What Is Sleep Apnea and How Is It Treated in Dentistry?

In this video, Dr. Charles Pearson explains what obstructive sleep apnea is and how certain dental appliances may help patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.

I have had some patients recently ask me, “Doctor, what is sleep apnea? Have you ever heard of it?” Sleep apnea means you stop breathing at different episodes during your sleep. You are unable to breathe, and there are two causes. One is from something in your brain called the reticular activating system, I believe, which dentistry cannot treat.

We can treat, however, something called obstructive sleep apnea. That is where your airway is obstructed, usually by an enlarged tongue, a small airway opening, or a collapse of the soft tissues around your airway.

One way to treat that is with a CPAP machine, which blows positive air past the obstruction. It is 100% effective and is the standard of care. However, not everybody can tolerate wearing the mask, and they don’t always have to.

There are other options. Dentistry has come up with a device called a mandibular advancing device. It pulls your jaw forward while you are sleeping, and as your jaw comes forward, so does your tongue, which opens that airway. I used to do a lot of that at one time. Not so much anymore, but it is available in this practice.

They come in kits of two, so you have two made for the price of one. I recommend this because these appliances get kind of grungy after a year or two, and you will want to throw them away and go to the next one. Most of the ones I did helped to some degree.

It is pretty cool stuff, but with all the other things I do, I don’t quite have the time, so I have kind of phased it out.

If you or someone you love is interested in exploring our sleep apnea treatment, contact St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI, for a free consultation to learn how our dental implant treatments can enhance your smile, improve your function, and restore your self-confidence.

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