Yes, a dentist can help manage snoring. Dentists specializing in dental sleep medicine are equipped to treat snoring and related sleep breathing disorders. Snoring is the rough, rattling sound produced by the vibration of soft tissues in the upper airway when airflow is partially obstructed during sleep. This vibration occurs when the muscles supporting the soft palate, uvula, and tongue relax, causing the airway to narrow. Dentists address this mechanical issue by providing custom-fitted oral appliances designed to maintain an open airway throughout the night, offering a non-surgical solution.
Why Snoring Is Treated by Dental Professionals
Snoring originates from the mechanical failure of the throat’s soft tissues to remain rigid during sleep, a problem related to the anatomy of the jaw and oral cavity. When muscles in the back of the throat relax, the soft palate, uvula, and base of the tongue fall backward, constricting the airway. This movement causes the surrounding tissues to vibrate as air is forced through a smaller opening.
Dentists specializing in sleep medicine possess expertise in the structures governing this obstruction, including the alignment of the mandible (lower jaw) and the positioning of the tongue. The position of the lower jaw is intrinsically linked to the space available in the pharyngeal airway. By understanding these oral structures, a dentist can identify how factors like a small jaw size, an overly large tongue, or a long soft palate contribute to the narrowed airway.
The mechanical solution provided by a dental professional prevents these tissues from collapsing and vibrating. This treatment focuses on repositioning the lower jaw and/or tongue to create a wider, unobstructed passage for air. Since the treatment involves a custom device interacting with the teeth and jaw, a dentist’s training in occlusion, temporomandibular joint function, and overall oral health is necessary for safe appliance design.
Custom Oral Appliance Therapy
The primary treatment a dentist offers for snoring is Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), which uses custom devices worn only during sleep. These appliances stabilize the tissues in the back of the throat to maintain an open airway. Unlike over-the-counter boil-and-bite mouthguards, OAT devices are precision-made from dental impressions to ensure a comfortable and effective fit.
The most common type is the Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). It resembles a sports mouthguard but is composed of two pieces that fit over the upper and lower teeth. MADs gently push the lower jaw forward, which pulls the attached soft tissues, including the tongue, forward. This mechanical action increases the space in the pharyngeal airway, preventing the vibration that causes snoring.
A second type is the Tongue Stabilizing Device (TSD), which uses a mild suction bulb to hold the tongue in a forward position. TSDs are considered for patients who may not tolerate a MAD due to issues like dental conditions or limited jaw flexibility. MADs generally show better patient compliance and subjective improvements in snoring compared to TSDs.
The dentist is responsible for adjusting the appliance to find the optimal therapeutic position, which involves advancing the lower jaw incrementally. This process is crucial for balancing effectiveness in reducing snoring with patient comfort. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to make fine-tuned adjustments and monitor any potential changes to the bite or teeth.
Determining If Dental Treatment Is Right For You
Before any dental appliance is prescribed, a medical assessment is necessary to distinguish between simple snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Simple snoring is a noise issue, while OSA involves repeated episodes of airway collapse that can have serious health consequences. Dentists cannot diagnose OSA; only a physician or sleep specialist can.
The physician typically orders an overnight sleep study, known as polysomnography, to objectively measure breathing patterns and oxygen levels during sleep. This step is mandatory because the treatment approach changes significantly if OSA is present. For patients with confirmed mild-to-moderate OSA, or those who cannot tolerate the standard CPAP machine, an oral appliance is often recommended by the sleep physician.
If the assessment confirms only simple snoring, the dentist can prescribe a custom oral appliance independently. The initial dental assessment involves a thorough examination of the mouth, jaw joints, and airway anatomy to ensure the patient is a good candidate for OAT. This evaluation helps the qualified dentist determine the most suitable appliance type and establish the baseline measurements for custom fabrication.
The process requires collaboration between the dentist and the sleep physician to ensure the treatment is effective and safe. The dentist manages the fitting and adjustment of the appliance, while the physician oversees the overall medical condition and post-treatment sleep testing. This team-based approach ensures that the underlying cause of the sleep-disordered breathing is properly managed.