Sleep Apnea
WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?
When you sleep, the soft tissue and muscles in your mouth and throat relax, causing your airway to become smaller. Sleep apnea occurs when the airway completely collapses and blocks airflow into the lungs. This can occur frequently throughout the night and for long periods of time.
THE IMPACT OF SLEEP APNEA ON YOUR HEALTH
When sleep apnea blocks airflow, the body and brain are deprived of oxygen. The brain then has to wake up the patient to begin breathing again, often with a gasp or choke. People with mild sleep apnea may stop breathing only a few times an hour. People with severe sleep apnea can stop breathing hundreds of times a night. Often the patient is unaware of the frequent night awakenings when they get up in the morning.
Untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to the following health conditions:
- Heart attack
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Weight gain
- Gastric reflux
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Slow metabolism
- Inability to lose weight
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Heightened anxiety
- Poor job performance
- Heavy snoring
- Poor short term memory
- Impaired concentration
SIMPLE NEW SLEEP APNEA SOLUTIONS—ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
The various oral appliances used by Dr. Albert for patients in the Seattle area are similar to a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. They are custom fit for each patient, and constructed of soft, comfortable acrylic. The appliance fits over the upper and lower teeth. Its function is to hold the lower jaw forward so the tongue and soft tissues of the throat do not collapse into the throat causing snoring and sleep apnea. The device is easy to place and remove, easy to clean, and is convenient for travel.
For patients with mild sleep apnea, these devices are generally effective in providing relief in 75% of patients. For patients with moderate sleep apnea, these devices are 60% effective. And for patients with severe sleep apnea, there is a 40% effective rate. Dr. Albert works closely with sleep medicine physicians in the Seattle area who provide overall diagnosis and treatment plans.
Distinctive Dentistry offers a variety of oral appliances to meet your specific needs in a comfortable, caring environment. These devices are easily adjusted to find and maintain the best fit. Patients often experience immediate improvement in their sleep. Oral Appliance Therapy is easily tolerated, and is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a first-line treatment choice for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Following are just some of the benefits:
- Easily Adjusted: Oral Appliances are easily adjusted, making it comfortable and maintaining the best fit.
- Immediate results: Most patients experience relief the very first night the device is worn.
- Easy to tolerate: Nine in ten patients wear the device all night, every night—making oral appliances a highly effective solution for both snoring and sleep apnea.
- Simple Solution: With oral appliance therapy, there is no need for surgery, CPAP or medication.
HOW SLEEP APNEA IS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED
Dr. Joe Albert of Distinctive Dentistry has 5 years experience in treating snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. Dr. Albert’s practice is unique in offering a variety of oral appliances to better meet your individual needs, helping you achieve a restful, quiet sleep. He will provide education about your problem, and present you with possible solutions.
Individual factors that Dr. Albert will consider in suggesting a specific oral appliance:
- Severity of sleep apnea
- Patient’s bite
- Jaw structure
- Size of tongue and soft palate
- Teeth clinching or grinding
- Health of teeth and gums
- Jaw range of motion
Dr. Albert has a variety of sleep apnea appliances from which to choose, depending on your particular needs. Following are examples of some of the appliances Dr. Albert may choose from:
TAP®3
This device can be adjusted by the patient or Dr. Albert while in the mouth. Most patients experience immediate results, with relief the very first night. The TAP3 is easy to tolerate. Nine in ten patients wear the device all night, every night.
Adjustable PM Positioner
This comfortable oral device leaves added space for the tongue. It also allows a small amount of jaw movement so the patient doesn’t feel locked into position. This device is frequently used because of it’s durability, effectiveness, and ease of use.
EMA
With this device, the mouthpiece is connected from top teeth to bottom teeth by rubber straps on the sides. The EMA uses a thinner plastic and is less intrusive for patients with a smaller mouth or sensitivity to having something in the mouth. There are straps of differing lengths and flexibility.
SUAD
The SUAD device consists of acrylic, reinforced by a metal framework. The position is adjusted by a piston on the cheek side of the mouth. This device allows the jaw freedom of movement. Therefore, it is frequently used for patients who tend to grind their teeth.
SomnoDent
This is an oral appliance often used for patients with simple snoring as well as mild to moderate sleep apnea. It may be beneficial for patients with a narrow arch and provides a little more room for the tongue.
SHORT-TERM SIDE EFFECTS
At the beginning of sleep apnea therapy, some of the possible temporary side effects while using these oral appliances may include:
- Jaw tension
- Soreness in the teeth or gums
- Jaw joint noise (TMJ)
- Dry mouth or excessive salivation
- Change in the bite temporarily when the appliance is removed in the morning
- Jaw muscle or joint pain
Minor adjustments of the appliance by Dr. Albert may be necessary. He will work with you closely to adjust the appliance to your needs and handle these or other potential side effects that can sometimes occur so that you can enjoy the benefits of this sleep apnea treatment.
HEALTH BENEFITS FROM TREATMENT
There can be a variety of benefits from properly treating sleep apnea. These can include:
- Increased alertness and activity
- Higher metabolism
- More energy
- Improved general health
If you or a loved one in the Seattle area is experiencing symptoms of snoring or sleep apnea, contact Dr. Albert at Distinctive Dentistry in Edmonds, WA or complete the simple information form to the right, and we will contact you.
