Wednesday, January 22, 2014

How Do Dentists Treat Sleep Apnea?

Patients who are dissatisfied with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and reluctant to undergo surgery for sleep apnea might find relief for the debilitating effects of this sleep disorder by visiting a dentist. If you suffer from interrupted breathing during sleep caused by obstruction of the airway, a qualified sleep apnea dentist can evaluate your health and recommend treatment options.

Though your dentist’s recommendation will vary based on the unique circumstances of your condition, a common sleep apnea treatment involves the use of a specially made oral appliance. Oral appliances come in many different forms and serve many different functions to help keep your airway open during sleep and alleviate the severity of sleep apnea, including:

  • Holding the jaw forward
  • Realigning the bite
  • Repositioning soft tissue like the tongue or soft palate
  • Holding the tongue forward
  • Strengthening the tongue to keep it from sagging and obstructing the airway
When selecting a dentist to treat sleep apnea, be sure the provider has extensive knowledge of apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders in order to get informed diagnosis and treatment options. It’s also imperative for the effectiveness of the oral appliance that the device be fitted properly to match the unique structure of your mouth.

Once your oral appliance is in place, maintain an appointment with your dentist at least every six months for the first year of sleep apnea treatment to ensure the functionality of the device and make sure it fits properly within your mouth.

To find out more about potential dental solutions for sleeping disorders, please contact asleep apnea dentist in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.

http://www.ihateheadaches.org/