Personalized
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type, affecting millions of Americans, even children. This condition is not reserved for senior adults, overweight adults, or smoking adults. It is a serious sleep-related breathing disorder that needs to be correctly diagnosed with a sleep study (at home or in a sleep lab), and it requires a thoughtful treatment approach custom-designed with your needs in mind.
No two sleep apnea patients have the same symptoms, sleep habits, medical problems, and oral health, so every treatment plan will differ. If you’d like to learn more about dental solutions for sleep apnea, please read on and contact our office with any questions.
We will only know the best treatment plan for you after a thorough evaluation, exam, and diagnostic testing. Dr. Bath must review your sleep study findings, get your medical history, and listen to what’s going on with you regarding sleep and how you feel after a night of sleep.
Whether it’s simple behavior modifications, changes in sleep habits, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), or Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), there will be dental sleep medicine treatment as soon as you’re ready to begin. We pride ourselves on educating and training our team on the latest treatment modalities. Dr. Bath has chosen sleep apnea treatment as one of his primary focus areas at Impressions Dentistry.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Let’s take a brief look at this complex medical condition that is best treated by a sleep apnea dentist like Dr. Bath. Once you understand how oral appliance therapy works, you’ll see why millions of Americans seek treatment at their dentist’s office instead of their medical doctor’s office. This disorder, with its vast array of signs and symptoms, is associated with the position of your mouth, jaw, and airway while you sleep.
People with sleep apnea often wake up choking and gasping for air, and these breathing pauses may last for several seconds or may occur hundreds of times throughout the night. The airway of those with sleep apnea becomes so relaxed that the tissue collapses and blocks your airway during sleep. You may wake up because you can’t breathe, which could happen repeatedly as you try to sleep. Here are the most common signs and symptoms of OSA:
– Choking/gasping for air
– Waking up during the night
– Snoring
– Dry mouth upon waking
– Morning headache
– Frequent urination (mainly because the constant sleep disruptions make you realize you have to relieve yourself)
– Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
– Irritability
– Daytime sleepiness/fatigue
– Poor concentration
– Memory problems
– Mood swings
– Choking/gasping for air
– Waking up during the night
– Snoring
– Dry mouth upon waking
– Morning headache
– Frequent urination (mainly because the constant sleep disruptions make you realize you have to relieve yourself)
– Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
– Irritability
– Daytime sleepiness/fatigue
– Poor concentration
– Memory problems
– Mood swings
Long-Term Effects of Untreated OSA
For many years, research has shown there is a definitive link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and:
– Type 2 Diabetes
– Stroke
– Heat attack and other cardiovascular problems
– Shortened life span
– Obesity
– Depression
– Anxiety
– High blood pressure (hypertension)
– Kidney damage (renal failure)
– Type 2 Diabetes
– Stroke
– Heat attack and other cardiovascular problems
– Shortened life span
– Obesity
– Depression
– Anxiety
– High blood pressure (hypertension)
– Kidney damage (renal failure)
According to medical professionals, obesity is prevalent in patients and dramatically increases the risks of diabetes, stroke, and heart attack. Many obese people have this condition, and many people who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea are obese.
That is not to say that physically fit people can’t have OSA; people in excellent physical condition can develop sleep-related breathing disorders like OSA. There are a lot of factors to consider when diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and for this reason, a person must have a sleep study to get a diagnosis of OSA. In the past, sleep studies could only be performed at a sleep lab. You would have to sleep in a strange place, hooked up with wires to a machine, and in the presence of people you’ve never met. That doesn’t make for a restful night of sleep.
Advanced sleep study technology allows people to have a two-night sleep study done in the privacy of their bedroom. Dr. Bath will share his knowledge and expertise in sleep apnea dentistry should you have OSA and want to learn about treatment options.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
The most popular and effective CPAP alternative currently available is oral appliance therapy. It involves wearing a custom-designed oral appliance (at night or whenever you sleep) to keep your jaw in its optimal position and allow your airway to be clear while you sleep. We use ProSomnus® oral appliances at Impressions Dentistry.
Snoring and sleep apnea go hand in hand. Most people who snore have this condition, and snoring is a good indication you have OSA, especially if your snoring is loud and long-lasting. Snoring is the sound we make when trying to force air through a blocked airway. If you’re not sure if you snore, just ask your partner. If you snore, your partner likely mentioned this to you; with Olympia treatment, you can get the sleep you desperately need to thrive.
Oral Appliance Therapy keeps your jaw in the ideal position to keep your airway open, benefiting everyone regardless of age or OSA severity. We even treat children using the HealthyStart® System, which helps maintain the proper jaw position for kids with this condition.
You simply fit the custom-designed appliance in your mouth while you sleep (which you’ll get used to in no time), and your jaw will be gently forced into its optimal position during slumber. You will hear oral appliance devices called splints and mouth guards. Regardless of their name, they work. They’re easy to maintain and portable; if you clean them according to our instructions, your oral appliance should last for many years.
You may be a great candidate for a study if you think you have this condition but have not received an official diagnosis. If you have already done that and have been diagnosed, please contact Dr. Bath to begin sleep apnea treatment in Olympia as soon as possible.
Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea
As with most medical conditions, some people are more at risk of developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea than others. The Sleep Foundation website indicates these risk factors for OSA:
– Age: People in their 60’s and 70’s are more likely to develop OSA.
– Gender: Women are less likely to develop OSA than men.
– Head and neck anatomy: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs more frequently in people with a large tongue and a short lower jaw.
– Weight: Studies indicate a correlation between a higher body mass index (BMI) and OSA.
– Cigarette smoking: Smokers have a higher likelihood of developing OSA than non-smokers.
– Sleeping position: Sleep apnea may be more prevalent in those who sleep on their back.
– Family history: A family history of OSA can increase a person’s risk of developing it.
– Regular alcohol consumption is associated with an elevated risk of OSA.
– People with certain medical problems, including some heart and lung conditions, are more likely to develop OSA (or the OSA may worsen due to certain medical conditions).
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Olympia
As the number of people diagnosed continues to grow, more and more are looking for affordable, effective treatment. While CPAP is a dependable technology, studies have shown that not all patients get great results because the CPAP machine is not easy to tolerate. CPAP intolerance has led many to seek alternative methods, and we are happy to offer you a variety of dental solutions. While CPAP has long been the gold standard for OSA treatment, we offer other more appealing options.
Learn More About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
If you live in or around Olympia, please contact Impressions Dentistry by calling (360) 493-1866. One of our team members will reach out soon to answer any questions you may have or to assist with scheduling your new patient appointment.
