Sleep Apnea Dentistry

Sleep apnea dentistry is not something many people think about when they think of this sleep disorder. However, dentists play an essential role in treating obstructive sleep apnea, along with doctors and other professionals.

Learn the types of sleep disorders.

Some dentists train and specialize in sleep medicine. They have studied the various options for appliances used within the mouth to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. Patients who have the sleep disorder sleep apnea may have tissue that is blocking the passage of air through their airway. These appliances fit within the mouth, comfortably, and work to keep the airway open. This reduces or even stops the loud snoring and difficulties breathing that these patients have.

In addition to these dentists providing appliances that fit within the mouth to improve airflow, these professionals also specialized in upper airway surgical procedures. These surgical procedures may remove unnecessary tissue that causes the sleep apnea symptoms to occur.

Sleep apnea dentistry falls under the category of dental sleep medicine. This area of study focuses on sleep related breathing disorders, sometimes shortened to SBD. This area of medicine focuses on obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, specifically, and other conditions as they relate to the patient. Those who study dental sleep medicine learn numerous techniques for improving sleep apnea and other SBD.

• Dentists will select the appropriate solution for the patient's airway. This may include an oral appliance or an upper airway surgery depending on the conditions.
• If an appliance receives selection, the dentist then must fabricate the appliance and fit it within the individual's mouth ideally. The device needs to work, but also needs to be comfortable within the person's mouth while they sleep.
• The dentist is likely to need to make adjustments over time to ensure that the oral appliances fits properly and is working effectively. A sleep study may be conducted at any time (before or after the fitting) to ensure the device is working properly.
• The dentist then provides long-term follow up care to the individual. Replacement of oral devices, additional dental problems and other concerns has proper handling as they occur.

Those that study dental sleep medicine will explore the various oral appliances as well as how those appliances work. Many of these devices work to reposition the lower jaw. They may also pull the tongue base forward to open the airway more effectively. In situations where the sleep apnea condition has worsened to a severe level or when there are complications that make sleep apnea life threatening, dentists and doctors will work together to determine if a surgical procedure is necessary. The only time dentists use surgery as a solution is when the anatomy of the individual is the main contributing factor in the upper airway obstruction. To diagnose this, various scans and examinations are necessary.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea or you believe you do, a dentist is not the first person to speak with regarding the situation. Rather, you must first work with a sleep disorder physician. This doctor will recommend a sleep study after making an initial diagnosis of the sleep apnea. The sleep study will show the doctor if you have the obstructive form of sleep apnea.

After a physician has performed this type of exam, he or she then may make a recommendation for oral appliances or other treatment options. Most commonly, those with mild to moderate sleep apnea will receive instruction to lose weight or use an oral appliance during sleep. Those with severe sleep apnea may use a CPAP device, which forces air into the airway to keep it open during the night. A result is a surgical procedure.

However, as a patient, it is important to ensure that your sleep physician and your sleep apnea dentistry team are working together to solve your problem. Often, the sleep physician will recommend the dentist especially when there is a need for an oral appliance or a surgical procedure to take place to rectify your obstructive sleep apnea.

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