Why we screen for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

In 2017 the American Dental Association recommended dentists screen for snoring and sleep apnea as part of their routine evaluation.

At Dulac Dental, you will see some screening questions on your health questionnaire. We also visually screen the airway at every exam. A visual exam can reveal tori (bone that block the tongue), large tonsils (that may be advised for surgical removal), tongue positioning (which may be affected by a prominent lingual frenum), and dental arch restrictions that affect tongue position. If you would like an evaluation of the sinus and nasal airway and adenoids, we have a CBCT (Cone Beam CT) or 3-D X-Ray machine that can further evaluate the soft tissue and airways that cannot be observed visually. We currently
charge $250 for a full-mouth CBCT if it's not covered by your dental insurance.

Furthermore, we offer home sleep tests at the office. These WatchPAT home sleep tests can be picked up from the office and taken easily in the comfort of your own home. We currently charge $299 for home sleep tests, this includes the equipment, reading by a sleep physician, and consultation with Dr. Dulac to go over the results and treatment options.

In addition to CPAP (positive air pressure face mask) or surgical options, like ENT (Ear Nose Throat Surgeon) opening the airway by removing tonsils and adenoids or installing a device called Inspire that stimulates the muscles to keep the airway open at night, there are a number of dental treatment options as well. We can perform frenectomies (releasing of tongue-ties) to ensure proper tongue position. We can properly expand and position the jaws with orthodontics to allow for proper tongue position. Tori or large bone taking up tongue space can be removed by an Oral Surgeon.

In addition to making space for the tongue, there are a variety of mandibular advancement appliances that hold the lower jaw forward at night and prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. Most patients find this option preferable to surgery or a CPAP.

They work very well for snoring, mild, and moderate sleep apnea, and in severe cases where the patient cannot tolerate the other treatment options or in conjunction with other treatment options.

Snoring results in poor sleep for your sleeping partner and higher divorce rates. Many partners who snore sleep in separate bedrooms, which places stress on the relationship.

Sleep apnea causes a wide range of health conditions that will significantly shorten your lifespan and quality of life. In addition to the risks associated with daytime sleepiness (accidents on the road or at work), the health risks include:

We spend a third of our lives sleeping: Dr. Dulac wants to make sure you're breathing while you're sleeping.

Before we can manage the condition, we need to measure it: which is why we offer home sleep tests. Ideally, we would like to have any patients who snore or have daytime sleepiness or are at high risk for sleep apnea get a home sleep test.

Whether you are snoring or have sleep apnea, dental appliances would be an option. If you have sleep apnea, we would like you to retest after treatment to make sure the treatment is reducing the number of apneic episodes (number of times you stop breathing) every hour.

We want you to live long and healthy lives, with a great smile, and are here to help you achieve that goal.