The Center for Implants and Aesthetics at Englewood
Improve Your Sleep Health: Sleep Apnea Therapy
Client Testimonial
Sleep Apnea Therapy with Englewood Dental, NJ
Do you wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep? Constant fatigue, mood swings, and a sleep partner complaining about snoring could all be signs of sleep apnea. This serious condition causes breathing to pause or become shallow during sleep, disrupting deep sleep cycles and impacting your overall health.
The Good News: There’s a comfortable and effective solution! Unlike traditional CPAP machines, non-surgical dental appliances offer a convenient alternative for treating sleep apnea.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much while you sleep, blocking your airway partially or completely. [1] As a result, individuals with OSA experience breathing pauses and disruptions in airflow.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
CSA happens less often than OSA when the brain does not send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. This results in lapses in breathing during sleep without any physical obstruction in the airway.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this type involves a combination of both obstructive and central components. [2]
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. To effectively manage the condition, it is important to recognize the symptoms and get a correct diagnosis.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Loud snoring: One of the most obvious signs of sleep apnea is loud, continuous snoring that is often accompanied by stopping to breathe or gasping for air.
Daytime sleepiness: People with sleep apnea often feel too sleepy during the day, even though they think they got a full night’s sleep. This fatigue can impact daily activities, work performance, and the overall quality of life.
Morning headaches: Waking up with a headache or feeling unrested despite a full night’s sleep can be indicative of sleep apnea. Changes in oxygen levels during sleep are a common cause of these headaches.
Irritability and mood changes: Sleep disruptions associated with sleep apnea can lead to irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating during the day.
Frequent urination at night: Nocturia, or the need to urinate frequently during the night, is a common symptom of sleep apnea and can contribute to sleep disturbances.
Dry mouth or sore throat: Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat can indicate mouth breathing due to airway obstruction during sleep.
Impact of Sleep Apnea
The impact of sleep apnea on health and quality of life is substantial. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of various health complications, including:
- Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
- Metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Neurocognitive impairments, including memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and mood disturbances.
- Daytime fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and decreased productivity.
Additionally, sleep apnea can negatively affect relationships, work performance, and the overall quality of life.
Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea
Treating sleep apnea is essential for several reasons:
Health improvement: Treatment can help reduce the risk of developing or worsening associated health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
Quality of life: Managing sleep apnea can lead to improvements in daytime functioning, mood, and overall well-being.
Safety: Treatment can enhance safety by reducing the risk of accidents related to daytime sleepiness, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Long-term outcomes: Addressing sleep apnea early and effectively may prevent or delay the progression of related health issues, leading to better long-term outcomes.
It is important for people, healthcare providers, and society as a whole to understand how sleep apnea affects health and quality of life and how important it is to get effective treatment. Effective treatment options, including dental appliances, play a vital role in managing this condition and improving patient outcomes.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, a doctor can diagnose it through various methods:
Polysomnography (Sleep Study)
Polysomnography is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea. [3] It involves spending a night in a sleep laboratory, where various physiological parameters such as brain waves, muscle activity, eye movement, heart rate, and breathing patterns are monitored to identify sleep disorders, including sleep apnea.
Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT)
Home sleep apnea testing involves the use of portable monitoring devices that individuals can use in the comfort of their own homes. [4] These devices typically measure airflow, breathing effort, oxygen saturation, and heart rate during sleep. HSAT may be more convenient and cost-effective than in-lab polysomnography, especially for individuals with suspected uncomplicated sleep apnea.
Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Therapies
A few tests can determine whether you suffer from OSAS, and non-surgical therapies may alleviate the problem. A 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.
Why Choose Dental Appliances for Sleep Apnea?
Dental appliances, also known as oral appliances, are an increasingly popular treatment option for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These devices move the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open while you sleep. This lowers the number and severity of breathing stops that are caused by sleep apnea.
What are Dental / Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea?
Dental appliances are custom-fitted oral devices worn during sleep to treat obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. [5] They are designed to advance the lower jaw forward and hold it in a slightly protruded position, preventing the collapse of the soft tissues at the back of the throat and maintaining an open airway. Dental appliances help people with sleep apnea sleep better and feel better by keeping the airway open and preventing blockages.
The primary purpose of dental appliances in sleep apnea treatment is to provide a non-invasive, comfortable alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy for individuals who are unable to tolerate or adhere to CPAP treatment. [6] Dental appliances are particularly well-suited for individuals with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or those with positional or anatomical factors that contribute to airway collapse during sleep.
How Dental Appliances Work to Alleviate Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Dental appliances alleviate sleep apnea symptoms by addressing the underlying cause of airway obstruction during sleep. By repositioning the lower jaw or holding the tongue in a forward position, dental appliances help to:
Increase the size of the upper airway: By advancing the lower jaw or holding the tongue forward, dental appliances enlarge the upper airway space, reducing the risk of airway collapse and obstruction during sleep.
Prevent soft tissue collapse: Dental appliances help to stabilize the soft tissues at the back of the throat, preventing them from collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep.
Improve airflow: By maintaining an open airway, dental appliances facilitate airflow during sleep, reducing the frequency and severity of breathing pauses associated with sleep apnea.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, dental appliances are a comfortable and non-invasive way to treat it. They can be used instead of CPAP therapy for people who can not handle or stick with it.
Benefits of Dental Appliances
Dental appliances offer several benefits for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, making them a popular treatment choice:
Improved Sleep Quality and Reduced Daytime Fatigue
Dental appliances effectively reduce the frequency and severity of apneas and hypopneas, leading to improvements in sleep architecture and quality. By maintaining an open airway during sleep, dental appliances help individuals achieve deeper, more restful sleep, resulting in reduced daytime fatigue and increased daytime alertness.
Increased Comfort and Convenience Compared to CPAP Therapy
Many individuals find dental appliances more comfortable and convenient than Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. Unlike CPAP masks, which can be bulky and restrictive, dental appliances are lightweight, custom-fitted devices that fit comfortably in the mouth, allowing for natural jaw movement and unrestricted sleep positions. This increased comfort and flexibility contribute to higher levels of treatment adherence and patient satisfaction.
Non-Invasive Nature and Minimal Side Effects
Dental appliances are a non-invasive treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea, with minimal risk of side effects or complications. Unlike surgical interventions or CPAP therapy, which may be associated with discomfort, pain, or adverse reactions, dental appliances offer a conservative approach that is well-tolerated by most individuals. Side effects such as temporary jaw discomfort or bite changes are typically mild and transient, resolving with continued use or adjustments to the appliance.
Overall, dental appliances provide an effective, comfortable, and convenient treatment option for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, offering improvements in sleep quality, daytime functioning, and overall well-being.
Are you concerned you might have sleep apnea?
Take our free online sleep risk assessment to find out!
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing sleep apnea and preventing potential health complications.
Living With Sleep Apnea
Even with treatment, managing sleep apnea requires a multi-pronged approach:
Maintain healthy sleep habits: Go to bed and wake up at consistent times, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensure a sleep-conducive environment (cool, dark, quiet).
Avoid daytime fatigue triggers: Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, especially close to bedtime, and get regular exercise (but not too close to sleep).
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
Don’t let sleep apnea disrupt your life and health. Take control of your sleep and rediscover your well-being!
- Schedule a consultation with our dental practice today to discuss if dental appliances are the right treatment option for you.
- Take our free sleep apnea risk assessment to see if you’re at risk.
We offer a comfortable and effective solution for treating sleep apnea and helping you achieve a good night’s sleep.