Can Your Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea? Understanding Oral Appliance Therapy in Modesto

 

Sleep apnea can destroy your sleep, energy, focus, and overall health. CPAP is the gold standard treatment, although some people may qualify for an oral appliance for sleep apnea.   

A dentist who specializes in sleep medicine can analyze your mouth and determine whether an oral appliance will help keep your airway open during sleep.  We will have a closer look at it. 

Can a Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea? 

Yes. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent illness, and a dentist plays a crucial role; oral appliance therapy can be an effective therapeutic option.   

A dentist might be able to help with:   

• Assess your dental health: Your teeth, gums, jaws and bites will all play a part in determining whether an oral appliance is right for you.   
• Establishing your appliance candidacy: Dentists with specialized knowledge in sleep medicine can determine if your condition and dental health are good candidates for this type of treatment.   
• Appliance fitting: An appliance may be used to pull the lower jaw forward to maintain the airway open.   
• Follow-up visits: Your dentist will be able to examine comfort, fit, jaw health and responsiveness to therapy.   

Your dentist and your sleep physician can work together to evaluate whether this is a suitable choice for your diagnosis and treatment. 

Oral Appliance vs. CPAP 

Both can treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but they work differently. 

	Oral Appliance	CPAP
What it does	Holds the lower jaw slightly forward to help keep the airway open	Uses steady air pressure to keep the airway open
How you use it	Wear it in your mouth while you sleep	Sleep with a mask connected to the CPAP machine
How it’s fitted	A dentist makes and fits the appliance for you	A sleep care provider sets the air pressure based on your needs
Who it may suit	Often used for mild to moderate OSA and for people who have trouble using CPAP	Used for OSA, including moderate to severe cases
Follow-up	Dental visits and sleep testing when needed	Follow-up to check your usage, pressure, and progress

There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Your OSA severity, oral health, diagnosis, and comfort with each option all play a role. Your sleep physician and dentist can help you choose the right approach.  

How Do Dental Appliances Help Sleep Apnea? 

An oral appliance helps keep the airway open while you sleep. Most devices work with mandibular advancement that moves the lower jaw slightly forward and can alleviate blockage of the airway.  

A fitted appliance can also aid with snoring and disruptions in breathing. Your dentist will fit the device for comfort and the best treatment results. More sleep tests may be done to see if this helps control your sleep apnea. 

Who Can Use an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea? 

Oral appliances are primarily appropriate for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially those with mild to moderate OSA. They may also be appropriate for persons who cannot tolerate CPAP or who choose a different treatment option following discussion with their sleep physician.  

Based on your sleep apnea diagnosis, your dentist will look at your dental health, teeth, jaw structure and treatment history and make a recommendation for an appliance. 

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy Like? 

Treatment begins with a dental examination. Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, jaw and bite to see if an oral appliance is correct for you. 

If you’re a good candidate, they take dental impressions or digital scans to produce a custom-fit appliance. Follow-up appointments are used to adjust the fit and monitor your response. Your dentist may suggest repeating the sleep test to determine how effectively your appliance is controlling your sleep apnea. 

When Should You See a Sleep Apnea Dentist in Modesto? 

If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and would like to know more about an oral appliance for sleep apnea, a dentist skilled in sleep medicine can help you figure out whether this is the treatment for you.  

If you find it difficult to use your CPAP, continue to snore, or wake up with dry mouth, headaches or other indicators of disturbed sleep, you may also want to speak to a dentist. There are many possible causes for these symptoms; thus, a complete medical evaluation is still required.  

If you are in Modesto, search for a dentist professional who works with sleep physicians and has experience with oral appliance therapy. 

How Can a Dentist Help With Sleep Apnea? 

An oral appliance can provide a feasible therapy option for some people with obstructive sleep apnea. Your diagnosis can be confirmed by a sleep physician. A trained dentist can evaluate your oral health and see whether an appliance is right for you. 

If you’re in need of a sleep apnea dentist in Modesto, Paragon Dental can assess your oral health and talk about whether oral appliance therapy might be right for you. Book an appointment and discuss your alternatives with the dental professionals.