DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF OSA

Diagnosis of OSA

The diagnosis of sleep disorders (in particular OSA) is made by an overnight sleep study in a hospital or sleep laboratory and is called a Polysomnograph (PSG). In-hospital or laboratory sleep studies are the gold standard for the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Sleep studies help evaluate what happens to the body during sleep including electrical activity of the brain (EEG), eye movement (REM), muscle activity, heart rate, breathing, leg movements, air flow through the nose and mouth and blood oxygen levels. Data from the overnight sleep study is collected and reported on by a sleep physician. At Align Dental we work in conjunction with sleep physicians (medical specialists) for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

Treatment of OSA

Treatment options for OSA fall into three major categories:

1. Lifestyle changes
   Many individuals can relieve the symptoms of OSA by increasing exercise and losing weight. Among other improvements, this reduces fat and increases muscle tone in the throat, which lessens any airway constriction. Lifestyle changes are recommended even in cases when they, alone, will not resolve the problem.
   
   
2. Medical Interventions
   Many OSA sufferers experience improvements using an at-home sleep device known as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). The patient wears a mask to sleep that is attached to a hose and pump, which supplies air at a stable pressure level to prevent the airway closure that leads to apnea. In the most severe cases, the only other medical intervention is surgery. During the surgery which is performed an operating room, portions of the uvula, palate or walls of the throat are removed or the jaw bones are cut  and repositioned to create a wider airway passage.
   
   
3. Oral Appliances
   At Align Dental we use non-invasive, customised oral appliances whenever possible to reposition the jaws, mouth and teeth in a way that helps prevent airway closure. In 2006, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine supported the use of oral appliances as the first line treatment option for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. These portable devices are placed into the patients mouth and are worn throughout the night. They are easy to clean and maintain and are noiseless. As a result oral appliances are preferred by many patients.
   
   There are a wide variety of oral appliances available however at Align Dental we predominantly use the SomnoDent MAS ™ appliance. The SomnoDent MAS ™ is an oral appliance in the class of mandibular advancement splint (MAS) that treats both the snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea by repositioning the mandible(lower jaw). It is a custom made appliance consisting of upper and lower dental plates with a fin-coupling mechanism and adjustable screws. The SomnoDent MAS ™ moves the mandible (lower jaw) and associated structures like the tongue forwards and helps prevent airway collapse during sleep.