Sleep Apnea Screenings
Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry is proud to offer thorough screening for sleep apnea -- a condition in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep.Our screening begins during your comprehensive new-patient experience. We use an airway screening questionnaire, review the symptoms you report, and examine your mouth for signs associated with a compromised airway, such as a narrow (constricted) dental arch, enlarged tonsils, or a large tongue. We also capture advanced 3D CBCT imaging to evaluate your upper airway in clear, three-dimensional detail. Because the scan is taken while you are seated upright, it provides a realistic view of your airway. Every scan is reviewed and interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. Together, these findings help Dr. Broome identify airway obstruction risk and otehr possible risk factors related to sleep apnea. This simple, reliable evaluation is an important first step toward better, more restful sleep. Read More Our role is to identify risk factors and inform you of what we see on your imaging and during your exam. We do not diagnose sleep apnea -- a formal diagnosis is made by a sleep physician, typically through a sleep study. When we identify elevated risk, we explain what we see and refer you to ENT and Sleep Medicine to confirm your level of risk and, when appropriate, pursue a definitive diagnosis.
We are also able to screen in a way few dental offices can. Many of our patients choose sedation for treatment, and while sedated, they are connected to monitoring equipment that tracks breathing, oxygen levels, and heart activity -- much like the monitoring used in a sleep center. This allows us to recognize signs of sleep apnea in real time and share that information directly with you. To learn more about sleep apnea, visit https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
