SLEEP APNEA

Patients enjoy a success rate of over 90%

Did you know that nearly 12 million people in America are affected by sleep apnea? You may be one of them if you are drowsy during the day with no explanation, snore loudly, or wake up breathless in the middle of the night.

Sleep apena is a condition in which your breathing stops periodically during sleep, sometimes as as much as once a minute, and an apena can last longer than 60 seconds. Each time you stop breathing in your sleep, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents you from achieving deep sleep, resulting in a constant drowsy feeling during the day, lack of energy, depression and weight gain.

Obstructive sleep apnea

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in males than females, and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children.

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Patient Experiencing Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Sleep Apnea Signs and Symptoms

The tricky thing about sleep apnea is that you may not even know you have it, as the time spent awake to re-start breathing is very brief. If you notice any of the following symptoms of sleep apnea, be sure to contact our Pennington, NJ dental office to schedule an appointment.

• Drowsiness throughout the day
• Awakening to use the bathroom
• Difficulty losing weight
• Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Loud snoring
• Waking up at night short of breath
• Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
• Headaches upon waking in the morning

Why a Dentist?

A dentist is the only medical professional who can adequately fabricate, fit and service an oral appliance.

Why do we snore?

When our airway is partially obstructed, we snore. As we draw a breath, the obstruction causes the air to rush in faster and the surrounding tissues to vibrate, which creates the classic snoring sound.

What happens when the airway is totally obstructed?

When the airway is totally obstructed, we stop breathing. When we stop breathing, our blood oxygen levels drop, our heart speeds up, and our blood pressure increases. Think of running your car engine with no oil. Bad things happen.

Sleep apnea indicates an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, to name a few.

If our heart is healthy enough, we suddenly wake up, gasping for breath. Once we breathe, our heart rate drops and our blood oxygen goes up; and we fall back asleep until the next time our tongue blocks our airway and the whole process starts again. Because this can happen many times a night, sleep apnea wreaks havoc on our organs and prevents us from getting restful sleep, which our body need to replenish itself.

If our heart is not healthy enough, it may stall out during one of these stressful apnea episodes, and we may never wake up.

How do I know if I have obstructive sleep apnea?

There is a simple home test you can take in the comfort of your own bed. The other option is to spend a night in a sleep lab, which may be inconvenient and uncomfortable.

What can be done to treat sleep apnea?

There are 3 main treatments for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

1. Surgery to enlarge the airway
2. CPAP (continuous positive air pressure), which forces the airway to remain open
3. Oral appliance (mouthpiece)

What are the benefits of an oral appliance?

Oral appliances are the most conservative, least invasive and most comfortable way to treat sleep apnea.

The main problem with surgery is that it doesn’t address the tongue, the major factor in blocking the airway. Surgery has also proven to be painful and invasive, and only a 50% success rate.

A CPAP machine includes a face mask that holds itself in place with straps and connects by hose to a noisy bedside machine that forces air down your throat. Major complaints include air leaks, strap marks left on the face, limited mobility during sleep, and difficulty cleaning and traveling with the machine.

How does an oral appliance work?

The oral appliance gently pulls the lower jaw forward, thereby moving the tongue out of the airway.

Why is the Zyppah appliance better that traditional appliances?

The Zyppah appliance uses elastics to pull the lower jaw forward so that the jaw can move freely during the night. All other appliances lock the jaw in place, which make it less comfortable and more likely to cause jaw pain.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Pennington, NJ

For mild to moderate sleep apnea, the dentist at Pennington Dental Associates may suggest using a simple dental sleep device to shift the jaw forward to open and maintain the airway. We have found this treatment to be very effective, with a success rate of 80%-85%. For severe sleep apnea, you may need to use a CPAP device, which uses positive air pressure to keep your airway open.

During your consultation with the doctors at our Pennington dental office, you will learn about the type of sleep apnea you have, its severity, and what treatment options will best alleviate your symptoms.

Getting Started with Treatment

Getting started is as easy as contacting our Pennington, NJ dental practice today. We can refer you to a local sleep apnea medical specialist or work closely with your referring physician to ensure the treatment is successful. A good night’s sleep is the key to good health and a productive day. Let us help you achieve this today!

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