How Does Radiology Improve Sleep Apnea Diagnoses?

How Does Radiology Improve Sleep Apnea Diagnoses?

Imaging techniques keep getting better and better, so today’s dentists are able to get a good look at your teeth, gums, and jaws to figure out what’s ailing you. Radiology is one such imaging technique, and your dentist can use it to identify the proper treatment plan, so you can take your life back. Here’s how radiology improves sleep apnea diagnoses.
Better Look at the Problem
Your dentist needs to be able to see what’s going on to make an accurate diagnosis, and radiology has been an incredibly helpful tool. We haven’t narrowed sleep apnea down to a specific cause, but we have identified risk factors and we know what’s going on in the throat, lungs, and brain. Thanks to radiology, we can gain a better perspective of what might be causing the problem. Heavy alcohol drinkers and overweight people may suffer from the same condition for different reasons, but we can’t pinpoint it unless we get a good look at what’s going on, and radiology helps.
More Effective Treatment
When we have a better idea of why a given problem is happening, we have a better idea of what to do about it. The images we get from radiology lets us look at each patient individually and may help determine why he or she is suffering from sleep apnea. Then working with your physician we can help craft a treatment plan specifically for the patient.
Higher Quality of Life
Sleep apnea treatment can be life changing. Getting the condition under control reduces the direct symptoms of sleep apnea like fatigue and headaches, as well as the risk for serious conditions like high blood pressure and stroke.
 
Radiology helps your dentist in Tucson see everything he or she needs to see to make the proper diagnosis and create the ideal treatment plan. Call John Carson, DDS at (520) 514-7203 if you’re ready to take control of your sleep apnea, or visit our website to learn about our practice.