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
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop or become shallow during sleep. A breathing pause of at least 10 seconds is considered an apnea. Sleep apnea can be obstructive, central, or a combination of both (complex sleep apnea).
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. It occurs when the throat muscles relax, blocking the airway. When the brain senses oxygen deprivation, it arouses your body to resume breathing. Often, this results in waking suddenly, choking, or gasping for air. The cycle repeats as you fall back asleep, disrupting your ability to achieve deep, restorative sleep. Over time, these repeated interruptions can significantly impact your overall health and energy levels.
How do I know I have sleep apnea?
Fragmented sleep patterns make OSA sufferers experience daytime fatigue and sleepiness despite hours of sleep. The following are the common OSA symptoms.
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Being brain foggy at work
- Irritability or mood changes
- Waking up with a sore throat
How dangerous is untreated sleep apnea?
Many people dismiss OSA as just another snoring problem. Snoring is a mild sleep disorder that doesn’t affect your health. However, OSA is a different animal. The continuous sleep and oxygen deprivation overwork your heart, causing hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. Sleep apnea is also linked to depression, diabetes, and accidents on the road or at the workplace.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Our dentist will review your symptoms and medical history and inquire about lifestyle factors such as weight, smoking, or alcohol use. A physical examination of the mouth can identify enlarged tonsils, a narrowed airway, misaligned jaws, and other physical traits linked to OSA.
A dentist doesn’t definitively diagnose sleep apnea. The ultimate diagnosis is a sleep apnea exam at home or at a sleep study center.
Is CPAP therapy the only treatment for sleep apnea?
If you visit a conventional doctor for sleep apnea treatment, they’ll likely prescribe CPAP therapy. A CPAP machine draws air from the atmosphere, pressurizes it, and delivers it to the airway through a mask on your mouth or nose. It keeps the airway open during sleep, improving OSA symptoms.
While CPAPs work, many patients don’t complete treatment. Studies have found that CPAP therapy has low compliance because of irritability, noise, cumbersomeness, etc. Thankfully, CPAP treatment isn’t the only available treatment for sleep apnea.
How does a dentist treat sleep apnea?
We understand not everyone can tolerate CPAP therapy. We offer oral appliance therapy (OAT), which uses a customized oral splint to treat mild to moderate cases of OSA. A sleep apnea oral device repositions the tongue and lower jaw to keep your airway open when sleeping. Many OSA patients appreciate oral appliance therapy because it’s comfortable, easy to use, portable, and noiseless.
Where can I get sleep apnea treatment?
Untreated OSA can cause dire consequences. Get control of your health with OSA treatment in Indianapolis, IN—call (317) 333-6788 to start treatment at Washington Street Dentistry.
