Airway health is a hot topic in dentistry and is something that all general dentists need to be aware of. As general dentists, we have the unique perspective of treating patients of all ages and identifying sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) warning signs and symptoms. It is our responsibility to ask more questions and see beyond the teeth of our patients. In this course, we will discuss the signs and symptoms to look for and give you easy checklists and action items to arm you with the ability to make a difference in the health of your patients’ lives on Monday when you return to your office. We will also discuss how undiagnosed SDB and OSA can wreak havoc on your restorative dentistry and lead to an increased risk of failures and breakdowns if not identified prior to treatment. You will gain a deeper understanding of the “why” behind many common frustrating problems we see every day, such as fractured teeth, acid erosion, abfractions, crowded teeth, tooth wear, temporomandibular disorders and anterior open bites.
Case studies will be provided to show you what is possible in interceptive orthodontics to treat SDB as well as what you can do for your fully grown adult patients who suffer from snoring and/or OSA using orthodontic appliances and myofunctional therapy. You will be shown that it is possible to expand the palates of patients of all ages to prevent the need for premolar extractions and make more room for the tongue in your patients’ mouths so that it is no longer obstructing airways and impairing breathing.
Take your practice to the next level by solving problems that your competitors do not even know exist while helping your patients live longer and healthier lives by looking beyond their teeth.
Learning Objectives:
Screen your patients of all ages for SDB and OSA.
Ask more questions about sleep and breathing during the treatment-planning process to prevent restorative failures.
Collaborate with therapists to increase the success of your orthodontic cases.