Trouble with Sleep Apnea? 5 Ways a Sleep Appliance Dentist Can Help

Sleep apnea is a condition where your airways collapse at night while you sleep, making it difficult to breathe. Oral issues like bruxism, malocclusion, or misaligned jaw can contribute to sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep apnea can disrupt your life by robbing you of the quality sleep you need. Fortunately, sleep apnea & snoring devices can help provide relief. At Modern Smile Dental in Gaithersburg, Maryland, you work with Dr. Michelle Janbakhsh, an experienced sleep appliance dentist, to help manage sleep apnea symptoms.

Here are five ways a sleep appliance dentist can help with sleep apnea relief:  

1. Screening & Referral

Sleep apnea can be characterized by loud snoring, disrupted sleep, chronic headaches, sleepiness, and daytime fatigue. Factors like teeth grinding, a long tongue, narrow airways, or a receded lower jaw can aggravate this condition. Upon noticing these factors, your dentist can screen you for symptoms of sleep apnea. This can lead to a referral to a doctor or sleep specialist for an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

2. Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliances are one way dentists can help with sleep apnea symptoms. As an experienced sleep appliance dentist, Dr. Janbakhsh is in a good position to help with this treatment. At Modern Smile Dental, we offer both DNAs (daytime nighttime appliances) and mRNAs (mandibular repositioning nighttime appliances) to manage sleep apnea symptoms. These appliances help correct problems with your bite, dental arches, jaw alignment, and nasal passages to provide long-term relief from sleep apnea.

3. Bruxism Treatment

Bruxism, aka teeth grinding, can be a byproduct of sleep apnea and cause further disruption to your sleep. Uncontrolled teeth grinding and clenching can result in jaw pain, headaches, and damaged teeth. A night guard can help ease these symptoms and protect your teeth. Night guards also reduce jaw tension and muscle pain, so you can sleep more comfortably. 

4. Orthodontic Treatments

If your sleep apnea symptoms are caused by malocclusion or a misaligned jaw, Dr. Janbakhsh may recommend orthodontics. Severe malocclusion issues often require metal braces to correct. Otherwise, clear aligners can be used to realign your teeth and jaw to minimize your sleep apnea symptoms and enable you to get the sleep you need. 

5. Follow-up & Support

A diagnosis of sleep apnea isn’t the end of the road. It’s the first step to getting treatment for sleep apnea relief. Your Gaithersburg, MD dentist and our team will work with you to find the best solution for you. Through follow-up dental visits, Dr. Janbakhsh can monitor your condition along with your oral health. If needed, we can adjust your treatment to improve its effectiveness. We can also partner with your primary physician in providing the help and care you need.

Where to Go for Sleep Apnea Relief Near Me

Need help managing sleep apnea symptoms in Gaithersburg, MD? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Michelle Janbakhsh from Modern Smile Dental. We’ll guide you to holistic solutions that can provide long-term relief. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (301) 850-0376. 

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