Relief From Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Transform Your Life with Better Sleep
Chronic fatigue? Suffering from sleep-disordered breathing? You can get your restful night’s sleep back with custom-made sleep apnea device.
Wake Up Feeling Rested Again!
Get Better Sleep at Night with Custom Sleep Apnea Device
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Tufa can help by designing custom-fitted oral appliance to treat the snoring and the sleep disordered breathing safely and effectively giving you the sleep you need to lead a healthy life. This sleep apnea device is similar in shape to a mouth guard or retainer. It is designed to open your airway by gently sliding your lower jaw forward, which helps alleviate the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and allows you to breathe more easily.
What is Sleep Apnea and What Are its Symptoms?
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which the breathing intermittently stops and resumes during sleep. It is marked with loud snoring and episodes of air deprivation for the patient which contribute to fragmented, poor quality sleep.
Sleep apnea can be central or obstructive. Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and results when the upper airway muscles relax and collapse, thus interfering with the airflow.
While primary snoring is usually symptom free, the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea may include intermittent snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, headaches, poor memory and clouded intellect, anxiety and depression, gastric reflux, high blood pressure and more.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Video
An overview of obstructive sleep apnea and the serious and dangerous complications to your overall health that can result if it is left untreated.
Can a Dentist Detect Sleep Apnea?
A lot of patients that suffer from sleep disturbed breathing may be unaware of this condition, and sometimes a bed partner or your dentist may be the first to notice clues that point to the condition. These include clenching and grinding, large and scalloped tongue, small and retruded lower jaw, signs of acid reflux, etc. Your dentist will take into consideration the xray and clinical findings as well as medical history to establish a definitive diagnosis.
At Acton Smile Hub, we practice airway centered dentistry - every patient is screened for sleep apnea signs and symptoms and our treatment options focus on how they may impact breathing at night and sleeping well.
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed and Treated?
Sleep-disordered breathing, including sleep apnea is best diagnosed with an overnight sleep study called polysomnography or PSG.
Treatment may include behavioral modification, such as losing weight and quitting smoking, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral appliances and oral surgery.
CPAP machines deliver air through a mask worn during sleep and are indicated for treatment of moderate to severe sleep apnea cases, but most patients find it cumbersome and uncomfortable to use.
Can a Dentist Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Dentists can treat the symptoms of sleep apnea by fabricating custom, oral appliances that fit like a sports guard or an orthodontic retainer and are designed to keep the airway open during sleep by bringing the mandible forward.
The appliances, also known as mandibular advancement devices, have several advantages: they are easy to wear and to care for, they are quiet, portable and convenient for travel.
Most patients that use a CPAP consistently, will opt to have an oral appliance as well for travel and vacation.
Treating sleep apnea promotes a healthier body and mind. Please contact us and we will discuss different treatment options that can help you. Click on the videos from Spear Education to learn more and see an example of how a mandibular advancement device is used in the treatment of these conditions.
Sleep Appliance Video
See how a mandibular advancement device is used in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Ready to Breathe Easier and Sleep Better at Night?
Get in touch with us if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.