Dental Sleep Medicine is not the same thing as Dentistry.
Dental Sleep Medicine (DSM) is a branch of medicine dedicated to the research and use of oral appliances and dental surgery for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing. While the name includes the word “dental,” DSM actually falls under the realm of medical care, rather than dental care. Our North County Dental Sleep Medicine and San Diego Dental Sleep Medicine facilities are dedicated to providing the best care possible for patients who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Patients who wish to see a doctor regarding Sleep Medicine need not be patients of Dr. Langenbach and Dr. Thomas’s general dentistry practices. In order to ensure the autonomy of each of the dental practices and dental sleep medicine practices, the latter operates under the names San Diego Dental Sleep Medicine and North County Dental Sleep Medicine.
Doctor Lynne D. Thomas and Doctor Juergen Langenbach are dedicated to being part of the research and education in this field. Each year they dedicate several hours to the pursuit of further education in the realms of Sleep Medicine and Dental Sleep medicine. They are both currently pursuing accreditation with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Why we practice Dental Sleep Medicine
Drs. Langenbach and Thomas are proud to add Dental Sleep Medicine to their offerings. The dental office, as it turns out, is actually a great place to screen patients for symptoms of Sleep Apnea. In recent years there has been an increase in reported and diagnosed incidences of Sleep Apnea. Currently about 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Traditional treatment for the disorder is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, or CPAP, but this treatment is not suitable for everyone. Oral Appliances have been proven an effective treatment, either as an alternative or adjunct treatment to the CPAP, for patients with mild to moderate OSA. North County Dental Sleep Medicine and San Diego Dental Sleep Medicine can supply these appliances. We’re happy to include it as part of our comprehensive vision for existing dental patients, and gladly welcome our sleep dentistry patients to our family.
Sleep Apnea: An Overview
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing lasting a minimum of 10 seconds, during sleep. There are three types of Sleep Apnea: Central Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Complex or Mixed Sleep Apnea. As Dental Sleep Medicine practitioners, we are only able to treat patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea at this time.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when the airway becomes completely blocked and breathing stops. These episodes, which may happen hundreds of times a night, can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder. At this point, the brain then detects the lack of oxygen and prompts a momentary arousal to draw breath. To achieve this, the body delivers a shot of adrenaline and a dose of blood sugar in the “fight or flight” method of preparedness. In more severe cases, what this looks like to your bed partner is you going through a fit of gagging, sputtering, and choking yourself to consciousness, while you, yourself, may remain entirely unaware.
Regardless of the type of Sleep Apnea, MOST SUFFERERS ARE UNAWARE of their condition. COMMON SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: chronic snoring, waking up after a full night’s sleep feeling restless, and daytime drowsiness. Your partner may be more aware of your Sleep Apnea symptoms than you are.
Sleep Apnea can affect your energy levels, causing drowsiness and increasing the risk of a serious car accident, your ability to resist infection, and your memory. OSA has also been linked to increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, coronary occlusion, high blood pressure, heart beat irregularity, stroke, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, mental impairment, depression, obesity, and increased risk of sudden cardiac death during sleep hours. SLEEP APNEA IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DISORDER and if you think that you or someone you know may be suffering from it, we strongly encourage you to get a diagnosis.
Services offered:
Screening
Our offices serve as a professional reference for our patients’ concerns. If you suspect that you or your partner have sleep apnea, or any other sleep disorder, we are here to give you perspective. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A DENTAL PATIENT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT regarding your sleep-related concerns.
Sleep Study
Our doctors have joined with Watermark Medical to offer the latest technology for sleep studies and, through the use of Watermark’s Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES), we now have the ability to provide in-home sleep testing. These tests are then evaluated by a physician, the results of which are sent back to our office to review with you. This option can be both more affordable than clinical studies, and more convenient for you.
Sleep Appliances
There are various sleep appliances available to treat OSA. The two that we use most often in our practice are the SomnoDent appliance from SomnoMed, and the Thorton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) appliance from Airway Management Inc. These appliances work to maintain the upper airway patency by increasing its dimension and reducing collapsibility. The benefits of oral appliances include travel to places where electricity is not included (camping, etc), and treatment for patients who are CPAP intolerant.