Sleep Disorder Dentistry

For those with some of the more common sleeping issues, such as excessive snoring or sleep apnea, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that treatments for these conditions can be found at your dentist’s office. In fact, there is an entire field—sleep disorder dentistry—dedicated to these problems. So, before you give up all hope of ever getting a full night’s sleep again, why not contact David M. Skopp, DDS and see what we can do for you.

What is sleep disorder dentistry?

Sleep disorder dentistry is an emerging field of dental medicine that is focused on correcting sleeping disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and excessive snoring. In the past, most patients with sleep apnea were forced to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device, which basically forces air into their lungs to keep the person breathing and sleeping properly throughout the night.

This is done because sleep apnea is caused by the tongue and soft tissue collapsing back into the throat during sleep, causing the person to stop breathing for a period until they briefly wake up and start breathing on their own. While CPAP is definitely effective for treating these problems, it requires sleeping with a mask on, connected to a large, sometimes noisy machine that helps the person breathe. The problem with this is that these masks can be incredibly uncomfortable and many people have troubles falling asleep while using it.

However, for those people who find CPAP unbearable, Dr. Skopp has another solution for you in the form of oral appliances.

Treating Sleeping Disorders Through Dentistry

Sleep disorder dentists like Dr. Skopp can provide relief to sleep apnea sufferers without the need for CPAP through the use of a variety of oral appliances. These appliances are small devices that resemble a retainer or mouth guard, fitting tightly in the patient’s mouth to prevent the tongue and soft palate from collapsing into the throat while the person sleeps. This works to keep the airway open during sleep, providing the person with adequate airflow and ensuring their sleep isn’t interrupted by problems breathing.

As a leading specialist in oral appliance therapy and sleep disorder dentistry, Dr. Skopp and his team at Chase Dental SleepCare in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida can diagnose your sleeping problems and work with you to determine the right oral appliance for your needs.

During your initial consultation, we will examine your medical history and then take x-rays, detailed measurements and impressions of your teeth and mouth to determine what solution is best for you.

Types of Oral Appliances and How They Work

Oral appliances help correct breathing problems by repositioning and stabilizing the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula, preventing them from collapsing into the throat during sleep. In general, there are two main types of these devices.

• Mandibular Advancement Devices pull the lower jaw and tongue down and forward, making the mouth more rigid.

• Tongue Retaining Devices are made of softer material that forms around the tongue, keeping it in place throughout the night.

Although these are the two basic types of devices, each oral appliance is custom-made based on the patients needs and the shape of their mouth. Each case is unique, so Dr. Skopp and his team will sit down and work with you to determine the best course of treatment for you. So stop suffering from poor sleep night after night, and instead give us a call to see how our sleep disorder dentistry services can benefit you.