The Sleep Show
with Dr. Bethaney Brenner, DMD
Saturdays at 6:30 AM · WDRC / Talk of Connecticut · Also on YouTube
Most people never connect their jaw pain to their sleep — or their sleep to their fatigue, their hair loss, their headaches, or the way they feel every morning. The Sleep Show is where those connections get made. Dr. Bethaney Brenner, DMD — one of only five practitioners in the world to hold a DTR Mastership, and Burlington, CT’s three-time America’s Best Dentist — breaks down the science of sleep and the surprising ways your mouth, airway, and nervous system shape how well you rest. After 45 years of treating patients, she knows what most doctors miss.
Watch the Latest Episodes
He Drove 300 Miles to Fix His Jaw — Years of Misdiagnosis, TMJ Pain & Sleep Apnea Finally Resolved
A patient who traveled across state lines after years of being dismissed — and finally got answers. This episode explains why TMJ and sleep apnea are so often missed, and what whole-body dental care actually looks like.
What We Talk About on The Sleep Show
Every episode connects one of these topics to your daily life — in plain language, no jargon.
Sleep Apnea & Airway Dentistry
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million Americans, yet most go undiagnosed. Dr. Brenner explains how airway anatomy, jaw position, and tongue posture affect breathing during sleep — and what dentists trained in airway health can do about it. Custom oral appliances are an FDA-cleared alternative to CPAP for mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
TMJ & Temporomandibular Disorders
TMJ disorders cause jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and earaches in an estimated 10 million Americans. Many TMJ patients also experience disrupted sleep. The Sleep Show covers the connection between jaw dysfunction and sleep quality — and treatment options beyond pain medication, including DTR therapy, the most advanced precision-guided approach to TMJ care.
Bruxism & Teeth Grinding
Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) wears down enamel, fractures dental restorations, and disrupts deep sleep. Episodes explore the relationship between bruxism, airway obstruction, and stress — and explain when a standard night guard is enough versus when the underlying cause requires deeper treatment.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Custom-fitted oral appliances are FDA-cleared for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Brenner explains how mandibular advancement devices work, who qualifies, how to get a sleep study in Connecticut, and why many patients prefer them over CPAP — especially those who cannot tolerate the mask.
Pediatric Sleep & Airway Health
Children who grind their teeth, snore, or breathe through their mouth at night may be showing early signs of airway obstruction or sleep apnea. Dr. Brenner explains what parents in Connecticut need to watch for — and why early intervention matters for development, behavior, and long-term health.
Sleep & Whole-Body Wellness
Poor sleep is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, hair loss, and immune dysfunction. Dr. Brenner connects dental and jaw health to systemic health in language patients can actually use — making the case that what happens in your mouth at night shapes how your entire body functions during the day.
About Dr. Bethaney Brenner, DMD
Dr. Bethaney Brenner has practiced dentistry in Burlington, Connecticut since 1980 — over 45 years of clinical experience in sleep medicine, TMJ disorders, and airway-focused dentistry. She is one of only five dental professionals in the world to hold a DTR (Disclusion Time Reduction) Mastership, the highest level of training in precision-guided TMJ therapy.
The Sleep Show started because patients kept asking questions their doctors didn’t have time to answer. It has aired on WDRC 1360 AM every Saturday since.
“The connection between jaw health and sleep is profound — and still underappreciated by mainstream medicine.”
— Dr. Bethaney Brenner, DMD
- 1 of 5 Dentists worldwide with DTR Mastership certification
- 4× Named America’s Best Dentist (2013, 2016, 2017, 2021)
- 2009 CT Magazine Top Dentist
- 45 yrs Practicing in Burlington, CT since 1980
- AADSM Member, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- AAOP Member, American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- ADA Member, American Dental Association
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Sleep Show with Dr. Bethaney Brenner?
The Sleep Show is a weekly radio program hosted by Dr. Bethaney Brenner, DMD, airing every Saturday at 6:30 AM on WDRC 1360 AM / Talk of Connecticut. Each episode covers sleep medicine, TMJ disorders, airway dentistry, and whole-body wellness in plain language. Past episodes are free to watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@BethaneyBrennerDMD.
Can a dentist really help with sleep apnea?
Yes — dentists trained in airway health and sleep medicine are a frontline treatment option for sleep apnea, especially mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Custom oral appliances (mandibular advancement devices) are FDA-cleared and can reposition the jaw during sleep to keep the airway open. For patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, an oral appliance from a qualified sleep dentist is often the most effective alternative. Dr. Brenner has specialized in this area for over 45 years.
What is the connection between TMJ and sleep apnea?
TMJ dysfunction and sleep apnea frequently occur together and can worsen each other. When the jaw is misaligned, it can narrow the airway during sleep, reducing oxygen flow. The body responds by clenching and grinding — which damages the TMJ and disrupts sleep architecture. Treating the jaw alignment often improves both conditions simultaneously. This is why Dr. Brenner evaluates sleep patterns and airway function for every TMJ patient.
What is DTR therapy and how does it treat TMJ?
DTR — Disclusion Time Reduction — is a precision-guided approach to TMJ treatment that uses computerized analysis of how the teeth come together during movement. Instead of guessing at the source of jaw pain, DTR measures the exact biomechanical forces driving it. Dr. Brenner holds Masters-level DTR certification, a credential held by only five dental professionals worldwide. This level of training means TMJ patients in Connecticut have access to one of the most advanced approaches to jaw pain treatment available anywhere.
Where is Dr. Bethaney Brenner’s practice located?
Dr. Bethaney Brenner practices at 8 Milford Street, Burlington, CT 06013. She serves patients throughout central Connecticut including Burlington, Avon, Farmington, Bristol, Simsbury, Plainville, and West Hartford. To schedule a TMJ or sleep consultation, call (860) 673-7155 or use the form below.
Your jaw, your sleep, your health — they’re all connected.
If you’ve been watching these episodes and recognizing yourself in the symptoms — the fatigue, the jaw tension, the restless nights, the morning headaches — Dr. Brenner would love to talk. A consultation is the first step.
Or call us directly: (860) 673-7155
