While many sleep apnea sufferers would simply call a sleep center to have a sleep study performed, more and more patients are seeking help from dentists. After all, dentists are highly knowledgeable in treating conditions that involve the musculature of the throat and oral cavity.

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes repeated lapses in breathing during sleep. Symptoms can include snoring, headaches, and excessive sleepiness. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed using an at-home test.

In some cases, the structure of a person’s nose and nasal passage contributes to OSA symptoms. For example, a deviated septum, nasal growths, and excessively large bones within the nose can all cause or exacerbate OSA.

APAP machines use pressure sensors and a computer algorithm to auto-titrate, or calculate exactly what pressure of air a sleeper needs at any given moment. As a result, an APAP machine might work better for someone who feels uncomfortable with the consistent pressure of air released from a CPAP machine.

Tongue-retaining devices: These devices are meant to keep the airway clear by keeping the tongue positioned forward, using suction.

Although Sleep Foundation maintains affiliate partnerships with brands and e-commerce portals, these relationships never have any bearing on our product reviews or recommendations. Read our full Advertising Disclosure for more information.

We know that finding the right doctor or provider is important to your health. That’s why we want to ensure you have confidence in the provider profiles and listings you see on WebMD Care. Our provider data is sourced from the physicians themselves as well as publicly available databases.

The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of the few facilities, both in the state and the region, that is able to offer some of these procedures, and our specialist staff get more info has been on the leading edge of sleep medicine treatments for decades. Our Providers Patient Forms

Many treatments for sleep apnea require ongoing use of a device. If you have sleep apnea, you may try making lifestyle changes alongside any therapy your doctor prescribes. However, you should also continue to use treatments prescribed by your doctor or sleep specialist until directed otherwise.

Most patients need three sessions spaced over a month and a half for optimal results. Yearly maintenance may be necessary after the initial three sessions.

Some sleep apnea sufferers are helped by special pillows or devices that prevent them from sleeping on their backs. There are also oral appliances to keep the airway open during sleep. If these conservative methods are inadequate, your physician may recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a facemask you wear at night that blows pressurized air into your airway to keep it open.

Hyoid suspension: The hyoid bone sits toward the top of the neck and is sometimes called the tongue bone, because of its role in holding the tongue in place.

From the popular Rat Basketball and The Electricity Show, there are always fun live shows on offer, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s on during your visit!

The Sleep Foundation editorial team is dedicated to providing content that meets the highest standards for accuracy and objectivity. Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias.