Welcome To The Upstate Sleep Apnea Dentist.

The role of dentists in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea:

17 October; 13 (10): 1118. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been characterized by a high number of clinical cases in the U.S. Medical Society. This is a major health problem.1. The health effects may include the loss of life expectancy. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy (CPAP) has been deemed to be the most effective but many are unwilling to use that any longer. For some people, oral appliance therapy may provide an effective treatment choice. 3.

12 things dentists do for sleep apnea that may save your life!

Dental sleep medicine

Sleep apnea, a chronic condition characterized by disordered breathing during sleep, can affect anyone. In the USA one out of five people have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea has reached epic proportions recently. It’s usually caused by frequent episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the airway during sleep. The most common symptoms include snoring and waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, but people may also have no symptoms at all. If you’re experiencing problems sleeping because of this condition, your dentist might be able to help diagnose it and refer you to appropriate treatment resources in your area.

1, Listen to your story

The most important thing to do is to listen to your story.

During the initial visit, it’s important that the sleep apnea dentist asks about symptoms, family history, lifestyle factors, and medical history. The sleep physicians should also ask about medications taken by you or members of your household. Additionally, alcohol use and smoking habits should be discussed.

2, Ask questions to identify risk factors

When you go to Dr. Lindner, it’s important that you ask questions to identify risk factors. They can help with:

• Snoring, heavy breathing, or sleepiness

• Lifestyle habits (such as smoking, exercising or alcohol use)

• Medications that may cause sleep apnea (such as antidepressants)

• sleep-related breathing disorders

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then Dr. Lindner might suggest a sleep study. If the test shows signs of sleep apnea and/or other health issues from not getting enough quality rest at night, then Dr. Lindner may suggest an effective treatment plan for improving how well you sleep and feel during the day.

3, Look at your medical history

• Dr. Lindner will look at your medical history.

• He will ask questions about your symptoms, such as whether you’re tired during the day or have issues sleeping at night. Sleep deprivation and loss of mental acuity may be evident. Do you wake up to urinate more than once per night?

• You may be asked to do an overnight sleep study at home so that DSM of Greenville can determine whether you have sleep apnea or not.

4, Perform a clinical examination of your mouth, teeth, gums, airway, and more

Dental professionals use a clinical examination to evaluate your mouth, teeth, gums, and airway for signs of sleep apnea. They’ll look at the position of your lower jaw, the size and shape of your tongue, and how it moves during breathing. They’ll also examine the design of your upper jaw as well as the position of your tongue in relation to your teeth while you breathe.

5, Evaluate the health of your tongue

If your tongue is too big for your mouth, it can be a factor in sleep apnea. The cause of this is completely understood. When you lay down to sleep your lower jaw is relaxed and falls back from gravity. Your tongue also falls back to block your airway. Sometimes you can try tongue retaining devices but they are not comfortable to wear. Having a large tongue increases the risk of obstruction of the upper airway and snoring.

If you do have a large tongue, talk to your sleep specialist about potential treatments. One option is to have surgery to remove part of the tissue under the tongue (the sublingual fold). This procedure may make breathing easier while sleeping by improving airflow through the throat and mouth during sleep. That surgical procedure takes four visits and is very painful.

6, Assess the position of your lower jaw

• Assess the position of your lower jaw in comparison to your upper jaw.

• Check for forward movement of the lower jaw. In some people, their lower jaw moves forward due to a condition called maxillary retrognathia, which could cause problems with breathing at night time. If you have this condition, braces or surgery may be needed to correct it.

7, Assess your bite relationship (occlusion)

The bite relationship (occlusion) is the relationship between your upper and lower teeth. It is important for proper jaw joint function, and it can be altered through orthodontic procedures. Dental appliances such as lower-mandibular advancement devices(MAD) move your jaw position temporarily to help open the airway..

You must also consider a custom orthotic splint or AM Aligner made by a Dr. Lindner, which will restore the original jaw position.

8, Evaluate for TMJ issues

TMJ is a condition that affects the jaw joint and can cause pain, clicking, popping and difficulty chewing. Symptoms of TMJ are caused by grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw while you sleep. Researchers have found a connection between sleep apnea and TMJ in some patients. In other cases, bad occlusion (the way your top teeth fit against the bottom ones) may lead to TMD.

