Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder as it indicates that you stop breathing, as you sleep. This type of disorder should be treated immediately as it could have numerous life-threatening side effects, including high blood pressure, heart failure, or stroke. At Roosevelt Dental Center, we take this situation very seriously and are ready to make your nights better again with oral appliance therapy.
The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea, which is when the throat muscles relax, leading to the obstruction of the airway. This severely limits or completely stops the ability to breathe.
Over 200,000 people are diagnosed with sleep apnea every year, affecting men more often than women. Other common risk factors include being over the age of 40, being overweight, having a large neck size, and nasal obstruction.
At Roosevelt Dental, we take our patient’s health seriously by considering systemic health while caring for your oral health. If you grind your teeth and show other signs or symptoms of an obstructed airway it’s important to have a sleep apnea test done in order to rule out any Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
If you’ve had a test done that indicates Obstructive Sleep Apnea is present, there are a few ways to treat this condition. If testing confirms OSA, you can look at the traditional CPAP route, a machine that uses mild air pressure to keep breathing airways open while you sleep. However, many people find this option uncomfortable and difficult to adjust to.
An option we use at Roosevelt Dental is mandibular advancement therapy (a dental appliance that substitutes a CPAP machine), which can be an effective way to manage mild or moderate cases, and is more comfortable. The oral appliance is custom-made to fit your facial structure and all you have to do is pop it in your mouth every night before you go to bed.
Are you ready to improve your sleep quality? Call us today at (206) 524-6100 or schedule an appointment online.
The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea, which is when the throat muscles relax, leading to the obstruction of the airway. This severely limits or completely stops the ability to breathe.
Over 200,000 people are diagnosed with sleep apnea every year, affecting men more often than women. Other common risk factors include being over the age of 40, being overweight, having a large neck size, and nasal obstruction.
There are numerous different symptoms that could point toward you having sleep apnea. Some of the most common ones are:
While a CPAP device is commonly used as a treatment option for sleep apnea, many people find it to be extremely uncomfortable. If you were to search Google with “I hate CPAP,” you’ll see just how frustrating the CPAP solution may be for some. An alternative method is oral appliance therapy. This option uses a device that strategically positions your tongue and jaw to allow easier access for airflow. It is custom-made to fit your facial structure and all you have to do is place it in your mouth before you go to bed.
If you are experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, airway management through oral appliance therapy might be the solution to your restless nights and tired days. Call us today or schedule your appointment online.
Hours: Monday – Thursday from 7 to 5. Evenings by appointment.
