Dental Sleep Medicine*

FAQs about Dental Sleep Medicine treatment

Ask us - Q&A

If I have a problem - do I really need to do anything?

- not always but sometimes the problems are not obvious, equally sometimes the solution is easier than you may think. Treatment is always the patient’s choice, although there may be consequences, but there is with everything!

Is my problem affecting my body, my health, my mouth and/or my teeth?

- Our bodies functions as one - that is, biologically everything is connected to everything else. We just don’t always seem that way but remember; our bodies are smarter than us at compensation - but not indefinitely!

What happens if I do nothing ?

For those who drive, you know that when something is wrong with the engine, the engine light comes on. As humans we don’t have a warning light! 

What are my benefits if the problem is resolved ?

The benefits can be life changing! Often for the sufferer, but equally for the bedpartner of those who snore, most of them know that they too have a problem!

What are my choices?

Your solutions will depend on what’s wrong. Just a few years ago, young people (especially female) who had chronic fatigue (as if they had obstructive sleep apnea) but they got no help because its “all in your mind”, well it wasn’t - we now recognize UARS, and simple treatment can change their lives. This is just one example.

How much does treatment cost?

Again, cost depends on what you need, sometimes treatment costs nothing. We will always look at the most cost effective means of treatment or management - sometimes when an appliance is way to produce life changing changes that the patient seeks, even though costs may range between $ 300 - $3000 people never regret their investment. Again, for those whose lives will be transformed and their health and quality of life dramatically improved - this may be a worthwhile investment.

 How do I know what I need?

A very good question. The one thing that we forget as clinicians sometimes - is the value of a correct diagnosis. We need to treat the cause, not the effect. When the root cause is treated, the effects resolve. We always provide a thorough examination and appropriate tests so that we can achieve an accurate diagnosis.

Does my insurance cover this?

For those who have extended medical insurance, there may be coverage, but for even those that don’t have coverage, we’ve never seen anyone who wants to get better, not be able to achieve this. Wanting to make this work and help ourselves - no matter what - is a great power to make therapy successful and rewarding.

How long does it take before I benefit ?

Improvement is usually instantaneous, and sometimes despite a great start, it gets even better!

How long do the benefits last ?

Generally, once adjusted, the benefits last for many years. If there are any problems, weight loss, starting to snore again, etc. we may suggest an adjustment, which invariably quickly resolves the problem.

Does it hurt and are there any associated problems ?

There are remarkably few problems, and most people have none - however we go over everything prior to treatment and can resolve anything that may arise.

Will it work for me, what happens if it doesn’t ?

Just like anything medical, not everything works for everyone. Aspirin and penicillin work pretty well against pain and infections (respectively) but if you’re allergic to one or both - they don’t work. So if an appliance doesn’t work, we’ll help you financially toward the alternative. This is RARE.

OK, I want to get better, where do I start?

Drop me a line on “info@abettersleep.ca” - “book a video consult” - or use the “ask a question” link. Then if you’d like to - we can arrange to take some records and give you your options, from there we can start giving you what you’re looking for - “A Better Sleep.”

We can start to put these questions into an understandable perspective for you. “You can do better, when you know better” - before you start any kind of Medical or Dental care - this is a basic right that we all have. Our duty as healthcare professionals is to provide ALL TREATMENT CHOICES, not to do so is a failure to provide informed consent. Ask questions - this is all about you, not us! These Q&A are only a guide, but it gives some ideas.