About 22% of Americans live with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts sleep quality. This often leads to severe health complications such as hypertension and heart disease. Sleep apnea can also result in regular daytime fatigue, impacting your quality of life before these more serious complications onset. Despite its seriousness, many individuals remain undiagnosed and untreated. Luckily, the dental care team at Dee for Dentist has the solution you need.
There’s no need to worry if your dentist diagnoses you with sleep apnea, as relief is simple. Wearing a custom-fitted oral sleep appliance, such as OptiSleep®, could limit your restless nights. Understanding sleep apnea’s causes, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for both sufferers and their loved ones. We encourage you to reach out to us at your convenience to learn more about your treatment options with our dentists in Las Vegas.
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What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a severe sleeping disorder that disrupts your airways, leading to an involuntary pause in breathing. This frequently occurs throughout the night, leading to restless slumbers.
Who Is at Risk of Sleep Apnea?
OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea, and it can affect those of all ages. However, there are a handful of risk factors that can increase your likelihood. Such factors include the following:
- Obesity
- Above-average sized tonsils
- Certain facial configurations, such as a small bottom jaw
- Age
- Lifestyle habits, such as drinking and smoking
- Narrow airways
- High blood pressure
- Heart or kidney failure
- Opioid use
- Premature birth
- Thick neck
If you are at an increased risk of sleep apnea or are concerned that you may have OSA, we are here for you at Dee for Dentist. We can help you in many ways, including scheduling a consultation to discuss your options for sleep apnea treatment in Las Vegas, walk through certain risk factors, and other points impacting your eligibility for care. You are not alone in this journey.
OSA Symptoms
Sleep apnea, in general, has many tell-tale signs. Even for those living alone, you’ll likely notice symptoms soon after onset. The symptoms typically include the following:
- Snoring
- Interrupted Sleep
- Restless sleep
- Daytime tiredness
- Morning headaches
- Irritability and other mood changes
- Difficulty focusing
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Issues with memory and concentration
- Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction
- Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight increase
Even if you are aware of the potential symptoms, realizing your condition on your own can be difficult. Many individuals don’t notice that there is something wrong or that they might have sleep apnea. Eventually, obstructive sleep apnea symptoms can become more serious. For some, cases can profoundly impact their health. Therefore, it’s best to see your doctor as soon as you suspect a problem.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment
At Dee for Dentist, we take a structured approach to identifying and managing obstructive sleep apnea. Our process begins by identifying symptoms and risk factors during your initial exam or consultation. If we detect signs of OSA, we then conduct a CBCT scan to measure your airway and evaluate potential obstructions.
Should the scan indicate a risk for sleep apnea, we’ll provide you with a take-home sleep study. The study results are reviewed by a sleep medicine physician who diagnoses the condition and prescribes appropriate treatment if necessary. If an oral sleep appliance is recommended, we proceed with a digital scan using the Primescan system during your next visit. This scan, combined with the CBCT data, helps us determine the precise positioning for your customized appliance.
The scans are then sent to Somnomed to fabricate the device. At the final appointment, we fit and deliver the appliance, ensuring it’s both comfortable and effective. The Somnomed appliance is designed as a two-piece solution that allows for ease of use, letting you drink and talk while wearing it. You’ll wear the device nightly, as it keeps your lower jaw in a forward position, preventing airway collapse and improving your sleep quality.
However, custom sleep appliances are not the only option to improve your quality of life. There are also additional behavioral modifications and treatment options that can enhance your well-being, such as the following:
- Surgical therapy, such as
- Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) to move upper and lower jaw bones and increase airway space
- Turbinate reduction to decrease airway resistance
- Regular physical activity
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
- Improving sleep hygiene by staying off your phone before and after bed
- Limiting alcohol and caffeine use
- Quitting smoking
- Side sleeping
- CPAP machine
Many additional options, both surgical and non-surgical, exist to treat obstructive sleep apnea. If you have any questions about the options available to you, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dee for Dentist. We can schedule a consultation and discuss what sleep apnea treatments in Las Vegas are the most vital fit for you and your lifestyle. There is always a way forward.
