A lack of sleep is connected to higher rates of heart attack, blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. CPAP, or forced air, remains the most common recommendation of physicians for treating sleep disorders. But for many individuals diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, Dental Sleep Medicine, which focuses on moving the lower jaw forward to naturally open the airway, is a reliable, more comfortable way to get a healthy nights sleep without the discomfort of forced air.
Dental Sleep Medicine relies on a small mouthpiece, called a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), to move your lower jaw forward over time, opening up your airways to more oxygen and better sleep without having to wear a mask.
All in a good nights rest.
Waking up feeling well rested is more than just your bodies way of saying it likes sleep. Consistent, deep slumber is connected to all areas of your health including heart health, memory function and risk of depression: Good health starts with a good night’s sleep.
*Price listed does not include molar or pre-molar root canals.
FAQs
Common Dental Sleep Medicine Questions
I don’t think I have sleep apnea can I just get an oral appliance to correct my snoring?
If you snore then there is a significant chance that you have sleep apnea, so it's important that you would first need to be evaluated by a Sleep Physician to rule out any diagnosis of sleep apnea. If you are found to not have sleep apnea then we'd be happy to make an oral appliance designed to correct your snoring.
Are there side effects for treatment with oral appliance therapy?
Most side effects in Dental Sleep Medicine are mild and usually resolve with prolonged appliance wear. The most concerning long term side effect for most patients are changes in how the teeth fit together, however, research has not demonstrated that these changes are adverse to a person’s oral health.
Why is oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea covered by medical, not dental, insurance?
Oral appliance therapy is covered by medical insurance because the dentist is treating the patient for a medical condition, namely obstructive sleep apnea, and not a dental condition. The dentist does not diagnose the condition, that is performed by the sleep physician, and can only initiate treatment after receiving a prescription for the oral appliance from the treating physician.
★★★★★
“It took time, but in the few months I've used the dental device it has done more for me than years with the CPAP mask. I can actually sleep.”
My Friend’s Dentist, based in Wilmington North Carolina, is an award-winning Wilmington dental practice that provides general, cosmetic and speciality dental services including implants and dental sleep medicine to patients of all ages. Widely recognized for its office design and patient friendly approach to dental care, My Friend’s dentist publishes its procedure prices, offers savings through its dental membership plan and focuses on a collaborative approach to prioritizing care with patients.
