental professionals have to say in reply to
your very interesting question.  Have you seen this in your practice?

Webby

Have a patient who uses a CPAP and an NTI works just fine for him.
--

W_B
Take out the G'RBAGE
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