Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep.
Snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea.  Your spouse or roommate can tell you if you snore or you may wake up gasping for air.  

There are other signs of sleep apnea that occur when you’re awake.  Daytime symptoms include mouth breathing, poor concentration, decreased performance at school or work, and daytime drowsiness.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and other heart related health problems.

In addition, untreated sleep apnea can be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, as well as academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

Severe sleep apnea is treated by a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).  An air compressor and mask delivers pressurized air through the nose when a person is sleeping.  With this method, the biggest obstacle is compliance.  People feel claustrophobic and others find wearing the mask to be offensive.  The strap of the mask worn around the head may even cause headaches.  

Moderate sleep apnea can be treated using a much more comfortable alternative.  A customized night guard called the SomnoDent is created for your specific bite and actually positions your jaw in such a way that it opens up your airway.  This allows more oxygen to enter your body and prevents or minimizes symptoms of sleep apnea.

With the SomnoDent you’re not restricted to sleeping in only one position and you’re much more likely to use it, which is the main aspect of successful treatment. 

At Dream Smile Dental, we are sleep apnea dentists. Contact us for a consultation.