Oral Appliances in Dentistry

Oral appliances in dentistry and particularly in the Comprehensive Dental Care Practice of Dr. Loyce Jones fall into a couple of categories:

SLEEP DISORDER APPLIANCES:

Sleep disordered breathing and all the various categories has been said to be one of the most significant health problems in the U.S. and maybe the world. In some studies it has been stated that a drop in sleep from 7 to 5 hours can double the risk of cardiovascular death. It is for this reason that your physician and your dentist may ask you questions about your sleep habits and how rested you feel. Sleep disorders can be snoring, upper airway problems, obstructive apnea and a multiple of other apneas. Having your physician informed of your sleep habits is very important. A sleep study may be recommended that can let you see what happens when you sleep. Often a device that gives you the proper amount of oxygen is prescribed (ie CPAP, VPAP). These devices are the gold standard in helping you with breathing while asleep and treating your sleep disorder.

As your dentist we will work closely with your physician. If the CPAP or other nighttime devices can not being worn, sometimes, your physician will recommend an appliance made by us. There a more than 40 different oral appliances available. It is very important that if you decide to use an oral appliance to help with your sleep disorder that a dentist monitors its use.  All appliances have their risk and benefits. The benefit is there is an improvement in your quality of sleep 61-79% of the time, depending if you have mild or severe obstructive sleep apnea. The side effects can be jaw joint problems, tooth movement, change of your bite, sore teeth, dry mouth, over salivation, etc. Buying an appliance over the counter can cause many problems that if left undetected cannot be reversed.

Bottom line SLEEP APPLIANCES have their place in improving your quality of life when used under the watchful eye of your dentist and physician.

IF you have more questions please contact us at Comprehensive Dental Care, 352-371-9831