Sleep Apnea Treatment

What is Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last for a few seconds to over a minute and may happen many times throughout the night. Because of this, people with sleep apnea often don’t get restful sleep and may feel very tired during the day.

Main Types of Sleep Apnea:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – the most common form, caused when throat muscles relax and block the airway.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – less common, occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Mixed Apnea) – a combination of OSA and CSA.

Common Symptoms:

Loud snoring (often noticed by a partner)
Gasping or choking during sleep
Waking up with a dry mouth or headache
Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Irritability or mood changes
Risk Factors:

Excess weight:

Older age
Male gender (though women are also at risk, especially after menopause)
Family history of sleep apnea
Narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, or jaw structure
Alcohol, smoking, or sedative use

Possible Complications if Untreated:

High blood pressure
Heart disease and stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Daytime accidents (due to drowsiness)
Reduced quality of life

Treatment Options:

Lifestyle changes (weight loss, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, sleeping on your side)
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to keep the airway open
Oral appliances (dental devices that reposition the jaw/tongue)
Surgery in severe or structural cases

We can help treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea with custom oral appliances that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open

We can help you with Sleep Apnea:

Many people are surprised to learn that dentists can play an important role in treating sleep apnea—especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While physicians diagnose the condition through sleep studies, we can often provide effective treatment options that improve sleep and overall health.

Ways we can help:

Custom Oral Appliances – We design a fabricate a small, comfortable mouthpiece (similar to a retainer) that repositions your jaw or tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep. This is often recommended for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine.
Alternative to CPAP – Some patients find CPAP masks bulky or uncomfortable. Dental sleep appliances are portable, quiet, and easy to use, making them an excellent alternative.
Screening & Collaboration – We are trained to notice signs of sleep apnea during regular checkups, such as teeth grinding, jaw issues, or airway concerns. We can work closely with your physician and sleep specialists to coordinate care.
Better Sleep, Better Health – By improving airflow at night, dental treatments can reduce snoring, improve sleep quality, and lower the risks of related health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime fatigue.