sleep apnea yorktown dentistMaybe you didn’t expect to come across a blog on sleep apnea on a dental website. Did you know FDA-approved oral appliances are available to efficiently and comfortably treat mild-to-moderate cases of sleep apnea? We’ll review the definition and risks of obstructive sleep apnea, and then show you how two custom-made oral appliances from Anthony Martin Dentistry may provide the perfect sleep-restorative solution for you.

What is Sleep Apnea?

The word “apnea” means a temporary cessation of breath. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If you have OSA, your airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, stopping your breathing. Your breathing may stop hundreds of times nightly lasting for a few seconds at a time to more than a minute at a time.

This process of breathing obstruction, then breathing resumption accompanied by snoring and snorting, is clearly stressful to your heart (and your bed partner). Obstructive sleep apnea, is considered a serious medical condition, can have many negative health consequences:

  • Daytime fatigue/sleepiness, sometimes leading to workplace and driving accidents.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Liver problems.
  • Heartburn/acid reflux.
  • Morning headaches.
  • Depression.
  • Sleep-deprived partners.

The Health Rewards of Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

Treating OSA with custom-made oral appliance therapy can help you feel like a new you. You will find that your symptoms and your quality of life can improve markedly when you use your appliance regularly each night. You will typically adjust to your appliance readily and find that you:

  • Sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed, not fatigued.
  • Have more energy.
  • Feel mentally and physically sharper throughout your day.

Treating sleep apnea with a dentist-fitted oral appliance can dramatically improve your quality of life, especially because the TAP and EMA appliances (which we describe in next month’s blog) have much higher patient compliance rates than CPAP treatment. To learn more about dental treatments for sleep apnea, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Anthony Martin Dentistry at (757) 886-0300 or request an appointment online.