Sleep Disorder & Insomnia Treatment in Weston Florida

Our Weston Dental Practice Can Assist in the Treatment of Sleep Apnea

A dentist cannot diagnose sleep apnea but they can screen for it and refer the patient to a sleep disorder specialist. Our Weston dental office facilitates sleep testing as well as partners with a patient’s current physician to help determine the most appropriate therapy for the individual.

CPAP Therapy

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Common complaints with CPAP include a leaky mask, trouble falling asleep, stuffy nose, a dry mouth and chronic sinus infections. Wearing a mask to bed each night is intrusive and fewer than 25% of patients continue it for more than 30 days.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Today however, there is a custom dental appliance available that successfully prevents the collapse of the tongue and soft tissue in the back of the throat. It is designed to open the airway to allow air to pass through the throat by repositing the jaw slightly forward which prevents the tongue from closing off the airway. The appliance is small, comfortable, adjustable and FDA approved. Most patients report their sleep apnea and snoring is drastically reduced or fully eliminated using an oral appliance.

Compared to the CPAP system, it’s not surprising that over 90% of patients who try these devices are still using them after a year. These oral appliances are custom made and require special training on the part of the dentist. Dr. Pyle has extensive experience with this therapy and is certified by The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, or if you are currently using CPAP therapy, call our Weston dental practice today to arrange an evaluation exam and see if the oral appliance is appropriate for you.