According to Dr. Buck, sleep disorders are pretty common and do not find correlation and causation within dentistry and sleep disorders. Many of the factors that lead to sleep disorders are found within the dental-facial structure.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common form of a sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, which affects over 18 million people in the United States alone. 86 percent of those 18 million don’t even know it. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a person’s airway becomes blocked during sleep. This can cause low oxygen or even a complete stop in airflow, leading the person to wake up quickly and sometimes violently gasp for air.
A team of medical professionals should adequately diagnose sleep apnea, starting with an examination by a physician who specializes in respiratory system disorders. A patient may undergo tests to determine if other health conditions could be causing their symptoms. These tests might include physical exams, reviewing medical history, imaging to identify anatomical problems with the airways, or sleep studies.
The CPAP Machine and Other Alternatives
Once a diagnosis of sleep apnea has been made, using a CPAP machine is recommended as a treatment. A method of treating sleep apnea is through the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine delivers pressurized airflow during sleep, which helps hold open an airway so obstructions can’t keep it shut. The latest studies show that patients are not always in compliance with using a CPAP machine and complain regarding the discomfort caused by a CPAP mask. Other reasons for not using a machine include an unwillingness to take the time required, dealing with its effect on intimacy, and inconvenience.
Dr. Buck’s Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics focuses on the neuromuscular approach to treating sleep apnea, uncommon in dental offices. Treatments are designed to open up the airway, narrowed by misalignment of facial bones due to epigenetics or environmental factors over time (most notably facial injuries). Digital scanning of the mouth is also encouraged, whereas imaging is one of the diagnostic methods patients do not prefer. With a camera, in 5-10 minutes timespan, patients can have an accurate model instead of the archaic stone model.
How We Can Help
Mild to moderate sleep apnea can be cured with an orthodontic plan that redevelops the jaws, opens the airway rather than treating it with CPAP, which only addresses the symptoms. In clinical experience, the results of this treatment have been highly beneficial for sleep apnea sufferers.
Call (425) 361-0715 or visit our contact page here for more information about treatment plans to reclaim your night’s sleep. Dr. Buck of Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics specializes in sleep apnea and TMJ disorder treatment making his office an excellent resource for those in need of relief.
