Do you have difficulty sleeping? You may be suffering from the disorder called sleep apnea, which is the cease or cutoff of breathing while you sleep.Do you have difficulty sleeping? You may be suffering from the disorder called sleep apnea, which is the cease or cutoff of breathing while you sleep.

There are three forms of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea – a obstruction in the airway due to excess tissue
• Central sleep apnea – when your brain does not properly send signals to muscles that control breathing
• Mixed sleep apnea (also known as complex sleep apnea) – a mixture of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea can be effectively treated by our dentistry with a treatment called Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). We will provide a custom oral device, similar to a retainer or sports mouth guard. A tongue-retaining device may be provided if your sleep apnea is due to your tongue obstructing your airway. A headgear may be provided to properly reposition your jaw if your sleep apnea is due to the improper alignment of your jaw. The devices are all removable and only worn during sleep.

If your sleep apnea is severe, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the preferred treatment. 

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Heartburn
• Headaches
• Loud snoring
• Memory loss
• Morning fatigue
• Weight gain or loss

Both adults and children can suffer from sleep apnea, so it is vital to have sleep apnea diagnosed and treated. Please talk to your primary care physician or sleep specialist if you are suffering from sleep apnea.

Implants tend to be more expensive than bridges because implants are stronger, longer-lasting, and don’t rely on surrounding teeth for support. Feel free to contact us for any questions about dental implants.