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10935 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46229

Sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea

There are millions of people who struggle to feel fully awake and functional during the day, who feel a lack of concentration and productivity, and become irritable or depressed frequently. Unbeknownst to them, these individuals may be suffering from the sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea. Often thought to be benign snoring, sleep apnea is actually a sleep disorder that has far-reaching negative effects, including impaired judgment and affected relationships, not to mention significant health risks. Left untreated, sleep apnea increases the risk of serious conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Sleep Apnea

Patient Educational Video about Sleep Apnea
Patient Educational Video about Sleep Apnea

Do you snore excessively? Do you suffer from daytime fatigue? Do you awake during the night with shortness of breath? You may suffer from the life-threatening sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. About 1 in every 15 Americans suffer from sleep apnea and it is a problem that many don’t even realize they might have. But what does this have to do with dentistry? Because sleep apnea is caused by an airway obstruction, the disorder can be treated through the mouth. The Thorton adjustable positioner, or Tap appliance is one of the more popular ways to treat sleep apnea. When the jawbone yes lax, the tongue and soft tissue obstruct the airway. The tap appliance advances the jaw bone, allowing the air to flow freely and making sleep more restful throughout the night. If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your dentist today about possible treatment options.


Obstructive sleep apnea is more than snoring. This condition is marked by loud, chronic snoring that is accompanied by pauses in breathing during sleep. The person with this sleep disorder may snore loudly and then become silent for ten seconds or longer. During this time, the brain is deprived of necessary oxygen, and it sends signals to rouse sleep. The sleeping person may never fully wake, but will resume breathing with a loud choke or gasp. These episodes may occur from a few times a night to many times per hour, robbing the sufferer of the quality sleep needed for optimal health and function.

Through the years, the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a blockage in the airway during sleep, has been the CPAP machine. This medical device consists of a small air compressor, which delivers constant air pressure through a long hose and into the airway via a nasal mask worn during sleep. Although this constant delivery of air does keep the airway open, the side effects of this treatment keep many people from complying with use. Some people feel claustrophobic wearing the mask, develop throat or nasal irritation, or even temporary stomach pain from air getting into the stomach.

In many cases of obstructive sleep apnea, there is an alternative, which we provide in our Indianapolis dental practice. In designing a customized oral appliance, your dentist can help you return to a healthy state of sleep by maintaining your jaw in the proper position to facilitate continued airflow throughout sleep. When the jaw is in proper position, the airway will remain open even as muscles surrounding the throat fully relax. Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is comfortable enough to boast a high rate of patient compliance in comparison to the standard medical treatment.

Our practitioners can discuss the details of oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, and determine if this treatment may be suitable for you. Contact our Indianapolis dental office for your visit with one of our experienced practitioners.

Washington Street Dentistry
Dr. Matthew Church

Dr. Matthew Church image
A graduate from the University of Kentucky, Dr. M Church has an extensive amount of skill and expertise in the field of professional dentistry. With over 20 years of experience, he is a firm believer in providing his patients with the best possible care for their dental concerns. Whilst being educated and experienced in a multitude of dental services, Dr. Church is particularly proficient in the areas involving Invisalign, for which he is a certified provider, cosmetic dental services, and dental implants.

Dr. Church invests both time and resources in educating and maintaining his standard of quality in terms of his service. He undertook and graduated from the Misch International Implant Institute Surgical Program and maintains active membership with the American College of Oral Implantology. He is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

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Washington Street
Dentistry 4.7 out of 5 based
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I started going to Washington Street Dentistry when I moved to Irvington a few years ago. I relocated about an hour away and still make the trip down to see Dr. Church as this is the best dentist I’ve been to. The staff are great and Dr. Church has always done a wonderful job! My visits have always been painless and they always take the time to answer any questions I may have. I would highly recommend them!

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