Who Should I See About My Sleep Apnea?

Do you wake up feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? Does your partner complain about your loud snoring or notice that you sometimes stop breathing during the night? These could be signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that repeatedly interrupts breathing during sleep. Fortunately, several healthcare professionals can help diagnose and manage this disorder, including sleep dentists who offer oral appliance therapy.

Start With a Medical Professional

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, your first step should be to consult a physician or qualified sleep medicine specialist. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

A healthcare professional can evaluate your symptoms, review your medical history, and determine whether you need a sleep study. This testing helps establish whether you have sleep apnea and how severe it is.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is important because untreated sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and other health complications. Your physician can also help coordinate care with other specialists.

How Can a Sleep Dentist Help?

A sleep dentist focuses on oral appliance therapy for certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea. These custom-made devices fit over your teeth and help reposition your lower jaw or tongue to keep your airway more open during sleep.

Oral appliance therapy may be an option for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for patients who cannot tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Some patients with more severe sleep apnea may also be candidates when CPAP isn’t suitable, under appropriate medical guidance.

A sleep dentist evaluates your oral health, jaw structure, and suitability for an appliance. If treatment is appropriate, the dentist arranges for a custom device and monitors its fit, comfort, and effects on your teeth and jaw.

Follow-up is essential. Your medical provider may recommend another sleep study to confirm that the appliance is effectively controlling your sleep apnea.

When Should You See Other Specialists?

Depending on your needs, your care team may include additional professionals. A sleep medicine physician can coordinate diagnosis and treatment, while an ear, nose, and throat specialist may evaluate anatomical issues that contribute to airway obstruction.

CPAP therapy remains a common and effective treatment, particularly for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Your healthcare team can help determine which approach, or combination of approaches, is best for you.

About the Practice

Drs. Robert and Dan Dernick specialize in sleep apnea solutions in The Woodlands. Not only do we have 3 types of oral appliances available to treat the disorder, but we also offer home sleep studies to diagnose sleep apnea from the comfort of your own bed – no overnight trips to a lab required. Contact us online for assistance or call (281) 363-2770.