Solutions From Your Sleep Dentist

By law, dentists cannot diagnose sleep apnea. When a preliminary screening (including a sleepiness test, intra-oral anatomical exam, and other systemic health factors) suggests a patient has sleep apnea, we refer that patient to a certified ENT or Pulminologist who specializes in sleep disorders. A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of the condition. The most important step is a sleep study known as a polysomnogram (PSG) at a sleep disorder center. For patients who are reluctant to spend the night in a strange setting, at-home machines are gaining acceptance in the sleep medicine community, but must still be interpreted by a qualified MD to render a qualified diagnosis.

Once a definitive diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is mde, the first line of defense physicians will prescribe is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).

This device is cumbersome and difficult, and in some cases impossible for many people to use. In fact, of the population for whom a CPAP is prescribed, 30-40% cannot tolerate the machine for many reasons:

• Claustrophobia
• Disruption from the noise of the machine
• Sinus infections

Oral Appliance Therapy

Dr. Caughey has received specialized training in dental sleep medicine, and can produce, deliver and adjust an oral appliance that can open the airway in patients with mild to moderate OSA. Dr. Caughey is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), and is pursuing board certification in this discipline. Oral appliance therapy is gaining increased recognition for treating sleep disordered breathing and OSA.

165 different oral appliances have patents pending with the US Patent Office, and approximately 30 devices already have FDA approval. Most perform the same function–to move the mandible (lower jaw) forward, so that the muscles and tissues of the oral cavity do not collapse and block the airway during sleep. In some cases, an oral appliance can be prescribed in combination with a CPAP.