Dentist Is Primary Care For Sleep Apnea

For several years now, the public is becoming aware that dentists are treating patients with the potentially life-threatening condition called "Obstructive Sleep Apnea."

Sleep professionals have known for years that "retrognathia" contributes to obstructed airways and that snoring appliances made by dentists have helped, if not cured patients of the deleterious affects of sleep apnea.

So last year the ASM (Academy Of Sleep Medicine) acknowledged that traditioal methods of diagnosis and treatment of mild and moderate sleep apnea were excessive and that these can be effectively diagnosed in the comfort of your own bed rather than in a sleep clinic and simply treated with dental oral appliances, thus lending dentists the support and credibility for what they have known for years.

It is still recommended that patients with severe sleep apnea still be tested with muliple lead testing in a controlled sleep clinic and certified technician.  Therefore, dentists must be trained in identifying and evaluating the severity of the condition and must make proper referral when indicated.

Nationally renown Chicago Cosmetic and Neuromuscular dentist, "Dr Ivan" Valcarenghi writes for several professional and public journals, speaks and consults regarding advances in dentistry.