Established in 1991, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM is the leading national organization for dentists who use oral appliance therapy to manage sleep-disordered breathing, which includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
If left untreated, OSA is a potentially life threatening condition that can increase the risk for serious health problems such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, stroke, diabetes and depression. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is the recommended treatment for sleep apnea. However, up to half of sleep apnea patients don’t comply with CPAP therapy or can’t tolerate it. Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for people who are living with snoring and OSA.
Oral appliance therapy uses a “mouth guard-like” device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. Effective OAT devices are formed from custom dental impressions made by a dentist. An oral appliance is fitted and adjusted by a dentist to ensure proper fit and maximum effectiveness.
Dentists who have a broad understanding of oral appliance therapy work with a patient’s physician to treat and manage snoring and sleep apnea. Once a patient is diagnosed with primary snoring or OSA by a board-certified sleep physician, a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can provide effective treatment with OAT.
People with loud snoring and sleep apnea sufferers with difficulty tolerating CPAP should use the AADSM’s online directory to find a dentist who can provide oral appliance therapy in their area.
To lead and promote dentistry’s role in collaboration with our physician colleagues in reducing the burden of snoring and sleep apnea.
To advance the dentist’s role in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing through professional education, practice standards, collaborative care, clinical research and public relations.