Dental Sleep Medicine of Vancouver
What is Dental Sleep Medicine?
Dental sleep medicine is what a dental practice does to treat sleep apnea using customized oral appliances that are worn by patients while they sleep.
How Can a Sleep Apnea Dentist Help?
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may wake up with headaches, feel sleepy during the day, or feel irritable or mentally impaired. This all affects your daily functions. While a CPAP machine can be helpful, not everyone wants to wear an uncomfortable bulky mask.
At Dental Sleep Medicine of Vancouver, we specialize in creating customized oral appliances for patients who suffer from sleep apnea. These oral appliances are worn in your mouth while you sleep, much like a night guard or retainer. They support your jaw and help open up your airway, allowing you to get a full night’s sleep.
There are more than 100 FDA approved oral appliances on the market, and they’ve been very successful in treating all severities of sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
Advancements in dental technology have allowed for the development of individualized oral appliance therapy programs for patients. These do not involve the use of a cumbersome CPAP machine. Instead, they are custom fit to provide an optimal and good night’s sleep and to naturally and comfortably keep the airway open.
The use of dental sleep medicine devices enables patients to have healthy sleep by reducing or eliminating the amount of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) episodes and/or snoring.
However, sleep studies have shown — and our patients’ personal experience proves — that sleep apnea symptoms include not just snoring but also stoppage of breath. Over time, this can lead to a host of health issues, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
Dental appliances do not require any machine connection. They do not restrict a person’s sleeping position. Plus, they are durable, easy to use, easy to clean, convenient for travel, and can be used anywhere.
Dental Sleep Apnea Clinic
Although sleep apnea is a common condition affecting millions of Americans, if left untreated, it can contribute to other more serious health issues. While most people have heard of this sleeping disorder, they are unaware of how life-threatening the ailment can be.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Insurance Costs
The majority of today’s health insurance companies pay for sleep apnea studies. This includes PPOs (preferred provider organizations), HMOs (health maintenance organizations), POS (point of service) plans, HSAs (health savings plans), HDHPs (high deductible health plans), and Medicare Part B.
That said, the amount that an insurance company will pay depends on a number of variables. It is important to discuss treatment and insurance options with both your local sleep dentistry center and insurance company before making any decisions.
Get in touch with Dental Sleep Medicine of Vancouver to get started on a customized treatment plan for your sleep apnea. We look forward to speaking with you!
