We’ve talked about this before, but I think it is time we revisit what dental sleep medicine is and how dentists can take advantage of this unique opportunity. So, what is dental sleep medicine (DSM) exactly?
DSM is an area of dentistry focusing on the use of oral appliance therapy to manage sleep-disordered breathing. And that includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When providing dental sleep medicine services, dentists will work together with sleep specialists to help identify the best treatment option for each patient.
What is the dentist’s role?
Dentists pioneered the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of OSA and snoring–cool, right? The use of an oral appliance allows for a more comfortable treatment option for many patients that might be CPAP inept. It is similar to a mouth guard for sports or an orthodontic retainer, which makes for an easier solution to a condition. A custom-fit oral sleep appliance is an effective treatment for preventing the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position–an easy solution for a complicated condition.
Dental sleep medicine specialists work with sleep physicians to gain a diagnosis after they might have noticed symptoms or signs of sleep disordered breathing or a patient’s responses to a questionnaire showed a possibility of this condition. From a diagnosis through a sleep physician, dentists can plan for proper treatment with oral appliance therapy.
Have you ever thought about providing your patients with dental sleep medicine services? Now is the time to get out there and gain a better understanding of this unique area of dentistry to help your patients live happy, healthy, well-rested lives.
