Sleep Apnea Treatments
Dr. Brandon Dawson is highly trained in dental sleep medicine and works with physicians to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through custom oral appliance therapy. Your physician diagnoses OSA and guides your overall medical care; Dr. Dawson evaluates your oral health, fits the appliance, and provides ongoing dental follow-up.
CPAP is an effective treatment option for OSA when used consistently. For appropriate patients who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer another option, a custom oral appliance may also be effective. The right choice depends on your medical needs, preferences, treatment response, and ability to use it consistently.
Custom Oral Appliances
A custom oral appliance gently supports the lower jaw forward during sleep to help keep the airway open. Dr. Dawson evaluates your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints, then fits and adjusts a lab-made appliance for your needs.
Oral appliance therapy can be a less cumbersome alternative to CPAP machines for eligible patients. Follow-up with Dr. Dawson and your physician helps assess comfort, side effects, and whether treatment is working.
Physician Diagnosis and Dental Consultation
If you suspect sleep apnea, your physician can arrange the appropriate evaluation and sleep testing. After a medical diagnosis, Dr. Dawson reviews your history and examines your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw to determine whether oral appliance therapy is suitable from a dental standpoint.
Dr. Dawson coordinates with your physician so your oral appliance treatment fits your overall care plan. Your physician may recommend follow-up sleep testing to confirm how well the appliance is controlling your OSA.
Benefits of Treatment
For many appropriate patients, a custom oral appliance can reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms, especially when it is worn consistently. Your experience and response will depend on your condition and should be checked with follow-up care.
Dr. Dawson adjusts the appliance for comfort and effectiveness and monitors for dental or bite changes over time. Ongoing physician follow-up helps confirm that your sleep apnea remains well managed.
How It Works
Start with a physician diagnosis of OSA or ask us how to begin an evaluation. Dr. Dawson then completes a dental assessment, discusses your options, and coordinates with your physician before beginning oral appliance therapy.
After the appliance is made, Dr. Dawson fits it, guides gradual adjustments, and checks your comfort and oral health. Your physician can order follow-up sleep testing to verify effectiveness, and periodic visits help keep treatment on track.
Restful Sleep Center
Restful Sleep Center is Dr. Dawson’s dedicated dental sleep medicine practice. It focuses on custom oral appliance therapy for people with obstructive sleep apnea and coordinates with their physicians from evaluation through follow-up. Visit Restful Sleep Center for more information about treatment and getting started.
Interested in oral appliance therapy? Call Dawson Dental at (623) 566-1310 or contact our office.
