Overcome Sleep-Related Disorders with Dental Sleep Medicine
Dental sleep medicine at Olmos Park Dental uses oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) problems like sleep apnea, snoring, and TMJ pain. Don’t confuse dental sleep medicine with sleep or sedation dentistry. Dental sleep medicine treats airway-related conditions.
Dr. Brandi Lindsey is an experienced professional in dental sleep medicine in San Antonio, Texas, and nearby areas. If you are struggling with sleep apnea or related conditions, schedule an appointment today for relief.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which breathing starts and stops while sleeping. There are different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles of the nasopharynx and oropharynx relax, blocking the upper airway partially or completely. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Although rare, patients can have complex sleep apnea, a combination of OSA and CSA.
OSA is the most common sleep apnea type and can occur in children and adults. During apneic episodes, the body doesn’t receive enough oxygen. When the brain senses this oxygen deprivation, it awakens the body—often so briefly that you may not remember it—just before reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep. This cycle can happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night, significantly disrupting your sleep.
How is sleep apnea treated?
Before beginning treatment, it’s vital to diagnose you to determine the severity of your sleep apnea. This is often done with a sleep test, which can happen at home or a sleep study center. Dr. Lindsey works closely with other healthcare professionals to optimize your diagnosis and treatment. We have a flowchart of how to start and progress with the patient to achieve maximum outcomes.
A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is the gold standard for OSA treatment. This machine maintains an open airway by providing constant airflow through a mask worn over the nose or mouth. CPAPs are effective for treating mild to moderate OSA. However, some patients struggle to tolerate the irritation, noise, and other discomforts of using CPAP machines.
Dr. Lindsey uses oral appliance therapy (OAT) as a comfortable and effective treatment for OSA. Your treatment can include a mandibular repositioning device (MRD), which repositions the lower jaw to create more space in the airway. This device also works well to treat sleep bruxism, sometimes related to SDBs like sleep apnea.
How is sleep apnea treated in children?
OSA can affect children, and the leading cause is dental developmental issues. An underdeveloped jaw can limit the space available for the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat. This can cause these tissues to collapse and block the airway when the muscles relax during sleep. Sometimes, underdeveloped jaws result in a misaligned bite or a “retrognathic” jaw, where the lower jaw is set too far back, narrowing the airway.
Orthopedics, including oral splints and orthodontics, can expand the palatal space and realign the jaw, creating more space in the upper airway. Myofunctional therapy retrains muscles to support the optimal development of the oral-facial structures. These holistic approaches address the root cause of your sleep-related conditions for a lasting solution.
Ready for a healthier, happier you?
Improve your quality of life with dental sleep medicine in San Antonio, Texas. Call (210) 767-3525 to schedule an appointment with Olmos Park Dental.
