Sleep apnea and snoring treatment with your dentist!
If you have gotten a recent diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, you are not alone! Millions of Americans have obstructive sleep apnea, sometimes referred to as OSA. This condition is a sleeping disorder that can be problematic for many, though it often goes undiagnosed for quite some time. With a sleep study, a physician can offer a definitive diagnosis while providing sleep apnea treatment options such as the CPAP machine. But there is another way! Instead of using a cumbersome, uncomfortable device like the CPAP machine, patients can also visit the team at Las Cruces Dental Associates, PC of Las Cruces, New Mexico, to learn more about sleep apnea treatment with an oral appliance.
What is sleep apnea?
First, understanding sleep apnea can then help patients understand how oral appliance therapy can work to resolve it. Obstructive sleep apnea is typically characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep, which can occur multiple times per hour and last anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute. These interruptions are caused by the muscles in the throat relaxing and blocking the airway. This results in decreased oxygen levels and disrupted sleep patterns.
What are the more common signs of sleep apnea?
Typical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea can include snoring, gasping, or choking when sleeping, excessive daytime drowsiness, and morning headaches. However, not all patients with sleep apnea experience these symptoms, which is why it often goes undiagnosed.
How does oral appliance therapy work?
Oral appliance therapy involves wearing a custom-made mouthguard while sleeping. This mouthguard helps to keep the airway open by positioning the jaw forward. It can also prevent snoring and improve breathing patterns, allowing patients to get a full night’s rest and eliminate daytime fatigue.
Call or visit Las Cruces Dental Associates, PC of Las Cruces, New Mexico, today!
Patients are welcome to book a consultation appointment at our office to learn more about how we can assist them after a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment is just a phone call away: (575) 339-1838. We are open to new and returning patients and families searching for comprehensive dental care.
