What can Dr. Lipscomb do for my sleep apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be improved by the use of dental appliances. Many of these devices help bring your jaw forward while you sleep and help open your airway. Others help keep your tongue out of the way so you can breath properly while you sleep. Dental appliances will not cure sleep apnea, but they can improve it. The CPAP machine will always be the best treatment for sleep apnea, but some patients cannot tolerate the device. Those who can't tolerate the CPAP machine can find relief through the use of dental appliances. In some cases these dental appliances can be used to make the use of the CPAP more comfortable.
Dental aplliances like the one shown in the photo are great, but they are only part of the story. These devices must be tested to make sure that they are effective. Here at Dr. Lipscomb's office we will help be the front line in screening sleep apnea.
Our screening process will begin with some simple in office mesearements. These measurments will be very easy and will start to determine if oral appliances will work for you. After the measurements, we will send you home with the overnight sleep device called the embletta.
Using the Embletta
- Small device
- Measures movement, breathing, Blood oxygen
- Sleep in your own bed
- Sleep report generated on completion
- Quick Feedback
Once the Embletta report is generated, Dr. Lipscomb can evaluate your condition. The report will have to be sent to a sleep physician for an actual sleep apnea diagnosis. A report that suggests severe or moderate sleep apnea will usually indicate that the patient needs to have a sleep study done at a sleep lab. Dr. Lipscomb will work with the physician at the sleep lab to determine the best line of appliance therapy.
Sleep apnea process with Dr. Lipscomb
- Question and answer with Dr. Lipscomb
- Airway measurement
- Take home sleep screening
- Sleep report generation
- Report is sent to physician or patient is sent for official sleep test
- Physician makes diagnosis
- Appropriate treatment considered
- Measurments and impressions taken if dental appliances appropriate
- Delivery of devices followed by several adjustment appointments
