Sleep apnea

What is dental sleep medicine?

It’s a relatively new branch of dentistry that treats sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing problems.

Don’t confuse dental sleep medicine with dental sedation or sleep dentistry. Dental sleep medicine treats sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a malady where you have frequent, intermittent pauses in breathing while sleeping. These pauses can last for up to 60 seconds. They are caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and obstructs the airway. When the brain is not getting enough oxygen it hinders important physical processes.

There are three different types of sleep apnea. They are categorized by the cause of the cessation of breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where your throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to control your breathing. The final type is called complex sleep apnea syndrome. This serious form occurs when a patient has both of the other apnea types.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a medical doctor. If you have several of the following symptoms, we encourage you to see a doctor that specializes in sleep disorders.

• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Insomnia
• Sleep Deprivation
• Excessive Snoring
• Episodes of Not Breathing
• Mouth Breathing
• Dry Mouth/Throat
• Fatigue
• Frequent Headaches
• Irritability

How does a sleep apnea dentist treat sleep apnea?

Dentists use oral appliance therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Patients wear a custom-fitted removable oral appliance at night. The appliance fits somewhat like a sports mouthguard.

How does an oral appliance work?

An oral appliance restricts your airway from collapsing. It either holds the tongue or jaw in a forward position.

Does an oral appliance work as well as a CPAP machine?

It depends on the severity of the condition and other variables specific to the patient. Many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea benefit from OAT.

What are the advantages of OAT over CPAP?

Some individuals find the device more comfortable. It’s smaller and easier to clean than a CPAP system. Patients who suffer from claustrophobia often prefer OAT. Patients who move around a lot when they sleep can get twisted up in the CPAP tube. And a small, portable device that is easier to travel with.

If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in OAT, give us a call at the number below.

Contact Harris Dental:

480-428-0040

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

4444 N 32 St Ste 208
Phoenix, Arizona
85018

Sleep apnea a potentially serious condition in which your breathing periodically stops while you sleep. Millions of Americans cope with it. The good news is that treatment is available at Harris Dental in Phoenix.

How do you know if you have sleep apnea? Here is a list of common symptoms.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Insomnia
• Sleep Deprivation
• Excessive Snoring
• Episodes of Not Breathing
• Mouth Breathing
• Dry Mouth/Throat
• Fatigue
• Frequent Headaches
• Irritability

Having one of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have apnea. But if you have more than one, you might want to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea describes a condition where your throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to control your breathing. The final type is called complex sleep apnea syndrome. This type occurs when someone has a combination of the two previously listed.

If you or a loved one has sleep apnea, the first step in treating it is an accurate diagnosis. Call us at Harris Dental in Phoenix. People from Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Mesa come to us for general dentistry and more. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Harris Dental:

480-428-0040

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

4444 N 32 St Ste 208
Phoenix, Arizona
85018

Partner can’t sleep because you snore? Is it finally time to do away with it? At Harris Dental in Phoenix, we can help.

Snoring sounds can occur when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses onto the soft palate. This constricts the air flow. As you breathe, this area opens and closes—with a noisy result.

Your snoring may be a symptom of a condition called sleep apnea. With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the air passageway not only narrows, you actually stop breathing. These pauses can last for up to a minute and occur repeatedly dozens or even hundreds of time per night.

Many people with sleep apnea snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea. Regular snoring does not generally wake you up during the night.

Is My Snoring a Symptom of Sleep Apnea?

• Do you wake up numerous times during the night gasping?
• Are you excessively tired during the day?
• Do you wake up with a headache?
• Are you so sleepy during the day that you doze off?
• Are your mouth and throat noticeably dry when you wake up?

Snoring is more than a pesky annoyance. It has significant health consequences. And sleep apnea is even more dangerous because it completely cuts off the oxygen flow.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is the most prevalent type. It is caused by throat muscles relaxing and blocking the airway.
• Central Sleep Apnea: The cause of the breathing cessation originates in the central nervous system. The brain fails to control the breathing muscles.
• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (Treatment-emergent Central Sleep Apnea): This condition is present when a person has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Can My Dentist Help Me Stop Snoring?

If you or a loved one snores, call us at Harris Dental in Phoenix. We treat sleep disorders. We’ve also got a full range of general dentistry services. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Harris Dental:

480-428-0040

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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