Sleep apnea is a medical condition that affects a wide range of people at some point in their lives. The risks of sleep apnea include things as seemingly inconsequential as snoring and major health threats such as tumor growth and increased cancer rates. Many people are surprised, therefore, to learn that dentists are the professionals who usually help patients deal with this health issue. There are many good reasons, though, for dentists to treat sleep apnea rather than primary physicians or doctors of internal medicine.
Dentists and Apnea
There are many forms of treatment for this condition. A popular and less complicated procedure involves the use of an oral appliance. Patients wear them as they sleep to avoid the disturbance of their breathing rhythm. Dentists are the best candidates for fabricating and teaching their patients to apply these oral appliances for several reasons.
- The first support for dentists as leaders in this treatment is their proximity to all the required materials. As a matter of routine, these professionals keep most or all of the required materials in their offices because they have a variety of uses in dentistry. Furthermore, the techniques that they use in developing other appliances in their regular practice are similar to those needed to fabricate the oral appliance for apnea.
- Dentists also benefit from their proximity to their patients. Most people see their dentist twice a year but see their doctors less often. There are many men, for example, who will not miss dentist’s appointments but only go to doctors when they are ill.
- This gives dentists the familiarity with their patients to discuss the issues and check up on them. They can screen their patients for the problem and counsel them about solutions.
- Much of the advantage in seeing dental professionals for this treatment lies in their training. Dentists receive a lot of training about the TMJ joint in their education. Understanding this joint is critical for correct use of the appliance.
- Overall, dentists have the best training and available materials to fashion exactly what their patients need. They have access to intimate details about their patients’ jaws and throats as well. Everything about this device and the problem it treats falls under the skills and practices of dentistry.
- Furthermore, the involvement of dentists in this issue is taken for granted by the industries that manufacture the parts that make up oral appliances. They will only fill a prescription for a sleep apnea device when it is written by a dentist. Many patients do not wear their CPAP machines, but tolerate oral appliances, which is why a dentist oversees treatment.
The prominence of dentists in this regard is a given. In most states, in fact, it is a matter of law which states that only dentists will engage in these treatments. Anyone else presuming to fashion or apply these devices would be in violation of state law.
Don’t forget that Dr. Radz treats sleep apnea. The easy treatment for moderate sleep apnea can change your life. If you think you, or someone else you know has sleep apnea in Denver or Colorado – setup a consultation today.