If you suspect you have either TMD or sleep apnea and want treatment for both conditions, speak with your dentist about ways to reduce grinding/clenching during sleep as well as any dental procedures needed to correct malocclusion (bad occlusion). If you’ve already been diagnosed with both conditions but haven’t had success treating them individually, consider speaking with an oral surgeon about Botox injections that could help alleviate pain associated with TMD symptoms

9, Sleep apnea in dentistry plays a key role in helping you get a good night’s sleep.

The national sleep foundation recommends you visit a qualified dentist so they can screen you for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and if they find that you have it, they can help with treatment. A Dental sleep specialist is trained to diagnose and treat adult obstructive sleep apnea and may recommend certain changes in your oral health routine to help improve your quality of sleep.

• Dr. Lindner can prescribe oral appliances for OSA (if other treatments aren’t effective).

• Dr. Lindner may refer you to a sleep medicine specialist or ENT doctor if they feel more testing is needed or alternative treatment

10, What is the newest treatment for sleep apnea? Oral appliance therapy;

• Dental sleep medicine

• Oral appliance therapy

• Sleep apnea dentist

• At-home sleep test (a sensor is placed on your finger to measure oxygen levels and a machine records your breathing)

• CPAP machine: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure—a machine that blows air into your throat to keep the airways open. The medical community prefers this as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea, but some people with severe obstructive apnea may need it. There is also bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP), auto positive airway pressure (APAP), and Inspire devices in addition to CPAP machines available. These devices vary slightly in how they work and what they cost, but all aim to treat sleep apnea using pressurized air delivered through a mask during the night.* iPhone app’s that use data from your Fitbit or Apple Watch such as Sleep Cycle or AutoSleep are popular options for monitoring your sleeping patterns without having to wear an expensive device on your finger each night.* The most recent treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea patients is oral appliance therapy aka “mouth guards” which fit snugly over teeth like athletes use when playing football or hockey games

  

11, Can dentists diagnose obstructive sleep apnea?

Yes, dentists can help recognize, dispense a sleep test for a diagnosis and treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Dentists are the first line of defense when it comes to diagnosing a patient’s breathing problems during sleep. During a routine consultation at Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville, Dr. Lindner will perform an oral assessment that can reveal any abnormalities in your airway. A patient with OSA may have an enlarged soft palate (the tissue at the back of your throat), which can cause snoring and make breathing difficult during sleep. Dentists are trained to identify these signs in all types of patients, not just those who snore or have been diagnosed with OSA before; therefore, if you or someone you know has chronic snoring issues and worries about their health at night—even though they don’t have other symptoms.
They may have medical conditions that are comorbidities with health problems such as diabetes and daytime sleepiness it might be time for a dental checkup!

The Rise of Dental Sleep Medicine, Can it save your life!

If you have sleep apnea, a dentist can help. Dentists work with sleep specialists to diagnose and treat this common sleep disorder. In fact, dentists are often the first professionals to spot signs of sleep apnea, so if you’re having trouble sleeping or feeling tired all day long without knowing why to consider getting your teeth checked!

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. This can happen as often as every few seconds, and waking up with a jolt is only one way of knowing if you have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is typically caused by something outside of your body causing a physical blockage in the airway, like enlarged tonsils or adenoids, large tonsils or adenoids (which are collections of lymphatic tissue that sit at the back of the throat), nasal congestion from allergies or sinusitis (inflammation of your nasal passages), snoring due to relaxed throat muscles pulling on the soft palate (the soft part at the back of your mouth) and uvula (a small piece hanging down in front), decreased jaw size due to tooth loss or aging—all these things can make it difficult for air to pass through smoothly into our lungs when we’re sleeping.

Oftentimes people who struggle with sleep apnea also suffer from obesity—and unfortunately, those two conditions go hand-in-hand! Being overweight has been shown to increase levels of inflammation throughout our bodies which increases risk factors for heart disease such as high cholesterol levels and hypertension (high blood pressure).

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Snoring. This can be either loud or soft, but it’s usually louder than expected from your partner’s perspective.

• Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up in the morning. If you feel like you have to swallow something or your throat is scratchy in the morning when you wake up, these are signs that your airway has been closed while sleeping and that there may be some blockage during sleep, which could mean sleep apnea an issue for you.

• Tiredness or fatigue even after a full night’s restful sleep. You should never feel tired after sleeping an adequate amount at night! If this happens often—and especially if other symptoms like snoring are present as well—it could be a sign that there’s something wrong with how well (or how poorly) your body is breathing while asleep.

How do they diagnose this problem?

