Patients near Dana Point who lack a good night’s sleep seek a highly respected dentist for treatment
How is the quality of your sleep? Your first response may be, “I sleep
fine.” Now, consider your answer to this question: When is the last time
you woke up feeling refreshed? For many patients, the second question
may cause them to pause and respond, “I cannot remember, but I think it
has been years.” If you can relate, it may be time to schedule an
appointment with a dentist who has extensive training in the screening
and management of sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Mark Cruz treats
patients in and near Dana Point who want to achieve better sleep.
Dr. Cruz will ask patients the aforementioned questions to
determine if they may be suffering from sleep disordered breathing. This
is a group of medical conditions characterized by abnormalities in the
quality or pattern of respiratory activity. These conditions include
obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome. Snoring is
a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Accelerated wear on the front
teeth is a sign of upper airway resistance syndrome.
During an appointment, Dr. Cruz will examine facio-skeletal
development, mouth breathing, tongue posture, and tooth wear. He will
use a high-resolution pulse oximetry screening that provides objective
data to determine the risk factor of a sleep disordered breathing
condition. If the findings are positive, Dr. Cruz may refer the patient
to the right specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
By taking a multi-disciplinary approach to dentistry, Dr. Cruz
stands out from many other dentists. Some dentists will only treat the
signs and symptoms of sleep disordered breathing. For example, they may
restore the worn or broken teeth with dental crowns. While this may fix
the dental issue, it does not treat the airway problem.
Dr. Cruz takes a wellness approach to oral health. He leads in a
movement with many doctors around the world to share research,
knowledge, and theories about this approach via a “Multi-Disciplinary
Airway Collaborative.” This platform enables them to exchange
information during real-time conversations, which are available on Dr.
Cruz’s website at https://www.markacruzdds.com/spreecast-videos.html.
Dr. Cruz invites you to watch the videos and contact him with any
questions you may have. He is committed to helping patients find
non-invasive treatments that can help them achieve a better night’s
rest.