Start Your Journey to Quality Sleep
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who struggle with sleep apnea, you know how it can impact your daily life. At Downtown Dental Group, our Manhattan sleep dentists offer oral appliance therapy to our patients, providing an effective and comfortable treatment option for those suffering from sleep apnea. With our customized oral appliances, you can find relief from your sleep apnea symptoms and enjoy restful nights.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects breathing during sleep. It’s characterized by repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep, which can lead to a decrease in oxygen levels in the body and disrupted sleep.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This is the most common type of sleep apnea, accounting for about 84% of cases. OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, despite efforts to breathe. This results in a collapse of the airway, leading to pauses in breathing and even loud snoring.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): This type of sleep apnea is less common but occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. As a result, the person stops breathing for brief periods during sleep.
- Complex sleep apnea: This is a combination of OSA and CSA, where a person has both a blocked airway and a problem with brain signaling.
Causes and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Determining the root cause of sleep apnea can be difficult, as several factors contribute to sleep disorders. Some risk factors of sleep apnea include:
- A narrowed airway
- Large neck circumference
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Age
- Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers
As for its symptoms, sleep apnea can present itself in different ways, but there are some common signs to watch out for, such as:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Daytime drowsiness
- Difficulty staying awake
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Daytime headaches
- Irritability and mood swings
Unfortunately, sleep apnea symptoms won’t go away overnight. This chronic sleep disorder can impact your physical and mental health if left untreated. It’s crucial to seek treatment for sleep apnea as soon as possible to avoid further health complications.
Neglecting to treat sleep apnea may put you at risk for:
- Hypertension
- Metabolic disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Accidents caused by fatigue
- Liver problems
- Stroke
- Heart disease
If you suspect you have sleep apnea or want to learn how to lower your risk, schedule a consultation at Downtown Dental Group to meet with one of our sleep dentists by dialing (785) 776-0097.
They can evaluate your oral health and wellness to assess your situation. It’s also a great time to discuss any questions or concerns. If it’s discovered that you have sleep apnea, we’ll craft a custom oral appliance to help relieve your symptoms.
Potential Problems of CPAP
While CPAP therapy is a highly effective treatment for sleep apnea, it may not be suitable for everyone. Common problems associated with CPAP therapy that patients experience include:
- Discomfort: The CPAP mask can cause discomfort, particularly for those who sleep on their side or stomach.
- Claustrophobia: Some people may feel claustrophobic wearing the mask, which covers the nose and/or mouth.
- Dry mouth and nose: The air pressure from the CPAP machine can cause dryness in the mouth and nose, leading to a sore throat, nasal congestion, or dry mouth.
- Skin irritation: Wearing the mask for long periods of time can cause skin irritation, rashes, or pressure sores.
- Noise: The sound of the CPAP machine can be disruptive to sleep, especially for light sleepers.
- Travel inconvenience: CPAP machines are large and not easily transportable, making it difficult to continue treatment while traveling.
- Cost: CPAP machines can be expensive, and some insurance plans may not cover the full cost.
The problems presented by CPAP often make people abandon the treatment altogether, which results in prolonged and worsening sleep apnea symptoms. Inconveniences such as these are why sleep dentists often recommend CPAP alternatives such as oral appliances.
CPAP Alternatives With Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open and unobstructed. These CPAP alternatives are similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouthguards and are custom-created specifically for you. Numerous oral appliances have FDA approval for treating snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy
Compared to other sleep apnea solutions like CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy offers an array of benefits, such as:
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Allows you to sleep in any position
- Customized to fit perfectly in your mouth
- Small and convenient, making them easy to travel with
- Reversible and non-invasive treatment
- Can be combined with other treatments for more effective treatment
The Oral Appliance Therapy Process
Consultation
Before we make your custom-oral appliance, we’ll have you attend an initial consultation. During your initial consultation, you’ll discuss your symptoms with your dentist. As skilled individuals in cases of the mouth and throat, they’ll be able to recognize possible signs of sleep apnea.
Sleep Study
If your dentist believes that you’re displaying signs of sleep apnea, we’ll schedule you for a sleep study. A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, is a non-invasive test that measures various bodily functions during sleep. It’s typically necessary to determine the severity of sleep apnea and the best course of treatment.
During the study, sensors are placed on the patient’s body to monitor brain activity, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels. The results of the study help the sleep specialist diagnose the type and severity of sleep apnea and determine the most effective treatment plan. Once we get your diagnosis, we’ll design your custom appliance.
Designing Your Oral Appliance
If oral appliance therapy is recommended, we’ll capture digital scans of your teeth to create a precise 3D model of your mouth. These images will be used to create a customized device that fits snugly and comfortably in your mouth. You’ll return to our Manhattan dental office once your oral appliance is ready.
Wearing Your Custom Oral Appliance
After a few weeks, your oral appliance will be ready. The appliance will custom-fit to your unique dental profile to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. Regular follow-up appointments may be necessary to adjust the fit of the appliance and ensure that it continues to be effective over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) can be a viable alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for treating sleep apnea, even in severe cases. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of OAT depends on several factors such as the severity and type of sleep apnea, the anatomy of the patient’s airway, and their adherence to treatment. Consult with a sleep specialist to determine the best course of treatment for individual cases of sleep apnea.
While oral appliance therapy can effectively manage the symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s not a cure for the condition. However, for some individuals with mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy may be enough to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
For those with severe sleep apnea, a combination of therapies such as oral appliance therapy and lifestyle changes may be necessary to manage the condition. Make sure to discuss treatment options with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for each individual case.
Yes, oral appliance therapy may be covered by insurance, depending on the specific plan and diagnosis. Check with your insurance provider to determine coverage and any associated costs.
Some insurance plans may require a sleep study or documentation of previous CPAP therapy before covering oral appliance therapy. Additionally, some providers may require a certain level of severity of sleep apnea before covering the cost of treatment.
It’s possible for oral appliance therapy to cause some dental problems, such as minor tooth movement or changes in bite. However, these issues are usually temporary and can be easily addressed by a dentist.
Take the First Step Towards Better Sleep With Downtown Dental Group
Ready to take control of your sleep apnea and improve your quality of life? Look no further than Downtown Dental Group! Our experienced sleep dentists offer safe and effective oral appliance therapy to help you breathe easier and sleep better.
Don’t let quality sleep pass you by — call the sleep dentists at Downtown Dental Group today to learn how to begin safe and effective oral appliance therapy. Contact our Manhattan dental office at (785) 776-0097 or book your appointment online and one of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly. Downtown Dental Group proudly serves new and returning patients from Manhattan and surrounding areas such as St. George, Junction City, and Riley.