How a Sleep Dentist Can Help Treat Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can affect your dental and general health. This sleep disorder can deprive you of good quality sleep, which is supposed to help your body regenerate. Getting the right treatment for this sleep issue can help you regain control over your health. Here are the details about how a sleep dentist can help with your sleep apnea treatment.
A sleep dentist’s help counts
The dentist will suggest a sleep study if the patient has symptoms of sleep apnea. This will help diagnose the patient. There will be an appointment that will help the patient know about the different treatment options. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for treatment. If the patient cannot tolerate this machine, the dentist may suggest oral appliances.
Mandibular advancement devices are also called dental sleep devices. These dental appliances force the lower jaw to move forward. Wearing them is easy because each one is like a mouthguard. Sleep devices tighten the muscles that collapse during sleep apnea. The longer these appliances stay in the patient’s mouth, the stronger the airway becomes. This can reduce or even stop sleep apnea.
The dentist will perform a complete mouth checkup. This will include the inspection of the temporomandibular joints and teeth. The oral exam will see if the patient is a good candidate for a dental sleep device. Creating a model of the patient’s teeth will follow. The dentist will make sure that the appliance fits well. Doing so will prevent jaw damage.
Another device is the tongue-tightening appliance. Research says that this one can fit many types of mouths. It can hold the tongue forward and keep the airway open. Working with the dentist is necessary to keep these oral devices working. The dentist will keep an eye on the appliances. This will ensure that they are functioning well.
Combining sleep apnea treatment with dental devices
The sleep study can happen at home under the supervision of the sleep doctor. The patient can also have it at a licensed clinic. CPAP treatment is the first treatment for every patient. This involves delivering a non-stop flow of pressurized air all night. It is often for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea.
People with mild sleep apnea can wear oral appliances. The sleep doctor may suggest wearing the oral device while using the CPAP machine. The dentist will provide these custom devices. The sleep doctor can then change the treatment if necessary. Over-the-counter sleep apnea appliances do not work as well as custom-fit ones. They often focus on the symptoms of sleep apnea and do not stop sleep apnea while the patient sleeps.
Why sleep dentists are important in sleep apnea treatments
Clinical data show that sleep dentists are important in identifying sleep apnea patients. These healthcare professionals can perform oral exams and spot sleep apnea risk factors, such as upper airway anomalies. Dentists can also identify sleep apnea patients by asking screening questionnaires. They also check the patient’s suitability for wearing oral appliances for sleep apnea. If the patient is a good candidate, the dentist will be responsible for choosing the appliance and examining the patient for side effects.
A sleep dentist can help improve your sleep and your general health
If you want to receive proper treatment for sleep apnea, you will need an assessment from your sleep dentist first. This evaluation will give your sleep doctor proper information about your condition. You can get the right treatments, including a custom-fit oral sleep device. Stopping your sleep apnea can lead to better sleep and better health.
Are you considering getting sleep apnea treatment in the Red Bluff area? Get more information at https://www.dentalsleepsolutionsgroup.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Do I Have Sleep Apnea in Red Bluff, CA.
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