Sleep Apnea & Dentistry

While it is well documented that sleep apnea can reduce one's lifespan and affect quality of life as we age, the cause of sleep apnea may not be understood as well. Some tout a neurological component that is not well understood; others claim obesity plays a part.

However, what seems to be overlooked the most is dentistry. It plays a large role in treating and preventing the occurrence of sleep apnea.

Dentistry & Treatment of Sleep Apnea

One of the most highly recommended treatments for sleep apnea is the CPAP apparatus involving forced air through a facemask or nasal tubing with obtrusive hoses, straps and a tethered air pump. What the general public may not know is that many people cannot tolerate this apparatus as it is too invasive.

Therefore, the first approach should be the use of an MAA or mandibular advancement appliance which functions by placing the lower jaw forward thereby pulling the tongue away from obstructing against the soft palate. These plastic appliances are almost as innumerable as there are dentists and can be highly effective in keeping the patient's airway open during any sleep position they may assume.

Dentistry & Prevention of Sleep Apnea

In regards to preventing sleep apnea, dentistry's role begins first in childhood by recognizing developmental issues of the face and jaw caused by restricted upper airway from enlarged tonsils, adenoids, blocked nasal passages, etc. from chronic infections or untreated airborne or food allergies. By identifying the elements that cause restricted upper airway in our children and working to eliminate them in re-establishing nasal airway combined with early interventive functional orthodontia, the constricted jaws and overclosed bites that allow no room for the tongue can be corrected. It is the lack of space in the mouth for the tongue that is foremost and primarily the cause of airway obstruction, snoring, and adult sleep apnea.

The connection between allergies and chronic infections of the upper airway in our children is the most missed and preventable cause of adult sleep apnea. For the same reasons it is also the leading cause of malocclusion (bad bites), TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction), and cervical neck problems (caused by forward head posturing for better mouth breathing) often missed by many primary care physicians and dentists in the world today.