Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Appliances 

Sleep apnea is a severe sleep-related condition that causes people to stop and start breathing continuously throughout the night. You may suffer from it if you loudly snore  or wake up feeling exhausted even though you slept throughout the night.

What is sleep apnea?

The definition of apnea is ‘without breath.’ Obstructive sleep apnea, therefore, defines the stoppage of breath during regular sleep patterns because of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway, which can occur anywhere between the nasal cavity to the vocal cords. The most frequently diagnosed condition involves the oropharynx which is located in the middle part of the throat where the tongue base and tonsils lay. Because of the potential to stop breathing, it's considered a severe medical condition. Based on research, 30 million Americans suffer from this sleep-related condition. There are three main types:  

• Central Sleep Apnea

    Central sleep apnea is not naturally obstructive. This condition occurs when the brain unsuccessfully sends a signal to the muscles that control your breathing pattern.    

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea

    This form takes place when a person’s throat muscles involuntarily relax. With an obstruction, a person typically experiences a blockage that causes excessive snoring. Swollen tonsils can affect this type of condition, so it is a prime example of how a dental exam can detect sleep apnea.    

• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

    A person who experiences a partial or complete stoppage of airflow while sleeping often receives a diagnosis referred to as Obstructive (OSA). The determination includes symptoms of both central and obstructive symptoms.   While a diagnosis must come from a medical provider, dentists become a primary source for detection and treatment by providing patients with Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).  

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

There are several similarities between central, obstructive, and complex apnea which make it more difficult to diagnosis specifically. Typical results of both central and obstructive sleep apnea include:  

• Excessively loud snoring (more dominant in obstruction)
• Interruption of sleep patterns
• Shortness of breath after abrupt awakening
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Exhaustion
• Irritability
• Difficulty with your attention span
• Hypersomnia
• A sore throat
• A dry mouth

What is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)

OAT is now an alternative to traditional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment for patients who experience sensitivity to a Continuous Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. For our dental professionals, the ability to recognize symptoms, screen patients, and provide treatment enhances the quality and level of care we provide.

What should I do when I receive a prescription for a device?

Once your regular medical doctor consults with you and decides you will benefit from oral appliance therapy, you will receive a prescription for a customized device. Do not worry as your medical insurance plan will cover oral appliance therapy. Currently, the FDA has approved more than one hundred oral appliances. A dental exam will identify the oral appliance device that is best suited for your condition, but, typically, a mouth guard worn while sleeping helps to keep the airway open so that you get a good night’s rest.