Looking for information on sleep apnea? A general dentist can treat sleep apnea with oral appliances. These devices are typically used to treat mild to moderate cases of the condition.
Sleep apnea leads to your breathing stopping during sleep due to obstructions to your airways. Your body responds to not getting enough air by momentarily waking you up so that your breathing is restored. These interruptions can be as many as over a hundred in a single night. It is impossible to feel fully rested after having your sleep pattern disrupted that many times during sleep.
People with sleep apnea often end up developing other health issues like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes as their body and brain are weakened by not getting enough sleep.
The most common type of sleep disorder dentists deal with is obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be caused by the tongue falling into an improper position during sleep. It ends up blocking the airways, bringing breathing to a stop. OSA can also be caused by a person’s jaw moving to an improper position while they sleep, blocking their airways. It can also be caused by a variety of health issues like respiratory problems that lead to inflammation of the airways. Smoking tobacco products increases the risk of developing OSA due to the inflammation it causes. Symptoms associated with sleep apnea include:
General dentists learn how to treat conditions like OSA in dental school. Dentists often work along with sleep doctors to help chart the right treatment course for their patients. Dentists can also provide patients with customized mouth-guards that help to keep their tongue or jaw in the proper position during sleep.
The dentist makes the impression by having the patient bite down on a mold. This leaves an impression of their teeth, which is sent to a dental lab where oral appliances are made. It takes about two weeks for the finished appliance to get back to the dentist.
A mandibular advancement device is the most common type of oral appliance used to deal with sleep apnea. It positions the wearer’s jaw forward, opening up their airway. Some designs allow the patient to tinker with how far the appliance moves the patient’s lower jaw.
The other common type of oral appliance used to address OSA is called a tongue retaining device. These appliances are used to prevent the patient’s tongue from falling back into their airway. The cause of the patient’s condition often determines the approach the dentist takes.
Ready to put sleep apnea behind you? Call our San Dimas clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist. Failing to address your sleep apnea can lead to serious physical and mental issues in the future.
Request an appointment here: https://sandimassedation.com or call San Dimas Family and Sedation Dentistry at (909) 740-8294 for an appointment in our San Dimas office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Sleep Apnea in San Dimas, CA.
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