Dental sleep medicine is a specialty area within dentistry that treats sleep-related breathing disorders, like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Snoring and OSA are the two most prevalent dental sleep medicine issues, but there are other disorders that can also be treated through this specialized field of dentistry.

Lavigne et al first coined the term “dental sleep medicine” back in 1997, when they reported its potential benefits for treating various disorders. In their definition, the authors note several other disorders that impact dentistry: snoring and OSA, orofacial pain related to sleep issues, xerostomia/hypersalivation, gastroesophageal reflux disease and bruxism.

These sleep disorders can have a significant impact on the lives of patients and their family members, and if left untreated, can have severe repercussions. For instance, untreated snoring may result in high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke.

Dentists are trained to treat these conditions using oral appliance therapy (OAT), which may be more comfortable than continuous positive airway pressure treatment, or CPAP treatment, or surgery options.

OAT involves the fabrication and fitting of an oral device, which is a small form-fitted mouthpiece tailored to each patient’s airway. These devices can effectively treat snoring, OSA, upper airway resistance, and CPAP non-compliance by keeping tongue, jaw, and palate from collapsing during inhalation while sleeping.

Snoring and sleep apnea can disrupt your partner’s nightly rest, which could lead to marital issues and depression. Furthermore, these disorders have serious medical repercussions such as stroke or heart failure; so it’s essential that you seek immediate assistance from a dentist if you are having difficulty sleeping.

Are you looking to improve your sleep and reduce the health risks associated with snoring or sleep apnea? Come by The Air Station for a sleep apnea treatment consultation. Together with your doctor, we’ll create an individualized treatment plan tailored for you. Whether you live in Singapore or Malaysia, The Air Station highly experienced staff has years of experience and training that can help achieve excellent results. With us as your go-to experts for sleep disorders, wake up feeling rested and refreshed each morning!