Dental Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment is aimed at bringing the tongue forward by pulling the lower jaw forward. The tongue is attached to the front of the lower jaw. A dental appliance can achieve this by holding the lower jaw forward. This approach is noninvasive and reversible, unlike surgical intervention. This is a good reason to be certain that the dental approach is not effective before having surgery. A patient with obstructive sleep apnea wears the dental appliance while sleeping. When the jaw muscles relax, the patient's jaw does not fall backwards because the dental appliance holds the jaw forward while the patient sleeps.
Unfortunately, many physicians are not familiar with dental sleep apnea treatment and they often refer their sleep apnea patients to fellow physicians who are not trained to offer dental approach. The dental appliance must be comfortable to wear and allow the patient's jaw some freedom to move. The jaw does not hold still naturally so that appliances which totally immobilize the jaw are usually uncomfortable. The therapy chosen must be appropriate for the type of sleep apnea which the patient has. Dental methods are not effective in treating central sleep apnea since central sleep apnea is due to a malfunctioning of the brain and nervous system and not due to the tongue falling back into the throat.
A patient wearing a dental apnea appliance should wake up refreshed and comfortable, otherwise it may not have been appropriate for the patient. All sleep apnea treatment methods are aimed at helping the patient with sleep apnea breath. If the dental appliance fails, another more aggressive treatment must be considered. It is relatively inexpensive compared to most surgical approaches.
The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Dr. Padolsky, the sleep apnea doctor in our group, treats this disorder and would be happy to help you. If you suffer with this problem and would like to consult with our sleep apnea dentist about your dental sleep apnea treatment options, please call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.