Sleep Apnea Treatment
At Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness, we will begin with a comprehensive medical history, dental and TMJ exam, and a detailed review of your symptoms. If you have not had a sleep study, we will recommend one to diagnose the presence and severity of your sleep apnea accurately if we feel sleep apnea may be a concern. We work closely with sleep physicians and sleep centers throughout this process.
So how does dental fit into this equation?
Did you know that we see signs of sleep apnea by performing a detailed dental exam? During your exam, we look at your airway, your teeth, your tongue and the size of your jaw. We can also make you a custom fit dental sleep apnea appliance to treat your mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. Some of the following can contribute to sleep apnea that we see dentally:
- Large scalloped tongue
- Crowding of teeth
- Narrow palate
- Excess bone called tori
- Recession
- Gum inflammation from mouth breathing
- Signs of Bruxism (clenching and grinding of your teeth)
- Worn teeth
- Blocked airway from your tongue
Personalized Treatment Plans
Understanding that every patient is unique, we offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle. Our treatments range from lifestyle changes, sleep hygiene practices to advanced dental appliances and collaboration with sleep physicians for CPAP therapy or surgery, depending on the severity of your condition.
Oral Appliance Therapy
For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and those with severe apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP, oral appliance therapy offers an effective and comfortable alternative. A Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) is a durable medical device that you wear in your mouth to treat your sleep
apnea while you sleep. These custom-fitted devices are designed to keep the airway open during sleep by repositioning the jaw or tongue forward. We will complete a thorough examination before fabricating your appliance and to help you obtain the optimal therapeutic position. We also use High Resolution Pulse
Oximetry, which measures your heart rate and oxygen, to help calibrate your appliance. These appliances also come with a custom fit morning repositioner, which you will wear for 10-15 minutes the following morning to realign your bite.
Your device has many benefits which include treating your mild to moderate sleep apnea, eliminating snoring, protecting your teeth from bruxism & wear, easy for travel, and in some circumstances helping with pain associated with your TMJ.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy
In cases of severe sleep apnea or with severe drops in oxygen, PAP therapy may be recommended or oral appliance therapy or surgery if you are CPAP intolerant. This treatment involves wearing a mask over the nose and/or mouth while sleeping. The mask is connected to a machine that delivers continuous airflow, keeping the airway open. Most PAP machines are now auto pap, which means the pressure is automatically adjusted to your needs.
Surgical Options
Procedures such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), tonsillectomy, or nasal surgery may be considered when other ineffective treatments or anatomical issues are the primary cause of snoring. Implanting a device in your chest to stimulate movement of your tongue forward is another surgical option. Note that surgery is a last resort, typically only recommended when the snoring/sleep apnea and resulting oxygen deprivation or lifestyle endangerment is serious enough to warrant it. Other treatment options will be tried before surgery may become necessary as a last resort.
For more information about sleep apnea and sleep apnea treatment in Alabama from Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness Center, please contact us today.
