TL;DR
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the airway collapses during sleep and breathing stops and starts through the night. A board-certified sleep physician diagnoses it first; then a dentist trained in oral appliance therapy can fit a custom device, such as the TAP 3 Elite, that holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. Dr. Carleigh Prane is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Most medical insurance plans cover these appliances, most people adjust within a week, and the first consultation at Stone Falls Dental Care in O’Fallon is free.
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax and block the airway, so breathing pauses again and again through the night. Each pause briefly wakes the brain to restart breathing. Most people never remember those moments, but the sleep they get is broken and shallow.
Left untreated, sleep apnea is linked with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and drowsy driving. Loud snoring is the best-known sign, though not everyone who snores has apnea and not everyone with apnea snores.
- Loud, frequent snoring, often noticed by a partner
- Pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep
- Waking unrefreshed after a full night in bed
- Morning headaches or a dry mouth on waking
- Daytime sleepiness, including drowsiness behind the wheel
- Trouble concentrating, or irritability
Why does a sleep physician diagnose sleep apnea first?
Sleep apnea is a medical diagnosis, so a board-certified sleep physician confirms it with a sleep study before any appliance is made. The study, at home or in a sleep lab, measures how often breathing stops or slows and how far oxygen levels drop. That tells the physician whether you have apnea, how severe it is and which treatments suit it.
Once the physician has made the diagnosis and recommended an oral appliance, the dentist takes over the fitting, adjustment and follow-up. This division of roles keeps the medical side in the right hands and keeps your physician informed as treatment goes on. If you have not had a sleep study yet, we can talk you through how to get one.
How does an oral appliance treat sleep apnea?
An oral appliance holds the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep, which pulls the tongue and soft tissues away from the back of the throat and keeps the airway open. The appliance we use, the TAP 3 Elite, is custom-fitted and FDA-cleared, and it can be adjusted in small steps so the jaw position is set precisely.
Professional guidelines from the sleep medicine and dental sleep medicine academies support oral appliances for adults who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer another treatment. Many people find an appliance easier to travel with and wear every night than a mask and hose, and consistent use matters. Most people get used to theirs within a week.
Why see Dr. Prane for a sleep apnea appliance?
Dr. Carleigh Prane is a certified local member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and has trained in oral appliance therapy. That training covers what happens after the fitting as well: titrating the appliance, watching the jaw joints and bite, and working with your sleep physician on whether a follow-up sleep test is needed.
Dr. Prane served on active duty in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and completed the Navy’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in Pensacola. There is more on her training and memberships on the page about Dr. Prane.
Does medical insurance cover a sleep apnea appliance?
Most medical insurance plans cover oral appliances for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Because it is treated as a medical condition, the appliance is usually billed to your medical plan rather than your dental plan, and a physician’s diagnosis is part of what the insurer needs.
The first consultation is free. During it we look at your teeth, gums and jaw joints to confirm an appliance will suit you, and talk through coverage before anything is ordered.
How do I get started with sleep apnea treatment?
Start by filling out the Sleep History & Exam form online from our registration forms page, then book your free consultation through the appointment request form or by calling (618) 624-2800. Bring any sleep study results you already have.
If you have not been tested, that is fine. At the consultation we will look at the signs you have described, explain how the referral to a sleep physician works and outline what happens after a diagnosis, so you know the whole path before you begin.