What is Dental Sleep Medicine?

Categories: Sleep apnea, Snoring

dental sleep medicine Comstock Park

What is dental sleep medicine?

It’s a relatively new branch of dentistry that treats sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing problems.

Don’t confuse dental sleep medicine with dental sedation or sleep dentistry. Dental sleep medicine treats sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a malady where you have frequent, recurring delays in breathing while sleeping. These gaps can last for up to 60 seconds. They are caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and cuts off the airway. When the brain is not getting enough oxygen it hinders important physical processes.

There are three different forms of sleep apnea. They are categorized by the cause of the cessation of breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where your throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to control your breathing. The final type is called complex sleep apnea syndrome. This serious form occurs when a patient has both of the other apnea types.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a medical doctor. If you have several of the following symptoms, we encourage you to see a doctor that specializes in sleep disorders.

  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
  • Insomnia
  • Sleep Deprivation
  • Excessive Snoring
  • Episodes of Not Breathing
  • Mouth Breathing
  • Dry Mouth/Throat
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent Headaches
  • Irritability

How does a sleep apnea dentist treat sleep apnea?

Dentists use oral appliance therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Patients wear a custom-fitted removable oral appliance at night. The appliance fits somewhat like a sports mouthguard.

How does an oral appliance work?

An oral appliance restricts your airway from collapsing. It either holds the tongue or jaw in a forward position.

Does an oral appliance work as well as a CPAP machine?

It depends on the severity of the condition and other considerations specific to the patient. Many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea benefit from OAT.

What are the advantages of OAT over CPAP?

Some people find the device more comfortable. It’s smaller and easier to clean than a CPAP system. Patients who suffer from claustrophobia often choose OAT. Patients who move around a lot when they sleep can get twisted up in the CPAP tube. And a small, portable device is easier to travel with.

If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in OAT, give us a call at the number below.

Contact Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Dental Marvels: Implants in Comstock Park

At least three million Americans have replaced a missing tooth with a dental implant and that number grows each year. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park, we are providers of these dental marvels.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jaw. An artificial tooth fits on top of the post.

One of the things that make dental implants so popular is that they blend in so easily with the patient’s remaining teeth. They look and function like natural teeth and are an excellent, long-term solution.

Another benefit of dental implants is that they prevent bone recession, which is common in people who have lost teeth. The titanium post goes where the tooth root used to be, and integrates with the bone.

For patients missing all of their teeth, implants can be used to anchor dentures or partials, providing a much firmer, more secure fit. Many patients report newfound confidence in themselves, after years of embarrassment caused by missing teeth.

Dental implants are one of the biggest advances in dentistry. To find out more, contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park. We also provide family and cosmetic dentistry, and treat conditions suchas sleep apnea.   Schedule an appointment with us today+

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321