The landscape of dental examination and treatment is changing rapidly with the increase in technology. It is becoming more important for dentists to screen for sleep apnea. Making intraoral appliances for sleep apnea can seem overwhelming, but challenges can be overcome with training. Dentists can provide these oral appliances in collaboration with sleep physicians. This service is very rewarding to patients who cannot wear a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Many patients suffer from orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and are seeking relief that can only be provided by dentists. Proper screening will identify these patients, and you can treat or refer them. Many of these patients have been told that there is nothing that can be done, but, with the proper knowledge, we can treat or refer them.
The identification of sleep and orofacial pain will be demonstrated, and the uses of comprehensive examination, intraoral scanning, 3D printing and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) highlighted.
Learning Objectives:
Identify signs and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and occlusomuscular disorders.
Understand dental treatment and referral options for sleep apnea and occlusomuscular pain.
Understand the use of CBCT and intraoral 3D scanning in discovering dental conditions and educating patients about their diagnosis and treatment options.
Use open-ended questions to discover underlying dental and medical issues that affect the patient’s overall health.
Open conversations to educate patients about the benefits of early diagnosis and preventive measures affecting upper airway development.