Sleep Apnea Treatment

Untreated sleep apnea can create chronic issues related to sleep, as well as increase the risk of certain complications such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. Considering the impacts sleep apnea can have on one’s health, treatment is impartial. In some cases, the solution lies with your dentist. Distinctive Dental Solutions assists those with sleep apnea and helps them achieve better dental health and overall health. Here are a few possible treatments and what to expect as you work with our team.  

Understanding How Sleep Apnea is Treated

Treatments vary depending on the cause and symptoms of your condition. Not all forms of sleep apnea have the same causes. Depending if your sleep apnea is due to a chronic health condition or a structural issue, you may need to try a specific treatment. For instance, sleep apnea may be caused by a problem relating to the central nervous system. In some individuals, it’s a result of being overweight, sleeping on their back and more. These factors are all very important in diagnosing your sleep apnea, as well as finding a solution that works. Our team will discuss your symptoms in-depth and ensure your needs are taken care of.  

Find the Right Treatment With the Help of Our Dentists

With several options available, it may be hard to pick one. Our team can help you find a suitable solution that works for your symptoms and level of disease. Sometimes, symptoms can be alleviated by lifestyle changes, oral appliances or a combination of both. An oral appliance often helps in the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which happens when the airway becomes blocked by the tongue and soft palate. 

How Do Oral Appliances Work?

An oral appliance closely resembles a mouthguard used by athletes. It’s removable and easy to clean. Most importantly, many patients find relief as it’s highly effective for OSA. Here’s what to expect:

• Consultation. Before we go forth with an oral appliance, we must make sure you actually have obstructive sleep apnea, since that’s the form that’s most benefited by a mouthpiece. We’ll speak to you during a consultation about your symptoms and any diagnosis you’ve already received. Furthermore, we must confirm you’re a good candidate and then make necessary arrangements for a fitting. 
• Fitting. Patients usually need to be fitted for an oral appliance to ensure it’s the right size, in fact, any appliance made at Distinctive Dental Solutions is an individual, custom made appliance fitting only you perfectly. We’ll also provide a morning repositioner to realign your bite after you remove the appliance each night. In some cases, adjustments may be needed to increase comfort. Our team can handle these changes in our office. 
• Instructions. We’ll also provide information on cleaning and caring for your oral appliance to ensure it maintains ideal quality. 

As you use your oral appliance, you’ll likely experience a full range of benefits:

• Eliminates or reduces snoring
• Reduces many OSA symptoms, such as daytime drowsiness and concentration issues
• Is quiet and works without electricity 
• Convenient for travel
• Improved sleep quality
• Comfortable to wear
• Easy to clean 

Generally, many patients report success as they continue to use an oral appliance, making it one of the safest and most dependable treatments for OSA. 

Learn More About Sleep Apnea Treatment at Our Office

If you believe you may have OSA and are looking for a solution, contact our dental team to learn more about possible treatments.