Talking to Your Dentist About Sleep Medicine Options for Sleep Apnea
Want to learn more about dental sleep medicine options now available to treat your sleep apnea problem? Oral appliance therapy tends to be the recommended treatment option for sleep apnea patients, which involves designing and having the oral appliance of your choice fitted to your mouth. These oral appliance therapies are to be worn during that night, as they work to maintain an open and unobstructed airway while sleeping.
Dentists and sleep apnea
Learning more about sleep medicine options from a dentist is your first step when your primary care physician has diagnosed you with sleep apnea. If you have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea yet, then talking with a dentist about your breathing problems is important, as they can recommend a sleep study. Once a dentist receives the results, they can then recommend which sleep medicine option is right for you. According to WebMD, a dentist is often the earliest diagnostician of sleep disorders.
Talking to a dentist about sleep medicine options for sleep apnea
The following is a list of questions to ask a dentist about sleep apnea, as this allows sufferers to learn more about the sleep medicine options available to them.
What is the most common treatment for sleep apnea?
The most common treatment option for dental patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure therapy, a.k.a. a CPAP machine. This treatment option requires sleep apnea patients to wear a mask when sleeping, as this is how the machine is able to keep the airway open, allowing for easier breathing. Benefits that come with this choice include less fatigue, better focus and a decreased chance of being diagnosed with medical conditions.
What types of oral appliances are available?
There are a number of dental oral appliance therapy options available nowadays, which will fall into one of two different categories. The first category is mandibular repositioning devices, which means that these devices work by repositioning the lower jaw in a way that allows the airway to be more open when sleeping. The second category is tongue-retaining devices, which works by holding the tongue in a certain way that does not block the airway.
What happens once a choice is made?
Once someone makes a decision about which sleep medicine option they want to use to address their sleep apnea problem, it is necessary for them to undergo a complete evaluation. This includes fully examining the mouth and possibly having X-rays taken. For those who choose oral appliance therapy, their chosen appliance will be custom made for them. For those who choose a CPAP machine, they will need to get a prescription in order to acquire this sleep medicine option for treating sleep apnea.
Ready to talk with a dentist for more detailed information?
Are you ready to learn more about your sleep medicine options directly from a dentist? All you need to do is contact us right now so we can get you scheduled in for your first appointment. During this appointment, you will understand all the oral appliance therapy options available, as this will help you make a choice that is right for you. This is also a great time to ask any questions you have!
Are you considering your sleep medicine options in the Round Rock area? Get more information at https://adcroundrock.com.
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