Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a respiratory condition marked by blockages in your air passageway that restrict the flow of oxygen while you sleep. The lack of oxygen you get while you sleep can cause you to gasp or choke for air, or snore excessively throughout the night.

If you have sleep apnea, you wake up repeatedly when trying to sleep. This stop-and-start type of sleep makes getting a good night’s rest nearly impossible. The lack of sleep can drain you of valuable energy during the daytime, rendering you less productive at work, school, or in your social life.

If left untreated, sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening disorder.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Unfortunately, since many of the common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea — such as excessive snoring, choking, or gasping for air — occur while you sleep, it can be hard to know if you have the condition.

Some other common signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Insomnia
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating while awake
• General fatigue
• Irritability

You may need to rely on your sleeping partner to help point out symptoms to you. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, make sure to schedule a visit with the team at Trident Dental right away.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Initially, your provider will conduct a series of tests in order to investigate, diagnose, and pinpoint the most appropriate form of treatment for you. The type of treatment that will best help you depends on factors such as the exact diagnosis, your medical history, and your overall health.

First, your provider may advise you to halt certain habits that aggravate sleep apnea. This may include quitting smoking, limiting your alcohol consumption, or stopping your use of sleeping pills.

In some cases, your provider may prescribe the use of a custom-made oral appliance to be worn while you sleep. These dental devices gently ease the lower jaw forward. They’re very effective in preventing your tongue from blocking the main air passage. Custom-made for you in a lab, each oral appliance is comfortable, easy to wear, and often helps you avoid invasive surgeries.

For more severe cases, a more permanent solution is to undergo oral surgery that sections the lower jaw and helps pull the bone holding the tongue forward slightly. This type of surgery has an impressive success rate and is simple enough to perform.

If you feel you may benefit from sleep apnea treatment, call Trident Dental or use the online scheduling tool and book a consultation today.