Sleep Apnea
Prevent Deadly Health Problems
Find Out How a Dental Appliance Can Help Your Sleep Apnea in Pasco
Sleep apnea is a condition in which your airway becomes blocked during sleep. It causes repeated breathing interruptions throughout the night, preventing you from getting the restorative sleep your body needs. Dr. Leavens can treat your sleep apnea in Pasco with a simple oral appliance. It's a reliable alternative to CPAP machines for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
A custom sleep appliance will gently reposition your lower jaw to keep your airway open. It's often easier to wear than a CPAP. This makes consistent use more likely, so your sleep apnea treatment is more effective. Treating sleep apnea does more than restore your energy. Ignoring apnea can increase the risk of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes complications. Visit us for a quieter, more comfortable path to quality sleep and better health.
Common Questions About Sleep Apnea
Q What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your airway repeatedly closes during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form, occurring when the throat muscles relax during sleep and allow the airway to narrow or collapse entirely. Left untreated, sleep apnea is associated with serious health consequences including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes complications.
Q What is oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea?
Oral appliance therapy is a sleep apnea treatment that uses a custom-fitted dental device worn during sleep to keep the airway open. The appliance works by gently repositioning the lower jaw slightly forward. It prevents the throat muscles from collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep. Oral appliance therapy is most effective if you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Q How is oral appliance therapy different from CPAP?
Oral appliance therapy differs from CPAP in how it keeps the airway open and how it's used. CPAP delivers pressurized air through a mask to physically hold the airway open. An oral appliance keeps the airway open mechanically by repositioning the jaw. If you have struggled with CPAP frequently, you may find oral appliance therapy a far more sustainable long-term solution.
Q What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud or persistent snoring, waking feeling unrefreshed after a full night of sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth upon waking, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and breathing pauses observed by a bed partner. You may not experience all of these symptoms. The most obvious signs occur during sleep.
Q How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is formally diagnosed through a sleep study. It's either conducted at a sleep clinic or using an at-home sleep testing device. Your breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns overnight are monitored. A diagnosis from a physician or sleep specialist is typically required before oral appliance therapy is prescribed. If you suspect you have sleep apnea but haven't been examined, your dentist can discuss your symptoms and help you understand your next steps.
Q Is oral appliance therapy effective for sleep apnea?
Yes, oral appliance therapy can be effective if you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It can reduce the frequency of breathing interruptions during sleep, improve oxygen saturation, and reduce snoring. Compliance rates for oral appliances are also significantly higher than for CPAP, making them a more reliably effective long-term option.
Q Will a sleep appliance stop my snoring?
A custom sleep appliance significantly reduces or eliminates snoring for most patients. Snoring caused by obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a partially blocked airway causes turbulent airflow through the throat during sleep. By repositioning the lower jaw to keep the airway open, the appliance removes the obstruction causing the turbulence. With it, the snoring stops.
Q Is a sleep appliance comfortable to wear?
Yes, many people find a custom sleep appliance more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask. You can expect to adapt to wearing it within the first few nights of use. You may experience mild jaw soreness or increased saliva in the first few days as you adjust. Both issues typically resolve quickly. Your dentist monitors your comfort and fit at follow-up visits. We make adjustments as needed.
