What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during the night, usually due to an obstructed airway. The lack of oxygen signals your brain to wake you up. This can happen multiple times throughout the night without you even realizing it.
Loud snoring that keeps your partner awake is often a characteristic of sleep apnea. It is usually the first indicator or noticeable symptom of this breathing disorder.
Other signs of sleep apnea may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Loud snoring
- Uneasy sleep pattern
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating on tasks
- Frequent morning headaches
- Depression or anxiety
- Unexpected weight gain
- Sore throat in the morning
Sleep Apnea What to Expect
A sleep study is the best way to properly diagnose sleep apnea. The standard of care for treating sleep apnea is typically CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy. The problem with CPAP therapy is that it requires patients to wear a mask while they’re sleeping. This can make some people feel claustrophobic or uncomfortable while they sleep. Unfortunately, many patients aren’t compliant with using their CPAP machine, and don’t receive its full benefits because of discomfort. That’s where we come in. Tryon Family Dentistry offers a special night guard to help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea.
At Tryon Family Dentistry, we offer an alternative to CPAP! We utilize a CT scan, which provides 3-D images of our patients’ airways and helps us determine if there is a potential for sleep apnea. A customized oral appliance can often be a good alternative or addition to CPAP therapy. It fits much like a retainer. It is designed to slightly reposition your jaw to open your airway for easy breathing while you sleep.
The oral appliance is comfortable to wear, easy to get used to, and could be an ideal alternative for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Patients with severe sleep apnea may benefit from using an oral appliance in conjunction with their CPAP device for improved results.
If you suspect that you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, contact your Raleigh and Cary dentists at Tryon Family Dentistry to learn more. Scheduling a sleep study appointment and an oral appliance consultation may benefit you. Tryon Family Dentistry is happy to partner with your primary physician to ensure that you’re receiving the most effective treatment for your sleep apnea.
Give us a call today to learn more! We have three convenient dentist offices in Wake County, North Carolina. Visit us in Raleigh, Cary, or Zebulon for patient-focused dentistry.
What Is Invisalign?
Instead of relying on metal brackets and wires to move teeth, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners custom designed for each patient’s individual treatment plan. The aligners are designed to fit snugly over your teeth so they don’t interfere with your normal activities or your speech. Because they are clear, they are hardly noticeable and provide the utmost discretion during treatment.
