Dental Sleep Medicine

Do you or your partner have trouble sleeping? Is the snoring getting out of control? If so, dental sleep medicine may be the answer. Stop the suffering! We are trained experts with years of experience treating sleep apnea, and most of our patients are able to stop using their CPAP machine. For more information, contact us at our Gulfport location or use our online scheduling tool. 

What is dental sleep medicine?

If you wake up not fully rested, have been told you snore, or have a bed partner who says you stop breathing while sleeping, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition means your breathing pauses multiple times throughout the night. 

Dental sleep medicine treats sleep-related breathing problems with FDA cleared oral appliance therapy to promote healthy airways, aiding in safe and quality sleep.

Your provider at Remedy Clinic has the expertise to identify your risk factors for sleep disorders and provide the necessary treatment.

Why is dental sleep medicine necessary?

Unfortunately, when OSA goes untreated, you can suffer from symptoms such as:

• Morning headaches
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Difficulty with focus
• Irritability

Weight gain and high blood pressure are also linked to OSA. Long-term consequences can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cancer.

What treatments does dental sleep medicine use?

At Remedy Clinic, the team uses an FDA-cleared oral appliance called the mandibular advancement device (MAD), which is a noninvasive option to manage snoring and OSA. This mouthpiece shifts your jaw forward, expanding your airway to promote healthy airflow and easy breathing.

MADs are made of acrylic and fit your upper and lower teeth. They may have rubber bands or hinges to connect the upper and lower arch, which allows for adjustments. This treatment  provides a more comfortable option for those with OSA than CPAP therapy. It is indicated for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or for patients who are intolerant to CPAP. 

Your qualified dental sleep medicine provider takes impressions of your teeth and sends them to a lab to create your customized MAD. This ensures you receive the right fit for you.

What are the benefits of dental sleep medicine?

Dental sleep medicine is a safe, noninvasive treatment that fits into your lifestyle easily. Oral appliances are easy to wear, more comfortable than CPAP, quiet, and portable. They are also convenient for travel and simple to care for.

You can sleep on your side or back when wearing your MAD, so you don’t have to worry about restricted movement while lying in bed. Dental sleep medicine is especially convenient if you’re CPAP intolerant.

Dental sleep medicine might be right for you if you have sleep-related breathing issues. Call the friendly office staff today to set up an evaluation online.

Learn more about oral appliance therapy for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.