Full Answer
What is a sleep dentist?
A sleep dentist is dental professional who specializes in the treatment of sleep apnea with oral appliances and other dental devices.
What is Sleep dentistry and snoring devices?
These dental devices are made by professionals who have training in sleep dentistry. These devices resemble night guards – snoring mouthpieces or mouth guards. The sleep dentist usually takes a bite impression with a dental tray that fits in the mouth. The patient bites down into the putty which makes teeth impression.
Can dentists treat sleep apnea?
Fortunately, your dentist can help treat your sleep apnea. Dentists can practice dental sleep medicine, which focuses on the use of oral appliances to treat snoring and a type of sleep apnea known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What do you call a doctor who treats sleep apnea?
Pulmonologist. These doctors specialize in lungs. A pulmonologist can prescribe a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help you breathe at night. They can also diagnose you with any other lung conditions that could be affecting your sleep, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Can a dentist prescribe a CPAP machine?
Some dentists or doctors prescribe a CPAP machine to treat obstructive sleep apnea, which forces air through the oral and nasal passages to keep soft tissues from collapsing. CPAP machines can be noisy, bulky and uncomfortable, which can also affect your sleep.
What is the role of dentists in the management of obstructive sleep apnea?
The general dentist can play an important role in the recognition and initial diagnosis of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea is defined as the repetitive airway obstruction during sleep due to the collapse of the pharyngeal airway potentially causing cessation of breathing.
What is the newest treatment for sleep apnea?
The new treatment - known as Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy - offers the first implantable device for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The therapy works from inside the body and with the patient's natural breathing process.
Does an ENT treat sleep apnea?
ENTs can treat sleep apnea many ways Most ENTs start with restoring proper breathing during the day and night. Many times this ends the sleep apnea without the use of any special devices. The ENT will exam you and may order imaging tests to get a good look at your airways.
What is the cost of a dental appliance for sleep apnea?
Oral Appliance Costs Mouthpieces and other oral appliances can help treat mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. The average cost for a sleep apnea mouth guard ranges from $1,800 to $2,000. This includes the appliance, dental visits, and follow-ups. Many health insurance companies will cover the expense.
What is dental sleep therapy?
Dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of OAT (Oral Appliance Therapy) to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Dentists work together with sleep physicians to identify the best treatment for each patient.
Who is a sleep dentist?
A sleep dentist is a regular dentist who is an expert in the area of Dental Sleep Medicine. They that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What devices are available for sleep apnea?
There are 3 main types of devices: the nasal pillow model, the nasal mask, and the full-face mask. A CPAP uses air pressure to push your tongue forward and open your throat. This allows air to pass through your throat.
How does a mandibular advancement device work?
It works by temporarily moving the jaw and tongue forward, which reduces throat constriction and prevents sleep apnea and snoring. Moving the tongue forward increases airway space. Some MADs are custom or semi-custom and fit a specific person's mouth.
What's the meaning of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. The main types of sleep apnea are: Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax.
Sleep Disordered Breathing is an ongoing condition that disrupts sleep
When breathing is paused or becomes shallow, one will often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep, making the quality of sleep poor. Sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, breathing devices, and/or surgery.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is often an effective alternative to CPAP for patients suffering from sleep disordered breathing
Many patients suffering from sleep disordered breathing can find relief using a custom removable Oral Appliance Therapy appliance, which adjusts the position of the lower jaw and tongue to minimize airway obstruction.
Context
Sleep-related Breathing Disorders (SRBD) affect millions of people of all ages worldwide. They can be the cause of a wide range of physical, dental and mental health problems, ranging from simple day-time sleepiness to life-threatening cardiovascular complications.
Scope
This Policy Statement aims to highlight the important role of dentists in prevention, early screening and treatment of young or adult patients with SRBDs by establishing effective inter-professional collaboration with medical sleep doctors.
Definitions
Sleep-related Breathing Disorders (SRBD): disturbance of the normal breathing pattern during sleep.
Principles
After a careful screening has been performed by either or both a medical sleep doctor and a dentist (consistent with local licensure requirements), a treatment plan can be established and the appropriate appliance is decided accordingly.
Policy
universities and national dental associations to provide students and dentists with basic knowledge regarding the important role of dentistry in preventing and treating SRBD, in particular early detection in children and prevention of late onset forms. This can include immediate management as well;
Disclaimer
The information in this policy statement was based on the best scientific evidence available at the time. It may be interpreted to reflect prevailing cultural sensitivities and socio-economic constraints.
What is the best treatment for snoring and teeth grinding?
Dental appliances used in treating snoring or teeth grinding include mouth guards. For sleep apnea, you may need a continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP) machine. Insurance often covers the cost of the treatment because such disorders can lead to other lasting health problems.
Why do dentists use oral appliances?
It’s important to find a dentist who understands the use of oral appliance therapy because the key to their effectiveness is how they are used.
What is the ADA dental association?
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) each provide a list of local and state dental societies on their web sites. Your local and state dental societies also may be listed in the telephone directory under "dentists" or "associations.".
Can you get a prescription for a sleep device?
In most states, you must first get a diagnosis and a prescription for a sleep device from your doctor before you can be treated by a dentist for the disorder. Ask your current dentist if they make these devices or ask the physician who is diagnosis the sleep problem for recommendations. Dental appliances used in treating snoring or teeth grinding ...