Sleep Disorders and Snoring

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Oral Appliance Therapy

Have you been told that you snore loudly? Or, do you stop breathing during the night and awake with a gasp? If so, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. It is estimated that one in five people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which is also known as sleep disordered breathing. Sleep apnea does not allow people to enjoy quality sleep, which is important for physical and mental health. Those who do not get enough sleep are susceptible to work and auto-related accidents. It also has been shown that those suffering from sleep apnea experience decreases in school performance and job productivity.

Obstructive sleep apnea increases the chance of death from any disease, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It may increase your risk of becoming obese. Research also has shown a link between sleep apnea and certain cancers, such as prostate, colorectal and breast. Patients with sleep apnea have a lower survival rate from cancer.

It is easy and painless to screen for sleep-related breathing disorders with a board-certified sleep physician or pulmonologist. There are multiple ways to improve one’s quality of sleep, such as with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device or oral appliances. The specialists in UT Dentistry’s Oral Medicine Clinic are experts in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) oral appliance therapy. Relieving breathing disorders during sleep will increase the quality of life for those suffering from this disease.

Preparing for Your Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Consultation with the Oral Medicine Clinic

1. Referrals

• Referrals are required for a consultation and are only accepted from a board-certified Sleep Physician or Pulmonologist.
  • If another provider (dentist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or other health care provider) recommends an evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea, it must be performed by a board-certified Sleep Physician or Pulmonologist to establish a diagnosis.
  • Your sleep physician will evaluate your needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
  • If an oral sleep appliance is deemed suitable, your sleep physician should send a referral to our clinic for it.
• Required referral information for OSA oral appliance therapy
  • Documentation of a confirmed diagnosis of OSA by a board-certified Sleep Physician or Pulmonologist.
  • Documentation that a sleep study was conducted. Studies may be conducted in-lab or at home (Home Sleep Apnea Test, or HSAT).

2. What to expect during the oral sleep apnea appliance consultation

• Review of your sleep study report: Please bring a copy of your sleep study report (Polysomnography or PSG).
• If you are a candidate for an OSA oral appliance, we will determine the type that best suits your case and will often take impressions on the first visit.
• A follow-up sleep study is typically required 3 months after initiating oral appliance therapy.

Our goal is to help you achieve better sleep and improved health!