Are you getting enough rest?
Are you or your loved one dragging through the day? Consistently not getting the right amount of necessary sleep can not only make it hard to get through the day, it can cause accidents, long term health problems, and ruin relationships.
Not sleeping well can be a serious symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is UNDIAGNOSED in 80% of the people who have it. It can also be silent, like high blood pressure,
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Waking up choking or gasping
- Snoring
- Grinding or clenching teeth
- Morning headache
- Memory loss
- Acid reflux
- Decreased libido
- Mood swings, irritability, depression
However, as OSA can be silent, there can be no symptoms present. OSA is frequently accompanied by co-morbidities. Untreated OSA can be a contributing factor to the conditions below. The good news is that successfully treating OSA can bring about improvements in those co-morbidities. Many people have been able to lower their blood pressure or diabetes medications once treated. Studies have shown that people with successfully treated OSA live 8-20 years longer than those who do not get treatment. If you or your loved one have any OSA symptoms or any of the following conditions, fill out our screening form to see if you or they could have OSA. The following conditions are associated with OSA:
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Acid Reflux (GERD)
- Depression/Anxiety/Mood Swings
“After two months I’ve lost 25 pounds in two months without doing anything. I feel refreshed and energetic sleeping eight hours a night.“ – Bonnie, Sleep Apnea Patient
How We Can Help
We work with physicians to get patients tested and provide treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In most cases, a sleep test can be done from the comfort of your own home.
As an effective alternative to CPAP, we use non-surgical Oral Appliance Therapy. An oral appliance is a small, comfortable dental device that holds the lower jaw forward during sleep and opens the airway. Oral Appliances also provide effective treatment for Snoring and TMJ problems.
With successful Oral Appliance Therapy, regular nighttime breathing returns and the body is able to restore itself during sleep. This daily restoration is vital to living longer and feeling better. When air is available to the lungs, heart, and brain, the body is more able to fight off infections and maintain a state of health.
Our treatments also help relationships. When you or your loved one is not sleeping well, both emotional health and overall health are affected. Relationships are challenging enough without adding the grumpiness or irritability of being tired all the time, or the loneliness of sleeping in separate bedrooms due to snoring or the sound of the CPAP machine.
Treatment Options
Reversible and Non-Invasive Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance treats OSA by holding the lower jaw forward and opening the airway while you sleep. It is an effective treatment for mild to moderate OSA. For those who do not like or do not tolerate CPAP machines, or those with a partner that does not appreciate their CPAP, an oral appliance can be a great option.
Our oral appliances are custom made for each individual. The fit can be compared to a kid’s retainer or a sports guard. Once they are delivered, they are carefully adjusted over time to assure that the temporomandibular joint stays healthy and the airway is open to the proper place. We then test with a comfortable home sleep test to ensure the device is correcting the apnea.
Oral Appliances are:
- Comfortable
- Quiet
- Require no electricity (can be a good backup for CPAP when no electricity is available)
- Easy to travel with (fits in a pocket or purse)
- Require no monthly supplies or monthly fees
- Do not need to be removed to get out of bed as a CPAP does
- Can be kept in place while drinking water or taking medication
- A covered benefit of most medical insurance plans including Medicare
Our appliances are made just for you.
We begin by either taking a high quality digital scan or a very accurate impression of your teeth, depending on your needs. This equates to comfort and accuracy in your appliance. After examination, we carefully choose the appliance that is best suited for your specific dental and facial anatomy. We personally work with the best labs in the country to create your appliance. OSA takes careful monitoring to correct once your appliance is delivered. We make small adjustments over time to ensure the proper placement for opening your airway. We follow up with Home Sleep Testing to ensure the device is holding the airway in the correct position so you can get to your best sleep and feel better as soon as possible.
CPAP / Auto CPAP / BiPAP
CPAP and other machines work instantly by creating positive air pressure that forces oxygen into the airway causing the musculature to open. CPAP machines are very effective for those who are able to use them. They are considered the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment, and we encourage their use for all who are able to tolerate them.
However, some find them claustrophobic, noisy, are unable to tolerate the pressure on their face, or their spouse has issues with the sound of the machine interfering with their sleep. Should this be the case, they may be a candidate for an oral appliance or other treatment options.
Other Treatment Options:
There are other options available to treat OSA. These require surgery, generally done by an ENT or Oral Surgeon.
- UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Surgery): Surgical procedure that removes soft tissue at the back of the throat.
- MMA (Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery): Surgical procedure that moves the upper and/or lower jaw forward to increase the space for breathing.
- Upper Airway Stimulation (Inspire II): Implanted device that stimulates airway muscles to open during sleep.
Don’t Be Fooled by Store Bought Appliances!
What is different about the Oral Appliances we make vs. what you can buy at Walmart or Amazon? Store bought non-custom appliances can be painful and cause tooth movement. They are also not reliable for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea because there is no testing or monitoring involved. OSA can cause lasting health problems, as well as takes time and careful monitoring to correct. Would you trust your life to a $19.99 piece of plastic bought online?
Our appliances are made just for you by taking a high quality digital scan or a very accurate impression of your teeth. This equates to comfort and accuracy in your appliance. We carefully choose the appliance that is best suited for your specific dental and facial anatomy. We send the prescription to the best labs in the country to create your appliance. We want you get your best sleep and feel better soon as possible.