How to Find the Best Sleep Apnea Dentist Near Me
Often times people think that snoring is just something they have no choice but to live with, either with themselves or their partner, but sleep apnea (the likely cause of snoring) is actually considered a serious medical condition that can cause a wide variety of problems. Sleep apnea disrupts your sleep and severely decreases the quality of sleep you are getting. A lack of quality sleep can result in fatigue, headaches, irritability, difficulty paying attention, as well as lead to more serious issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and can cause early death. When you consider these daily and long-term consequences, it’s easy to see how important it is to treat your sleep apnea right away. Many dentists may claim they can help with your sleep apnea, but it’s important you find a qualified sleep apnea dentist to entrust your health to.
Things to Consider When Looking For A Quality Sleep Apnea Dentist
When you are looking for any kind of service, you always want to make sure you are choosing someone who has been specifically trained and educated in whatever service you are needing. Looking for a quality sleep apnea dentist is no different. A dentist trained and educated in sleep dentistry is extremely important for several different reasons.
- Poorly executed oral devices- the use of an oral appliance is a common way to treat sleep apnea, but not all dentists are properly trained in oral appliance use. If a dentist doesn’t have a full understanding of these appliances, then complications can happen. Side effects can occur with oral appliances like lisping, tooth and jaw pain, and loose teeth. A trained sleep dentist will be aware of these and how to remedy them successfully. A dentist uneducated in these types of treatments won’t know how to deal with these effects and could leave you worse off.
- Lack of follow-up care- custom-made oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea should always come with follow-up care from your dentist. These oral pieces can greatly improve and sometimes completely eradicate snoring, but with time, they may need adjustments, and dips in oxygen can still occur. Follow-up appointments with a knowledgeable sleep dentist are an absolute must to keep you healthy.
The Importance of Education and Training in A Sleep Apnea Dentist
As with any profession, a combination of education and training is needed to be able to be an expert in your field and provide quality, top-notch work. A sleep apnea dentist needs these things as well. Many dentists may claim they are sleep dentists, but it’s up to you to verify their claims. Did you know that most dental schools don’t train in oral appliance therapy (the area of practice regarding sleep-related issues)? Well, they don’t! This is why dentists need further specialized training to really be experts in all things related to sleep dentistry. If a dental school does offer some education on sleep dentistry and oral appliances, it is usually very limited in scope resulting in poor and even dangerous dental treatment.
Distinctive Dental
At Distinctive Dental, we are dedicated to collaborating with you on your dental health. We want you to feel empowered in your dental care. If you are searching for a sleep apnea dentist, we are trained, educated specialists that can work with you to get back to a great night’s sleep. Contact us today to get started!
