Dental Sleep Medicine is a growing area in the field of dentistry that focuses on the oral health aspects of sleep disorders and sleep-disordered breathing. Dental Sleep Medicine is a relatively new area of treatment in dentistry that developed as the connection between sleep disorders and the airway became evident in studies. Dr. Catanzano has advanced training in treating sleep disorders as a dentist. He works with patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, who snore, or who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing. As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Catanzano stays informed of this developing science and new treatment methods.
Dentistry & Sleep Disorders
One of the key components of sleep apnea, snoring and related sleep disorders are the collapse of soft tissue unto the airway. During sleep, if the airway becomes blocked in this manner you snore, gasp for air and with sleep apnea, stop breathing momentarily. Over time, this can cause other health issues including the risk of stroke and heart attack. An important role of therapy is to enable the airway to remain open and facilitate normal breathing.
Dr. Catanzano provides oral appliance therapy as a treatment alternative for sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. An oral appliance or sleep appliance is designed to reposition the lower jaw and allow the airway to remain open during sleep. Your oral appliance will be custom-made to fit over your teeth comfortably. Worn nightly, oral appliances have been shown to reduce or eliminate symptoms of a sleep disorder. Your quality of sleep will significantly improve with regular use. This will translate to a better quality of life each day with greater focus and energy.
Treating a sleep disorder is important for your overall health and wellness. Dr. Catanzano looks for some of the signs of an existing, undiagnosed sleep problem during routine dental exams. He can work with you to coordinate a sleep study and further evaluation with a local sleep physician.
Am I a candidate for oral appliance therapy?
To determine if oral appliance therapy is right for you, Dr. Catanzano will discuss your medical history, sleep disorder diagnosis and perform a dental health exam. Oral appliance therapy is generally effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea but may also be a solution for someone intolerant of the CPAP. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Catanzano to explore your treatment options and learn more about oral appliance therapy.