Dental sleep medicine is the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with the use of oral appliances. OSA is a condition that affects millions of people, many are not aware that they have the problem. OSA can only be diagnosed with a sleep study that monitors the number of times a patient stops breathing through the night.
SYMPTOMS
Patients may experience some or all of these symptoms:
- Snoring usually loud and frequent
- Non-refreshing sleep
- Morning headaches
- Reflux
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Mental "fog" or confusion
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Sexual dysfunction
Risk Factors STOP 
You may be at risk if you have 3 or more of the following:
S: Do you snore loudly and often?
T: Do you feel tired or sleepy during the daytime?
O: Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
P: Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?
B: Is your body mass (BMI) greater than 28?
A: Are you 50 years fo age or older?
N: Are you a male with a neck size >17" or female> 16"
G: Gender - are you male?
Oral appliances consist of an upper and lower component with an adjustment mechanism that holds the lower jaw in a forward position. When the appliance is in place, it opens the airway by holding the lower jaw and tongue forward, thus opening the airway.
The Amercian Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine is an organization of specially trained dentist for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Click here to learn more.