Sleep Apnea
Get the restful sleep you need.Sleep apnea is a potentially life threatening disorder that can present with daytime sleepiness and fatigue. It is important to identify and treat this condition as soon as possible. We use a team approach with sleep physicians.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is life-threatening medical disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea and are not receiving treatment. Sleep apnea occurs when tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to all of your organs including your heart and brain. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods of time. When the blood-oxygen level drops low enough, the body momentarily wakes up. It can happen so fast that you may not be aware you woke up. This can happen hundreds of times a night, and you may wake up in the morning feeling unrefreshed.
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Snoring is a sign that your airway is partially blocked. The sound is made as the flow of air causes tissue in the back of your throat to vibrate.
- Snoring can disrupt the sleep of both the person who snores and his or her bed partner.
- Loud and frequent snoring is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Unrefreshing sleep can also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- OSA occurs when the tongue and soft palate collapse onto the back of the throat, blocking the upper airway.
- People with OSA may stop breathing hundreds of times a night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute.
- If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially life threatening condition that can increase the risk for serious health problems from congestive heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease to diabetes, obesity, depression and impotence.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
- Oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative treatment for people who are living with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Oral appliance therapy uses a “mouth guard-like” device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway.
- Oral appliance therapy devices prevent the airway from collapsing by either holding the tongue or supporting the jaw in a forward position.
- An oral appliance should be custom fit by a dentist who is trained in dental sleep medicine.
- Oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance.
- Oral appliance therapy devices come in many different styles, and dentists with training in oral appliance therapy will recommend options based on a patient’s personal needs.
- OAT devices fit in the mouth during sleep like a sports mouth guard or retainer.
- There are more than 80 oral appliance devices that have received FDA clearance.
- 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.
- An FDA-accepted laboratory must make the custom-fitted OAT device.
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