Treatment Basics -

The treatment of Sleep Apnea in dentistry is just beginning to be recognized as an alternative protocol to traditional medical methods of treatment and as in any endeavor we start with the basics. Sleep Apnea can be broken down into two main components: Central and Obstructive. Central Sleep apnea refers to central nervous system problems and as such cannot be treated in the dental field. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is related to physical obstructions of the airway. Examples of Obstructive Apnea causes are listed below:

• Deviated Septum (The nasal bone set off to one side causing blockage of the air flow in the nose)
• Polyps in the nose or in the airway (tissue growth blocking the airway passage)
• Tumors blocking the airway (cancerous and benign)
• Enlarged turbinate in the nose
• Enlarged tonsils
• Collapsing Esophageal Airway
• Enlarged Soft tissue Uvula
• Enlarged tongue
• Allergies (swelling of tissues in the airway in response to allergens)
• Narrow Maxilla (associated floor of the nasal passage impeded)
• Excessive Mandibular retrusion with impingement on the Esophageal airway

Traditional medical treatments have usually fallen into the following categories:

• C-Pap (controlled positive air pressure - Air is applied in a cyclic method thru a face mask)
• Uvula surgery (laser and traditional)
• Dietary consoling for weight loss
• Surgery or medication for the other conditions above

Warning: The use of dental sleep devices has been reported to cause  undesirable forward movement of the lower jaw and/or intruded back teeth  on some individuals.