As a result of the oral-systemic connection between your mouth and body, the alignment of your teeth, jaw relationship and airway can have an incredible impact on your overall health. In particular, patients with poor alignment of teeth, jaw, narrow palates and lack of tongue space, find themselves at a greater risk for developing sleep breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea. At Synergy Dental Group, we specialize in airway-focused dentistry and develop multi-faceted treatment plans for these breathing issues.

The Relationship between Sleep and Your Smile

There are three forms of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea, during which the brain fails to tell the body to breathe; obstructive sleep apnea, where physical obstructions such as tissues and muscles at the back of the throat block the airway; and mixed sleep apnea, which is a combination of the two other forms.

Traditionally, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP therapy) has been used to treat sleep breathing disorders. Although CPAP therapy is the gold standard for treating breathing disorders, some patients may find CPAP therapy to be uncomfortable and restrictive, causing them to abandon treatment. For these individuals, appliance therapy or combination treatment using both CPAP therapy and an oral appliance may be the best solution for achieving a good night’s rest.

Alternatives to CPAP

While central sleep apnea is a neurological response issue, the cause of obstructive sleep apnea can sometimes be traced back to an improper bite and jaw position, or narrow airway. When teeth do not fit together correctly or the patient has a narrow palate, there is not enough room in the mouth for the tongue, which falls back and obstructs the airway.

At Synergy Dental Group, we take a multi-faceted, multi-discipline approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep breathing conditions. We feel it is essential to partner with sleep physicians in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties to bridge the dental-medical team approach to whole body health. Our ultimate goal is to help make a long-term difference in our patients' quality of life

While there are risks and benefits associated with all sleep treatments, we help facilitate what is best for each individual patient. To determine the best treatment for your needs, we first recommend an overnight sleep study conducted at a sleep lab. Following the diagnosis of a sleep breathing disorder, patients may return to our Sonoma dental office for alternative care. We offer a number of alternative therapies for treating these breathing disorders, such as:

Oral Appliances

Similar to night guards, oral appliances are worn while the patient sleeps. Among the most common types of oral appliances are mandibular advancement splints, which reposition the jaw slightly forward, and tongue retaining devices, which hold the tongue forward. Oral appliances are a therapy that acts as both a holding pattern and works as long as the patient is compliant in wearing the device nightly.

At Synergy Dental Group, we only recommend FDA approved devices for patients who have been diagnosed as good candidates by their sleep physicians and who have shown responsiveness and compliance with oral appliances.   We will work with your sleep physician to have a long term plan to have whole body wellness.

At Synergy Dental Group, we only recommend FDA approved devices for patients who have been diagnosed as good candidates by their sleep physicians and who have shown responsiveness and compliance with oral appliances. We will work with your sleep physician to have a long term plan to have whole body wellness.

Myofunctional Therapy

This type of muscle therapy works to target the tongue, mouth and muscle position, essentially retraining these independent components to work harmoniously. When combined with the highly effective Buteyko Breathing Method, patients are able to overcome obstructed breathing. Myofunctional therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments.

Orthodontics

Certain cases may require orthodontic care to enlarge the oral cavity and accommodate the tongue. Addressing alignment problems early with orthodontic intervention can prevent the development of sleep breathing problems in the future. Pediatric growth guidance techniques may help in the prevention of airway issues. At Synergy Dental group we assess and treat airways, jaw relationships, and teeth misalignment as early as elementary aged children to adults. In some instances, jaw surgery may also be necessary to correct alignment issues.

Surgical Therapy

Even when combined, oral appliances and CPAP therapy may not be enough to alleviate these breathing disorders. For these patients, removing adenoids, tonsils, and redirecting the uvula or soft palate may be the most effective treatment.

Treating Sleep Breathing Disorders in Sonoma

Sleep breathing disorders are multi-faceted conditions that require unique solutions. If you are suffering from sleep apnea or a related nighttime breathing condition, contact Synergy Dental Group to schedule your consultation and discover your treatment options. Through our unique, airway-specific approach to dentistry, our Sonoma dental team is able to help patients improve their overall health and regain a good night’s rest.

To learn about prevention exercises to help with TMJ, postural Closed-Mouth and Growth Guidance Orthotropic information visit: www.gopex.org

Synergy Dental Group

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