Sleep apnea is becoming increasingly common for Americans. When left undiagnosed and untreated, this condition can have serious consequences and negatively affect your total body wellness. We create custom night guards and oral appliances as less invasive forms of sleep apnea treatment. Both custom-made night guards and mandibular oral appliances are more comfortable solutions for patients suffering from sleep apnea and its side effects.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by continual pauses in breathing during sleep, caused by a combination of your muscles relaxing during sleep and gravity pulling your airway closed simultaneously. Sleep apnea can lead to several serious conditions including hypertension, memory loss, mood change, weight gain, and severe fatigue.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea regularly complain of:
- Heavy Snoring
- Periodic Loss Of Breath While Sleeping
- Struggling To Breathe While Sleeping
- Constant Fatigue And Lack Of Energy
- Weight Gain
- Depression
- Dry Throat
- Irritability & Mood Swings
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 22 million people have sleep apnea in the United States alone. This can be a serious condition, especially when left untreated. If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect that you have this condition, you could be at a higher risk for:
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Depression
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Diabetes
- Worsening ADHD
What Treatments Are Available For Sleep Apnea?
If we suspect that you may have sleep apnea, our team will coordinate with a sleep specialist to provide an official diagnosis and to ensure you get the treatment you need! If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you will likely be provided with either a CPAP machine or an oral appliance for treatment.
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is the most common treatment for most people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP machine has a small air blower connected to a cushioned plastic mask that covers your nose. The blower forces air through a flexible hose into the mask to help keep your airways open while you sleep.
We make custom oral appliances, otherwise known as mandibular repositioning appliances, that are designed to open airways during sleep to provide relief from symptoms of sleep apnea.
Generally, patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea prefer oral appliances over bulky CPAP machines.
We Bill Through Medical Insurance!
Most dentists do not bill through patients' medical insurance for sleep apnea treatment, but we do! This means that you can receive a thorough screening from the dentist you know and trust, without needing to seek out an outside specialist.
If you have questions about the medical insurance billing process, please call today to speak with a helpful member of our staff.
No matter what treatment you require, we will be there for you every step of the way!
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Screening With Schlobohm Dental
Don't let sleep apnea get in the way of your quality of life or overall health. Call Schlobohm Dental today to schedule your sleep apnea screening.