Sleep Apnea
We’re concerned about the overall health of our patients, including their sleep health. Many people suffer needlessly from dangerous sleep disruptive disorders that keep them from getting enough oxygen at night. The risk of a heart attack is 23 times more likely than average with a sleep disorder, and 92% of stroke victims live unknowingly with this condition before an attack. Our training allows us to offer you education and treatment surrounding sleep health in the simplest and most cost-effective way possible.
Estimates suggest that more than twelve million Americans compromise their health due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Most cases remain undiagnosed, contributing to diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and traffic accidents related to drowsy driving. Dentistry serves a vital role in treating this silent epidemic. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliances as a primary therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for patients with severe sleep apnea who can’t tolerate CPAP treatment.
What is OSA?
OSA is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep due to a blockage in the airway. Obstructions occur when throat muscles, tongue, tonsils, or the soft palate falls back into the throat. The obstruction results in a severe drop in blood oxygen levels throughout the night.
How is OSA diagnosed?
We can diagnose many OSA symptoms in our practice using a Pharyngometer. This specially designed tool uses soundwaves to map airway sizes. This provides a quick indicator for how at risk you are for OSA. In a lot of cases a polysomnogram or a home sleep study is necessary to complete diagnosis of OSA though.
During a polysomnogram, a sleep physician monitors brain activity and body system functioning while a patient rests overnight at a sleep lab. The specialist evaluates the study data collected to diagnose sleep disorders and recommend treatments.
In some cases, a home sleep study may also be possible instead of reporting to a sleep lab. We use the Itamar watchPAT™ to complete our take home sleep studies. This simple device is worn like a watch overnight and collects valuable information such as your heart rate, oxygen saturation, body position and snoring intensity. When you bring the device back into our office we can generate a sleep report immediately. This allows you and Dr. Jones to have a clear and concise conversation about your results.
If OSA is indicated by a sleep doctor or by a home sleep test, Dr. Jones may suggest oral appliance therapy.
Eccovision™ Pharyngometer
Itamar WatchPAT™ on patient
How Is OSA Treated?
Treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may involve surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances provide the least invasive option and often a good choice for treatment of mild to moderate OSA. A carefully calibrated appliance can comfortably help hold the jaw in a precise position throughout the night, allowing critical oxygen flow.
Treatment recommendations should be made in consultation with Dr. Jones and your sleep physician if they are involved. Once a treatment path that you can use consistently is chosen, we may be able to provide critical support for your efforts. If appliance therapy is selected, it’s essential the right method and positioning are designed to precisely maintain your airway.
Oral Appliance example:
Somnodent Air™ Oral Appliance
