A general dentist has the skills and experience to treat mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea. To treat this condition, the dentist may recommend custom-made oral appliances. It is crucial to learn about the condition in order to fully grasp how a general dentist treats sleep apnea. This article addresses this and the treatment option available to patients.
If someone has sleep apnea, they will stop breathing for a few seconds while sleeping. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea, a breath stoppage occurs when the air passages get blocked due to the excess tissues and relaxation of the throat muscles. When breathing stops, the brain will send signals to wake the person so breathing can resume. This event may occur several times during sleep, causing the patient to wake up the following day feeling tired.
Sleep apnea reduces the quality and quantity of oxygen delivered to the brain and may contribute to health conditions such as cardiovascular issues and depression. Sleep apnea symptoms include snoring, daytime drowsiness, headaches, and gasping for air during the night. Patients experiencing these symptoms must visit the general dentist for diagnosis and treatment.
General dentists have the training and expertise to treat the origin of obstructive sleep apnea. They can perform necessary evaluations to determine the appropriate treatment for the patient. Oral appliances are effective for keeping the airway open during the night for patients who cannot or do not wish to get a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
The oral device can help patients sleep better at night and reduce the risks of health problems. The device looks similar to a regular mouthguard. For effectiveness, the dentist will take impressions of the patient’s mouth to make a custom-fitted device.
The most popular type of oral appliance used for treating sleep apnea is the mandibular advancement device (MAD). It works by shifting the lower jaw forward, preventing it from falling back into the air passages and blocking airflow. It snaps over the lower and upper parts of the jaw and is connected with metal hinges. Certain forms of these devices enable the wearer to adjust how far the lower jaw moves.
Another type of appliance is the tongue-retaining device. It functions by holding the tongue in a forward position during the night. This is a practical option for patients whose tongues tend to collapse to the back of the mouth while they are sleeping.
Oral appliances can help limit the occurrence of snoring in patients. With consistent usage, oral appliances can effectively stop sleep apnea.
The following are frequently asked questions about sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when muscles relax at night and the soft tissues of the throat collapse and restrict the airway. As a result, the patient may have brief awakenings throughout the night, with some individuals fearing that they are choking. Being obese, drinking alcohol just before bed, having a deviated septum, or having allergies can all contribute to airway obstruction, as can enlarged tonsils and glands.
Snoring and daytime fatigue are not the only consequences of sleep apnea. Untreated, it may lead to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, diabetes, and even death. In many cases, the patient’s sleeping partner notices the condition first.
The dentist’s approach to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea is mild and non-invasive. The first step in diagnosing the problem is to do a pharyngometer test at the office, which provides an accurate map of the size and collapsibility of the airways. The average time to finish this exam is between two and five minutes.
Take-home sleep studies, which record the body's biological conditions while the patient sleeps, are the next step if the test indicates that they may have obstructive sleep apnea. If the testing shows that they have obstructive sleep apnea, the dentist will review the findings and work with the patient to create a custom oral appliance.
Sleep apnea is a serious health issue that can predispose you to the risks of other health issues. It is vital to undergo treatment for this condition so you can sleep better at night, rest well, and improve your overall health. The general dentist can help you get the best treatment for your condition. To get started, contact the dental office to schedule a consultation appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.sterlingvadentist.com or call Brighter Smile Family Dentistry & Orthodontics at (703) 994-4044 for an appointment in our Sterling office.
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