• Polysomnography. This is a sleep study machine that records your breathing, heart rate, brainwaves, oxygen levels, eye movements and other vital signs during the night.

• Home sleep test. You can conduct this at home using an oral appliance (described below) or by wearing a device similar to a fitness tracker on your wrist to monitor your sleep patterns over several nights in a row.

What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is caused by a physical obstruction in the throat. The most common cause of this obstruction is when the tongue falls back and blocks the airway, but it can also happen if soft tissue in your throat collapses or if your jaw becomes too relaxed, causing your tongue to fall back. The result? You don’t get enough oxygen during sleep.

The reason that some people are more likely to have sleep apnea than others is because of how their anatomy differs from others—namely, their narrow jaws and large tongues. Because these two factors combine to create an especially narrow airway, they make it harder for you to breathe correctly while you’re sleeping.

How bad can sleep apnea be?

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can cause plenty of problems. The more severe your sleep apnea, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms:

• High blood pressure and heart disease

• Depression, mood swings, and memory loss

• Fatigue, daytime sleepiness, headaches

How do I get that at-home test you mention?

The test is called the Watchpat1 and it’s for people who want to find out if. they suffer from OSA. The test will give you important information about whether or not an oral appliance can help treat your sleep apnea symptoms. You’ll need to go see your dentist or dental hygienist first for this test; they will be able to provide instructions on how long it should take and how much it costs for your specific situation—but most likely it’ll be somewhere between $249 and up(not including any follow-up visits).

The test itself requires a minimum of four hours; all you have to do is wear the device while you sleep at night. You also have some other responsibilities, in the morning you need to upload the data thru your Iphone app .

What is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)?

Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), also known as mandibular advancement devices (MAD), is a popular treatment for sleep apnea. It’s an oral device that is worn at night to keep your airway open during sleep.

How does an oral appliance work?

The device works by moving your lower jaw forward, which opens up the back of your throat so that it’s easier to breathe. Using an oral appliance can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than you would without one. It won’t cure your sleep apnea but it can make the problem less severe so you won’t wake up feeling tired during the day or have any other health problems associated with not getting enough restful sleep at night.

An oral appliance is a plastic mouthpiece that fits over the lower teeth. When you wear it at night, it moves your jaw slightly open and forward and opens up your airway.

This treatment option can be adjusted by your dentist to fit your mouth and provide maximum comfort, so it’s not as uncomfortable as you might think!

Why should I choose an oral appliance over CPAP treatment for my sleep apnea?

CPAP machines are bulky, intrusive, claustrophobic, and uncomfortable. Not to mention that they’re not the most stylish of devices.

If you’re looking for an alternative to CPAP treatment, an oral appliance may be your best bet. Oral appliances are easy to use and require minimal maintenance and cleaning—you can wear them during sleep and take them out in the morning before leaving your home. They don’t require electricity, and also cost less than CPAPs do: according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, oral appliances cost about $3000 on average compared with $3,500 for CPAP machines.

Can a dentist prescribe a CPAP machine?

A dentist can refer you to a sleep medicine doctor who will prescribe a CPAP machine and determine whether you need one. Sleep apnea is more common than you think, so it’s worth speaking with your dentist if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

What is the cost of an oral appliance for sleep apnea?

The cost of an oral appliance for sleep apnea varies depending on the severity of your condition. If you’re considered a moderate to severe case it can cost up to $4,000 each year..

The good news is that many health insurance providers now cover oral appliances as part of their coverage plans (although every provider varies). This means that even if you don’t have medical insurance through your employer, there’s still a chance this treatment will be covered under another policy.

Oral appliances are also long-lasting and highly effective—which means they could save your life! In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation “oral appliances are 60% more likely to improve oxygen saturation than CPAP.”

What kind of doctor can diagnose sleep apnea?

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, it’s best to consult a physician. A sleep specialist is an ideal candidate for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, as they are trained in the area of sleep disorders and often specialize in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many physicians can also perform a physical examination that includes tests such as overnight polysomnography (PSG) or home oximetry. Your dentist can evaluate your airway and if it looks suspicious he can dispense an at-home sleep test.

Conclusion

If you can’t get to sleep because of your noisy, snoring partner and are tired of being tired all the time, then it is time to take action. The good news is that Dr. Lindner at Dental Sleep Medicine of Greenville has been treating sleep apnea with oral appliances for years now. The bad news? If you don’t know about an oral appliance, you may be given a CPAP instead because MDs are not licensed to make oral appliances. Contact us today for a no risk-free consultation.