Getting the Treatment You Deserve
Solving Your Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea is a severe medical condition that requires immediate attention from a qualified professional. If you’re suffering from the symptoms of sleep apnea, the first step toward treatment is meeting with Dr. Huff, our Kerrville sleep dentist. He has the training and expertise required to help you get the proper diagnosis and treatment you deserve.
Visiting a dentist for a sleep-related issue may sound odd, but they specialize in the oral structure, including the throat, which is where obstructive sleep apnea occurs. Additionally, most people visit dentists biannually, while they may only visit their primary physician once a year—if that.
During your sleep consultation, Dr. Huff will begin by asking you some basic questions about your lifestyle and the quality of sleep you’ve been getting. Then, he’ll examine your throat and oral cavity for evidence of sleep apnea. If he sees signs, he’ll likely suggest a sleep study—either in a sleep laboratory or from the comfort of your own home.
Diagnosing Your Sleep Issue
No matter which type of sleep study you choose, the next step toward treating the problem is to get a diagnosis. Your primary care physician must give sleep apnea diagnoses. If you don’t have one, Dr. Huff works closely with other healthcare specialists, so he can help you find one.
After your sleep study is complete, you’ll bring the results to the physician, and they’ll analyze and interpret them. If they find that sleep apnea is present, they’ll make an official diagnosis which includes a prescription for treatment.
Treating Your Sleep Apnea
Now that you have a sleep apnea diagnosis and a prescription for treatment, you’ll return to Dr. Huff who will create your one-of-a-kind oral appliance.
In recent years, oral appliances have become popular options for individuals with mild to moderate sleep apnea and who can’t consistently use CPAP. They treat sleep apnea by preventing you from snoring by carefully moving your jaw forward enough to avoid the soft tissue from collapsing into the airway.
Our Kerrville patients love their oral appliances because the retainer-like device facilitates nighttime breathing without the need for a restrictive mask, machine, or hose. Oral appliances allow you to breathe freely and get a fulfilling night’s rest.
Alternatively, tongue retaining devices halt snoring by holding the tongue forward while you sleep. It works by lightly pinching the end of your tongue, creating suction. The device will hold your tongue forward throughout the night. This prevents the tongue from collapsing into the airway.
