Are you tired, stressed out, and moody because of interrupted sleep? Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops for periods of 10 seconds or longer, can interrupt deep sleep that makes people feel rested. Non-surgical dental appliances have proven more effective than surgery for many sleep apnea patients.
What is Sleep Apnea?
When a sleeping person stops breathing for 10 or more seconds, they have “apnea.” OSAS, or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, is one type of sleep apnea. Lack of adequate breath during sleep reduces airflow, causing the brain to tell the body to wake up and breathe. In some cases, sleep apnea patients only move into a lighter stage of sleep, while other times, patients wake completely.
What’s the Problem?
Many factors may contribute to airway blockage, from the size of passages and oral or airway structures, to swelling of passageways or position of the tongue. Disrupted deep sleep can affect mood, health, and cause daytime sleepiness. The added stress and fatigue can cause lack of concentration, loss of memory, and accidents in the workplace or while driving. Other health risks include high blood pressure and heart problems, and even a risk of premature death. The sleep apnea patient’s snores can disturb a sleeping partner’s rest, too.
Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Therapies
A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSAS, and non-surgical therapies may alleviate the problem. A nasal mask (cPAP) can deliver air to keep nasal passages open during sleep. Even more effective, patients may now wear dental appliances that reposition the tongue or mandible (lower jawbone). A Swedish study showed that the anterior mandibular positioning dental device (AMP) is actually more effective than surgical therapies. The same study stated that adverse health effects and appliance repairs were rare.
According to experts, sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition, and more men than women suffer; a sleep apnea device may improve your quality of life. It’s just another way your dentist can help you smile.
A Closer Look
We are all familiar with snoring. That most annoying noise that occurs when the tissues of the soft palage, tongue, and throat partially block the airway during sleep.
If the same tissues completely block the airway while sleeping, you may start choking and gasping for breath. This is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is a life threatening condition which affects more than 20 million Americans.
Obstructive Sleep Apena (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. OSA may result in 10-20 seconds of sleep interruption hundreds of times per night. During an episode, the oxygen level in your blood drops, causing your brain to disrupt your sleep in order to gasp for breath. As a consquence, you spend more time in light sleep and less time in deeper, restorative sleep.
Since not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snore. How do you tell the difference between the two? The answer may lie in how you feel during the day. If you have lack of energy, daytime sleepiness, lack of mental clarity or difficulty with concentrating, you may suffer from sleep apnea.
Other symptong are irritability, frequent heartburn during the night, frequent urination, and weight gain. But the most common symptom is your bed partner rolling you over, tell you to stop snoring. Children may suffer from sleep apnea as well. Common signs are bedwetting, hyperactivity or inattentive behavior, mouth breathing, and decreased school performance.
Dr. Bryce can help evaluate your sleep condition, and fabricate custom sleep appliances to allow your airway to remain open during sleep. If you have difficulty wearing a CPAP, you may also be a candidate for a sleep appliance.
We will happily verify medical insurance benefits for your appliances prior to treatment.
The great people of Potomac Falls, Sterling, Leesburg, Reston, Great Falls, and surrounding areas rely on Dr. Bryce for personalized, rewarding dental care. Call Aesthetic Dentistry by Design today to reserve your appointment with LVI dentist Dr. Bryce – because you deserve nothing less than a life-changing smile.