Wondering if a general dentist can help you live with your sleep apnea diagnosis? Many people do not realize that dentists can create oral appliances for their patients when they have been diagnosed with sleeping problems like snoring and sleep apnea. These oral appliances work by preventing the airway from being blocked.
Finding out if a general dentist has knowledge about dental sleep treatment is the first thing you need to do, as this would mean that they have undergone oral appliance therapy training. These oral appliances are specifically designed to treat breathing disorders and do so by keeping one’s airway open when sleeping at night. This dental practice area focuses on treating patients who have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder that prevents them from getting the sleep they need for good overall health.
Yes. This means that some dentists have chosen to help manage and treat any of their patients who have been diagnosed with a sleeping disorder, like sleep apnea. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Oral appliance therapy requires sleep apnea patients to wear a special device in their mouth while sleeping. It is similar to a mouth guard that is worn to protect the teeth when playing sports or an orthodontic retainer. A general dentist can make a custom oral appliance for a patient, as a custom fit is important when it comes to expecting successful results. Oral appliances help keep the jaw and/or tongue in a forward position, which in turn helps keep the airway more open, allowing for easier breathing.
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure and is a machine that is an alternative treatment option for those who suffer from sleep apnea breathing problems. The machine works by forcing air through a tube that is connected to the mouth and thus helps keep the airway open when sleeping at night. This means those who need this type of sleep apnea treatment will need to wear a mask over their face while sleeping, which can take some time to getting used to wearing.
Would you like to make a general dentist appointment today? When you do, you will be thoroughly evaluated so you can understand what your treatment options are going to be. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then you know that it can interfere with the overall quality of your life. This means you need to find a treatment option that will work for you, so you can start getting a good night’s sleep and feel better when performing your everyday activities.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drericjohnson.com or call Dr. Eric Johnson at (949) 205-1139 for an appointment in our San Clemente office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A dental implant is a dependable way to replace a missing tooth. While some implants may loosen or fail under certain conditions, most implants work well for many years when the gums and bone remain healthy. The key is to recognize the warning signs of trouble early and to support this smile restoration with excellent…
Many patients wonder whether a cosmetic dentist can provide orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles without having to see a separate specialist. If you want to straighten your smile, it is important to know which type of provider is right for you. Your choice will depend on your specific goals for your smile and your…
Monitoring dental fillings remains vital to maintaining a healthy smile, as these repairs eventually wear down over the years of daily chewing. While a filling protects the tooth for a long time, it is not a permanent fix and often needs to be replaced to prevent further decay. Spotting the early warning signs of a…
An Invisalign® dentist helps straighten teeth with clear aligners, but the best results depend on a solid understanding of candidacy, planning, and consistent daily habits for every patient. Many people assume aligners work the same for every smile, yet moving teeth effectively requires a personalized approach to reach the desired goal. The points below help…
A dental implant can support a stable tooth replacement when properly cared for.
A cosmetic dentist focuses on the visual characteristics of a smile. This work includes the…
Monitoring dental fillings remains vital to maintaining a healthy smile, as these repairs eventually wear…
A reliable plan from an Invisalign dentist includes clear guidance on retention to ensure the…
If you are missing a tooth, a dental bridge offers a way to restore bite…
The application of sedation dentistry depends mainly on the nature of the dental anxiety.