Dr. Baker places a special emphasis on sleep and airway health because he believes that quality sleep is essential to our lives and overall well-being. We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping, yet many people struggle with snoring, disrupted sleep, mouth breathing, or sleep-disordered breathing without realizing how these issues may affect their daily lives.
At our office, we believe that dentistry can play an important role in identifying and addressing certain factors that may affect healthy breathing and sleep. Our goal is to take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to dental sleep medicine and airway health. We listen closely to each patient’s concerns and help them understand the options available to support more comfortable, restorative sleep.
How Sleep and Airway Health Can Affect Daily Life
Sleep is more than simply resting at night. It supports how we recover, focus, regulate our mood and function throughout the day. When breathing is repeatedly interrupted or restricted during sleep, the body may not receive the quality rest it needs.
Patients may notice snoring, frequent waking, morning dry mouth, headaches, daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating or a partner’s concern about noisy breathing. Mouth breathing can also affect comfort and oral health. While these signs do not always mean a person has sleep apnea, they are important reasons to seek an evaluation and discuss concerns with a qualified healthcare professional.
A Comprehensive Approach to Better Sleep
We combine advanced technology, customized dental treatment, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals to help each patient find an approach that is appropriate for their individual needs. Our sleep and airway services include:
- Custom Mandibular Advancement Devices — We design and fabricate custom oral appliances for appropriate patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
- CBCT Airway Evaluation — Our 3D CBCT imaging allows us to evaluate anatomical structures and visualize the upper airway as part of a comprehensive assessment.
- NightLase® with Fotona® Laser — We offer the NightLase® treatment protocol using the Fotona® laser system for appropriate patients.
- Lingual Frenulum (Tongue-Tie) Releases — When indicated, we provide lingual frenulum releases as part of a comprehensive functional and airway-focused treatment plan.
- Myofunctional Therapy — Orofacial myofunctional therapy can help address the function and coordination of the tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles and may complement other treatments.
- Collaboration With Sleep Specialists — We work closely with sleep physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care when appropriate.
Personalized Care and Coordinated Treatment
Sleep-related breathing concerns can have many contributing factors, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all solution. A custom oral appliance may be appropriate for some patients, while others may benefit from myofunctional therapy, laser treatment, medical sleep testing or treatment directed by a sleep physician.
During a Sleep & Airway Consultation, we will discuss your symptoms, health history and sleep concerns. We will then evaluate relevant dental and airway-related findings to determine the next appropriate step. Our role is to evaluate dental and airway factors within our scope of care, explain our findings clearly and guide you toward treatment or referral when needed.
For patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy is provided in coordination with the patient’s physician and sleep team. This collaborative approach helps ensure treatment is based on a complete understanding of your health, symptoms and sleep study findings.
Sleep Matters
Sleep is more than simply resting at night. It is a fundamental part of how we function, recover, and experience our lives. When sleep is disrupted, patients may notice changes in how they feel and function throughout the day.
Dr. Baker is committed to making sleep and airway health an important part of comprehensive patient care. By combining dental expertise with airway evaluation, oral appliance therapy, myofunctional therapy, laser treatment, and collaboration with sleep specialists, we strive to help our patients achieve healthier, more restorative sleep.
If you or your partner are concerned about snoring, disrupted sleep, mouth breathing, or possible sleep apnea, we invite you to schedule a Sleep & Airway Consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airway Dentistry
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
A dentist can identify signs that may suggest a sleep-related breathing concern and provide treatment for appropriate patients. However, a sleep physician diagnoses obstructive sleep apnea through an appropriate sleep evaluation or sleep study.
Can a custom oral appliance help with snoring?
For some patients, a custom mandibular advancement device may help reduce snoring by supporting the jaw and airway during sleep. An evaluation is needed to determine whether an appliance may be appropriate for your needs.
What happens during a Sleep & Airway Consultation?
We will discuss your symptoms, health history and sleep concerns, then evaluate relevant dental and airway-related findings. Based on the evaluation, we may discuss treatment options or recommend collaboration with a sleep physician.
Should I be concerned about dry mouth or headaches in the morning?
Dry mouth and morning headaches can have several causes, including mouth breathing or disrupted sleep. They are worth discussing during your consultation, especially when they occur alongside snoring, daytime fatigue or witnessed pauses in breathing.