Dentists Working with Sleep Physicians Can Treat Sleep Apnea
A misconception exists in the minds of many people who believe that the problem of sleep apnea can only be treated by a sleep physician or a cardiologist. This is because people that are suffering from sleep apnea are often victims of cardiovascular conditions and other associated problems. Unfortunately, most people do not consider the role dentists can play in treating sleep apnea. Despite the misconception which exists people must understand that quite a few dentists have received the training for treating the condition of sleep apnea. Dentists are working with sleep physicians to identify how they can provide the best treatment for sleep apnea that has the potential to cause several health issues.
The Identifiers Of Sleep Apnea
People with obstructive sleep apnea will display certain identifiers such as snoring to indicate the problem is affecting them. Before receiving any treatment people should be diagnosed by a board-certified sleep physician. They may receive a prescription for an oral appliance if they are diagnosed as just snoring but not suffering from sleep apnea. However, if it is the other way around the treating physician will discuss treatment options that are available with them.
Various methods of identifying the prevalence of sleep apnea among people are available and the physician attending to the patient may determine which method should be used. Salt Lake City also has many patients suffering from this condition that are visiting physicians for a remedy. Sleep apnea treatment in Salt Lake City is also offered by leading dentists that are qualified and have the technical skill and knowledge in dental sleep medicine. They are certified by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and work alongside sleep physicians to offer reliable treatments to their patients.
What Happens When People Are Affected By Sleep Apnea?
People affected by sleep apnea will be risking severe health problems because their quality of life would be affected. The problem with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea will disrupt their sleep and impact their health and well-being dramatically. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can provide sleep apnea treatment in Salt Lake City by providing an oral appliance that is accepted by many people because of its portability, comfort, and ease of use. This treatment is slightly different from the most common remedy available for sleep apnea in the form of continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP] therapy which requires the patient to wear a mask when sleeping. CPAP therapy despite being effective is not preferred by most people because they are unable to adhere to it. They prefer the oral appliance provided by dentists which they find is an effective remedy for treating obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adults.
The Oral Appliance Therapy Was Pioneered By Dentists
The problem of sleep apnea is affecting millions of Americans most of whom are underdiagnosed because of the misconception held that treatments for this condition are only available from sleep physicians or cardiologists. For unknown reasons people are not considering that oral appliance therapy was pioneered by dentists for treating this condition. The oral appliance can be worn in the mouth when sleeping and it fits like an orthodontic retainer. A custom-tailored oral sleep appliance is considered as an effective treatment that can prevent the airway from collapsing by offering support to the jaw in a forward position. This therapy helps to maintain an open and unobstructed airway.
Dentists that are qualified in dental sleep medicine and have also been certified by the AADSM should be considered as reliable providers of the therapy needed to overcome the problem of sleep apnea. They have often been ignored because of the problems caused by sleep apnea have received more attention than the method used for dealing with this condition. Dentists as well have not actively promoted their expertise in this subject and have perhaps concentrated on their core activities of filling and pulling teeth. Thankfully dentists in Salt Lake City are thinking differently and are offering oral appliance therapy to people as an effective remedy for sleep apnea by working with sleep physicians located in the region.
People affected by the problem of snoring are recommended to consider discussing the problem either with their physicians or even their dentists. They just need to ensure they do not opt for commonly available mouth guards but rather have a custom-tailored oral appliance from a dentist that can manage their problem better.