Dental Sleep Medicine

Dental Sleep Medicine for Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

At Urban Smiles Dentistry, we specialize in dental sleep medicine, offering effective solutions for sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. We take a non-surgical, developmental approach for treating adults and children with sleep disorders and mild, moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea.

While many treatments such as some oral appliances, CPAP therapy, and surgeries focus on managing symptoms, they often overlook the underlying issue. Our holistic approach addresses the root cause— underdevelopment of the jaws leading to a compromised airway—offering a more effective and long-term solution, rather than merely treating the symptoms.

What Do the Studies Say?
More than 133 million Americans live with a chronic disease or disability. According to the 2006 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem, found the cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders represent an unrecognized public health problem and have been associated with a wide range of negative health consequences, including hypertension, diabetes, depression, heart attack, stroke, and at-risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse.

"In 98% of patients with OSAS, the condition is due to abnormal anatomical features of the soft tissues and/or the structures of the maxillomandibular skeleton that cause a “disproportionate anatomy” of the airway.” - ARCH OTOLARYNGOL HEAD NECK SURG/VOL 137 (NO. 10), OCT 2011.

According to the Journal of Sleep Medicine, “38,000 annual cardiovascular deaths [are] related to sleep apnea.”

What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops (apnea) or becomes shallow (hypopnea) during sleep, causing disruptions in rest. Apneas involve a total pause in breathing, while hypopneas are partial blockages that reduce airflow. Both conditions lower oxygen levels, leading to serious health problems if left untreated. There continues to be major health issues and comorbidities linked to OSA.

Common warning signs for sleep apnea include snoring and choking, gasping, or silent breathing pauses during sleep.

Learn more about Sleep Apnea »

What Is the Root Cause?
Research indicates that obstructive sleep apnea and many breathing disorders are caused by an irregular anatomy of the jaw and soft tissues, leading to a compromised airway. An underdeveloped jaw or airway structure causes the airway to collapse during sleep. Addressing these anatomical issues can play a significant role in treating the root cause of sleep apnea, rather than just managing its symptoms.

Sleep apnea is often referred to as a silent killer. According to the American Medical Association, of the estimated 30 million people in the U.S. with sleep apnea, only about 6 million have been diagnosed. Given the severe health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea—such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes—it's crucial for individuals who exhibit symptoms to seek help, improving both their quality of life and life expectancy.

What can be done?
At Urban Smiles Dentistry, we take a multi-disciplinary approach in addressing the root causes of sleep disorders and obstructive sleep apnea. We collaborate with medical sleep doctors for diagnosis, radiologists for imaging, myofunctional therapists to strengthen tongue function, and chiropractors for proper skeletal alignment, ensuring a comprehensive and customized treatment plan. Dr. Miller then prescribes a non-surgical oral appliance and other therapies designed to reshape and expand the oral cavity, opening the airway and treating the underlying cause.

Dr. Miller also treats children who struggle to breathe when they sleep using a system of orthodontic appliances and therapies. These treatments help the upper and lower jaws to fully develop and reshape the oral cavity. As these areas develop more fully, the child’s airway widens and expands, allowing the child to breathe better and symptoms disappear. When children can breathe properly, they can begin to grow, learn and blossom into their full potential.

Learn More About Child Sleep/Breathing Disorders and Treatment »

If you or someone you know is struggling with mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea or other breathing disorders they could all be linked to one root cause – Underdeveloped Jaws and a Compromised Airway. Contact Urban Smiles Dentistry today for more information or to sign up for a Patient Education Meeting. It may not be what you think!