Dental Sleep Practitioner Treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Snoring, with Oral Appliance Therapy
Healthy teeth, healthy gums and now…healthy sleep? For those who have never consulted a dentist about treatments for sleep apnea and snoring, it may be time to make an appointment. Dental sleep medicine is a growing segment of dentistry that focuses on managing snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy (OAT) – an effective alternative to the standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and mask. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), up to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients do not comply with or tolerate CPAP.
“CPAP has maximum benefit for patients only when they are willing and able to use it continuously, and unfortunately some residents are unable to do so,” said Dr Kelvin Chye, a Dental Sleep Medicine Practitioner and member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. “Dental sleep medicine focuses on managing sleep-disordered breathing like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy – a very effective treatment option.”
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) uses a mouth guard-like device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. OAT devices prevent the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position. For many, oral appliance devices are more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask. The devices are also quiet, portable and easy to care for. Research suggests that oral appliance therapy offers a higher patient compliance rate than CPAP. There are more than 80 different styles of oral appliance devices that have received FDA clearance.
“Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine work in partnership with a team of ENT Specialists /Respiratory Physicians and recommend a specific oral appliance device based on a patient’s personal needs,” said Dr. Kelvin Chye. “The important thing for patients to remember is that effective oral devices are always custom fit by a dentist and may need adjustments over time to ensure maximum effectiveness.”
AADSM recommends oral appliance therapy for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Once a patient is diagnosed with primary snoring or obstructive sleep apnea by a board-certified sleep physician, a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can provide treatment with OAT.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
If you think you have sleep apnea, you’re not alone.
One in three Singaporeans suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnoea , and one in 10 suffers from severe sleep apnea. The study, by Jurong Health Services, also showed that despite its prevalence, the condition is often under-diagnosed. Up to 90 per cent of moderate to severe sleep apnoea subjects in the study were previously undiagnosed.
Chinese and Malays were also found to have higher rates of moderate to severe OSA, with their estimated population prevalence hitting 32.1 per cent and 33.8 per cent respectively.
Reference:
Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in a multiethnic Asian population in Singapore: A community-based study.
Adeline Tan , Yan Yi Cheung , Jason Yin , Wei-Yen Lim , Linda W L Tan , Chi-Hang Lee .
Respiratology 2016 Jul;21(5):943-50
Although sleep apnea can occur at any age, the risk increases as you get older. Other factors that increase the risk of sleep apnea include having excess body weight, a narrow airway, a recessed chin or misaligned jaw.
More About OAT
Oral appliance therapy also is recommended for severe sleep apnea patients if they are unable to tolerate CPAP. The side effects of oral appliance therapy are generally minor, including excessive salivation, muscle and tooth discomfort and, occasionally, joint discomfort, and most improve within a few weeks. Major adverse effects of OAT are uncommon but can include slight tooth movement, permanent changes in a patient’s bite, ongoing muscle soreness or loosening of dental restorations.
If you think you may have sleep apnea – don’t worry – we can help. Schedule a consultation to discuss sleep apnea with Dr Kelvin Chye of Asia Pacific Dental Centre.
Asia Pacific Dental Centre (Novena)
101 Irrawaddy Road #13-04
Royal Square Medical Centre
Singapore 329565