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).
Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine use oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Learn how a qualified dentist can help treat your OSA.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Your sleep has a direct impact on your health, well-being, and overall quality of life. When the quality of your sleep is poor because of things like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, you can become irritable, and distracted, and face an increased risk of severe health problems.
You might be wondering - why is a dentist interested in my quality of sleep?
Well, dentists screen for a variety of health problems during bi-annual appointments, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be one of them. Since your dentist sees you twice a year, they may be the first to notice one of the many warning signs of OSA.
The Dentist's Role in Treating OSA
More and more dentists are incorporating OSA and snoring treatment into their practices. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) provides support and education for dentists interested in treating OSA. Dentists trained to treat OSA with oral appliance therapy are your best option. They will work with you and your doctor to identify the best treatment for you.
If you have trouble tolerating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or prefer an alternative treatment for sleep apnea, talk to an AADSM dentist today! A qualified dentist can make a customized appliance for you that will help reduce your snoring and improve your sleep without a loud or bulky machine. This is called oral appliance therapy (OAT), and it can help improve your health and quality of life.