Sleep Apnea Treatment in Huntersville
The Smile Architects provides sleep apnea treatment in Huntersville, NC. Call 704-875-1621 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
If you never feel refreshed even after a full night’s sleep or you feel tired throughout the day, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When you have sleep apnea, your breathing is disrupted throughout the night—as the soft tissues in your airway relax, breathing becomes shallow or interrupted. The body is jolted out of deep sleep each time this occurs. This can happen dozens and even hundreds of times a night without you even realizing it. The result is that you never get the restorative sleep you need.
Sleep apnea causes decreased oxygen intake that increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity, and diabetes, so getting treatment is important. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines successfully treat sleep apnea, but patients often find them uncomfortable and cumbersome. Oral appliance therapy offers a better solution for many patients.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy works by repositioning the lower jaw while you sleep. This engages the soft tissues in your airway, preventing them from relaxing and blocking your breathing. The oral appliances we prescribe are comfortable and convenient; they’re custom-designed for you so they fit securely without limiting movement. They are also FDA approved.
If you suspect that you have sleep apnea and would like an evaluation or you are currently using a CPAP machine and would like to explore a more comfortable alternative, contact us to see how we can help.
Many patients that suffer from sleep apnea may be able to find relief using a custom removable oral Appliance which adjusts the position of the lower jaw and tongue during sleep. Our office can create a personalized Optisleep® oral appliance for you to wear during sleep in order to maintain an open, unobstructed airway.
OPTISLEEP: Better Technology, Better Sleep
Made with cutting-edge technology that eliminates the fitting process altogether, OPTISLEEP encourages the sealing of your lips so you can breathe normally through your nose.
This thin, durable, and comfortable 2 piece oral appliance will enable you to open your mouth naturally to speak or drink. And, it helps control your loud snoring.
- 2 Piece Oral Appliance
- Durable Material
- Slim Design
- Fully Digital WorkFlow
- Tooth Individual Undercuts
- Exchangeable Connectors
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea
What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
The most common sign of sleep apnea is daytime sleepiness, but other symptoms include difficulty concentrating, waking with a sore throat or headache, and mood changes. You or your partner may notice loud snoring, gasping, or choking when you sleep.
What happens with untreated sleep apnea?
When sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, memory problems, headaches, and weight gain. The excessive tiredness you experience can impact your performance on the job, your ability to drive, and make it difficult for you to be as active as you’d like.
Is there an alternative to CPAP for sleep apnea?
Yes, there are alternatives to CPAP therapy for sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy is an effective means of treating sleep apnea, as are surgical treatments that reduce the soft tissue in the airway and nasal valve therapy. Many patients are uncomfortable using CPAP machines, but this doesn’t mean their sleep apnea can’t be treated.
Do mouthguards help with sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea and bruxism (teeth grinding) are closely related and a mouthguard or nightguard designed for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder may also reduce sleep apnea symptoms and snoring, but an oral appliance designed specifically for sleep apnea is a better solution.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
A sleep study is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea, but it’s also possible to diagnose OSA by discussing a patient’s symptoms with them and examining their airway.
Are you looking for a dentist in Huntersville, NC? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.