What is the dentist's role in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
Answer
These medical professionals do more than fill cavities. Some dentists have special training in treating sleep-related breathing disorders, including sleep apnea. They can fit you with a custom fit oral device that moves your lower jaw forward, making breathing easier. Usually, a dentist will work with a board-certified sleep specialist to manage your care. The physician will oversee your treatment, while the dentist will make changes to your oral device as needed to improve your symptoms. After a dentist complete's his assessment, they can say this individual may have sleep apnea. Although the dentist cannot diagnose only by looking, the dentist may think it is good to get a sleep test, and you need to be seen by your primary care physician.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, A Team Approach to Sleep Apnea, presented by Kelvin Imo, DDS, IAOS-Diplomate Candidate.
Kelvin Imo, DDS, IAOS-Diplomate Candidate
Dr. Kelvin Imo is a first-generation Nigerian-American who practices in Friendswood, Texas. He received his bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Houston. He left home in 2004 to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist by attending Howard University College of Dentistry and completing his Advanced Education General Dentistry (AEGD) residency with the Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. As a faculty member at Lutheran Medical, he helped new doctors complete their AEGD residency and mentored dental students with Choptank Community Health System, MD.
Dr. Imo is a member of the International Academy of Sleep (IAOS) and is becoming a Diplomate in Sleep Medicine. He is a member of the National Network for Oral Health Access and the American Dental Association. Dr. Imo is the founder of It’s All About Sleep and Imo Sleep Solutions, geared towards treating people with sleep apnea. Additionally, he co-founded two nonprofits, Sleep Medicine Foundation and Teledentist 365 Foundation.
Related Courses
1/respiratory-therapy/ceus/course/obstructive-sleep-apnea-and-anxiety-1536Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Anxiety: What is the Connection?Evidence in current research suggests sleep apnea and anxiety are connected, creating ongoing consequences for an individual's quality of life if left untreated. The course discusses the interrelationship between the two disorders and the recognition of high-risk groups for practitioners providing care.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Respiratory Therapywww.continued.com/respiratory-therapyObstructive Sleep Apnea and Anxiety: What is the Connection?Evidence in current research suggests sleep apnea and anxiety are connected, creating ongoing consequences for an individual's quality of life if left untreated. The course discusses the interrelationship between the two disorders and the recognition of high-risk groups for practitioners providing care.1536OnlinePT60M
Evidence in current research suggests sleep apnea and anxiety are connected, creating ongoing consequences for an individual's quality of life if left untreated. The course discusses the interrelationship between the two disorders and the recognition of high-risk groups for practitioners providing care.
2/respiratory-therapy/ceus/course/team-approach-to-sleep-apnea-1399A Team Approach to Sleep ApneaThis introductory course discusses national health concerns in sleep apnea. The course gears towards familiarizing the practitioner with the foundational physiology of sleep apnea, available treatment options, and the team approach for best practice management involved in the care of the sleep apnea patient.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Respiratory Therapywww.continued.com/respiratory-therapyA Team Approach to Sleep ApneaThis introductory course discusses national health concerns in sleep apnea. The course gears towards familiarizing the practitioner with the foundational physiology of sleep apnea, available treatment options, and the team approach for best practice management involved in the care of the sleep apnea patient.1399OnlinePT60M
This introductory course discusses national health concerns in sleep apnea. The course gears towards familiarizing the practitioner with the foundational physiology of sleep apnea, available treatment options, and the team approach for best practice management involved in the care of the sleep apnea patient.
3/respiratory-therapy/ceus/course/let-s-talk-about-screening-1501Let’s Talk About Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)This introductory course focuses on the importance of screening and diagnosing individuals for obstructive sleep apnea.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Respiratory Therapywww.continued.com/respiratory-therapyLet’s Talk About Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)This introductory course focuses on the importance of screening and diagnosing individuals for obstructive sleep apnea.1501OnlinePT60M
4/respiratory-therapy/ceus/course/sound-alarm-obstructive-sleep-apnea-1626Sound The Alarm! Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Your HeartThis course connects cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea reviewing the evidence in current research and potential consequences for an individual's quality of life. The course provides an overview on the anatomy and physiologic interrelationship between the two diseases involved.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Respiratory Therapywww.continued.com/respiratory-therapySound The Alarm! Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Your HeartThis course connects cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea reviewing the evidence in current research and potential consequences for an individual's quality of life. The course provides an overview on the anatomy and physiologic interrelationship between the two diseases involved.1626OnlinePT60M
This course connects cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea reviewing the evidence in current research and potential consequences for an individual's quality of life. The course provides an overview on the anatomy and physiologic interrelationship between the two diseases involved.
5/respiratory-therapy/ceus/course/obstructive-sleep-apnea-sickle-cell-1727Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sickle Cell AnemiaPathogenesis andPulmonary Risk FactorsObstructive sleep apnea and sickle cell anemia risk factors and interrelationship are introduced in this course. A review of the pathogenesis impacting the respiratory system and long-term pulmonary complications is discussed.auditory, textual, visual99USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $99/yearOnlineOnlyContinued Respiratory Therapywww.continued.com/respiratory-therapyObstructive Sleep Apnea and Sickle Cell AnemiaPathogenesis andPulmonary Risk FactorsObstructive sleep apnea and sickle cell anemia risk factors and interrelationship are introduced in this course. A review of the pathogenesis impacting the respiratory system and long-term pulmonary complications is discussed.1727OnlinePT90M
Obstructive sleep apnea and sickle cell anemia risk factors and interrelationship are introduced in this course. A review of the pathogenesis impacting the respiratory system and long-term pulmonary complications is discussed.