Fix Sleep apnea without cpap-  Loudonville & Wooster

If your partner complains about your loud snoring, you wake up frequently throughout the night, or you often feel groggy or tired, you may have sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway, and airflow stops. When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears, and the flow of air starts again, usually with a loud gasp.

Repeated cycles of decreased oxygenation lead to serious cardiovascular problems. Additionally, these individuals suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, and loss of concentration.

Causes of Sleep Apnea

There are several potential causes of sleep apnea, including:

• Excess body weight: Fat deposits can block or narrow the upper airway, obstructing airflow when sleeping.
• Enlarged tonsils, uvula, or adenoids: These may partially block the airway when sleeping.
• Weakened throat muscles: Certain medical conditions or medications may weaken the muscles in the airway, making it difficult to keep the airway open.
• Chronic sinus congestion: If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, you may develop sleep apnea over time.

How to Fix Sleep Apnea

The first step in treating sleep apnea is recognizing the symptoms and seeking appropriate consultation. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer consultation and treatment options.

With CBCT (skull X-ray) analysis, the doctors can ascertain the level of obstruction. Sometimes, a nasopharyngeal exam is done with a flexible fiber-optic camera. To confirm the amount of cardiovascular compromise and decreased oxygenation levels, a sleep study may be recommended to monitor an individual overnight.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Several treatment options are available. An initial treatment may consist of using a CPAP machine that delivers pressurized oxygen through a nasal mask to limit obstruction at night. Several surgical options are also available, but they are reserved as a last resort when all other treatment options have failed.

At Scott Dental Group, we provide oral appliance therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. These oral appliances are comfortable, plastic mouthpieces worn at night to keep the airway open so that patients can breathe freely, offering a convenient and effective solution.

The SomnoDent Avant® is a computer-designed and manufactured mouthpiece featuring an upper and lower splint customized to fit the shape of your teeth. This appliance closes your mouth and gently keeps it closed so you breathe through your nose when sleeping. This not only prevents sleep apnea but also eliminates snoring for most patients and prevents dry mouth.

The SomnoDent Herbst Advance Elite® gently pushes the lower jaw forward while applying pressure to the upper jaw to shift it backward to open the airway. It is adjustable over time to prevent the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth from blocking the airway.

Do Oral Appliances Fix Snoring from Sleep Apnea?

The short answer is “Yes.” In the majority of cases, if you correct sleep apnea, snoring is either eliminated or greatly reduced. This reduction in snoring is a clear sign of the effectiveness of oral appliances in treating sleep apnea, providing you with a peaceful and quiet night’s sleep.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, getting a diagnosis from your doctor or a sleep specialist is the first step. If you have already been diagnosed with OSA and your CPAP machine hasn’t brought you relief, oral appliance therapy may be the solution. While a CPAP machine is generally effective for many people, it is uncomfortable and cumbersome and is ineffective if you cannot tolerate wearing it every night.

Scott Dental Group can determine the best oral appliance therapy to fix your sleep apnea after evaluating the causes. To schedule a consultation and determine the best treatment approach for you, contact us at Loudonville Office Phone Number 419-994-3111.