You may be wondering whether a general dentist can help if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Unknown to many, dentists actually provide oral appliances for patients after diagnosing them with a sleeping disorder like snoring and sleep apnea. These oral devices work by keeping the airways open while sleeping. Continue reading to learn more about how a general dentist can help treat sleep apnea.
The patient will need to find out if a general dentist is knowledgeable about dental sleep treatment. This means the dental professional has had training in oral appliance therapy. The oral appliances are created specifically to correct breathing disorders and function by keeping the airways open while sleeping. This aspect of dentistry focuses on helping patients who have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder like snoring or sleep apnea to get better sleep and improve their overall wellbeing with the provision of oral appliance therapy.
General dentists can help their patients manage and treat a sleeping disorder like sleep apnea after a diagnosis. The dental approach is typically gentle and non-invasive. To determine whether the condition is present, the dentist may offer a sleep study or pharyngometer test, which precisely shows the size and collapsibility of the air passages. This simple test typically lasts between two to five minutes.
If the tests show there is a chance of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the patient will undergo a sleep study that records the biological functions of the body during sleep. The dentist will review the result of the study, and if it indicates OSA, the next step is to fabricate a dental appliance for the patient.
Oral appliance therapy requires that sleep apnea patients wear their device while sleeping. The general dentist can create a custom oral appliance using impressions of the patient’s oral cavity. For the device to work effectively, it must fit properly inside the mouth.
The mouthpiece is designed to move the jaw forward during sleep and reposition the soft tissues of the oral cavity, including the tongue, soft palate and tonsils so that they do not restrict airflow. Once the airway is free, the patient will experience a good night of sleep.
There is also the option of using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device to treat OSA. The device forces air through the air passages and maintains airflow throughout the night. This treatment entails wearing a mask over the face during sleep and is usually recommended for severe sleep apnea or if oral devices are not effective. Many patients often find the machine bulky, noisy and uncomfortable, and this may affect sleep and compliance rate.
After a sleep apnea diagnosis, you need to seek treatment immediately to prevent the risks of health complications associated with this condition. A general dentist can help you decide the most suitable treatment option so you can get a good night’s sleep. To get started, contact our dental office to book an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://drdelucia.com or call Anthony DeLucia D.D.S., P.A. at (772) 492-7045 for an appointment in our Stuart office.
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