Sleep apnea can seriously affect your health and well-being. Many people don’t realize that their dentist can help treat this condition. In addition to providing our patients with dental treatments to address and solve their dental concerns and problems, our office provides sleep apnea treatment.
Dr. Peter Auster offers treatment for sleep apnea in Pomona, NY for patients looking for an alternative solution to using a CPAP machine.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that affects millions of people. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the mouth partially or fully collapse. This constricts proper airflow from the lungs to the major organs in the body.
When this happens, patients can stop and start breathing during sleep repeatedly at night. Patients with sleep apnea often snore due to the collapsing of the soft tissue in the throat.
Sleep apnea can affect your quality of sleep and overall health if you do not treat it. Studies show patients with sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and depression.
What Are The Signs of Sleep Apnea?
The signs of sleep apnea vary from patient to patient. To determine if you have developed this sleep disorder, you will need to undergo a sleep study. During your sleep study, your specialist will assess you for signs of sleep apnea. If you are noticing one or more of these signs, you may want to consider scheduling a sleep study.
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Feeling restless throughout the day
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headaches, especially in the morning
- Dry mouth
Am I At Risk For Sleep Apnea?
Anyone is at risk for developing sleep apnea. However, these key factors can vastly increase your risk of sleep apnea.
- Being a male
- Having a large neck circumference
- Having high blood pressure
- Being diabetic
- Being overweight
- Having a narrowed throat or deviate septum
- Being a smoker and using tobacco
If you are at high risk for sleep apnea, talk with our team at Cosmetic Dentistry Associates. Our team can assess your risk for sleep apnea. As experienced dentists, we can work with you to find the solutions you need to address sleep apnea.
Depending on your needs, we may provide you with a home sleep test, or contact a local sleep center for further testing. Our goal is to give you a proper diagnosis and get you one step closer to a better quality of sleep. Visit our Pomona dentist office to learn more.
Treatment For Sleep Apnea in Pomona, NY
Cosmetic Dentists associates is a full service dental office in Pomona, NY. We offer a complete range of solutions for many common dental concerns. A first step is to complete this sleepiness worksheet which may identify your symptoms and risk factors for sleep apnea.
We offer several options for patients who we may suspect have sleep apnea. We can provide a home sleep test or refer you to a sleep specialist. Both of these avenues should be able to determine if you have sleep apnea.
Our team can fabricate custom oral appliance if you do not want to use a CPAP. A sleeping guard, similar to a mouthguard, is designed to reposition the jaw to prevent soft tissue from collapsing in the throat. Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is a discreet, convenient, and effective alternative for the CPAP machine.
To create your custom oral appliance, we will first take impressions of your mouth. Then we will send them to a dental lab for fabrication. Once they are ready, we will invite you back to our office to ensure your sleep appliance fit properly and comfortably in your mouth.
We will explain all aspects of your care and answer any questions you may have during your appointment. With a custom sleep guard, you can finally achieve better sleep and get one step closer to a healthier you.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Sleep apnea can impact your life, but treatment can help you sleep better and get more rest. We can provide you with an effective solution to help you find relief. Don’t hesitate to contact us and further questions about sleep apnea and the treatment we offer. Please read through the answer to the most frequently asked questions first.
How common is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is more common than many people think. It affects millions of adults in the United States. It’s more common in men, but women and children can also suffer from it. As people get older or gain weight, they’re more likely to develop sleep apnea. Even though it’s widespread, many people don’t know they have it because the symptoms happen while they’re asleep.
Can my dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
Dr. Auster cannot diagnose you if you have sleep apnea. However, he can spot the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. Teeth grinding and having a small jaw or a large tongue can indicate sleep apnea. Dr. Auster will refer you to a sleep specialist, where you will undergo a sleep study. If you do have sleep apnea, we can supply you with an oral sleep device to treat it.
What is an Oral Appliance?
An oral appliance looks like a mouthguard or retainer. You will wear this special mouthpiece at night to help with sleep apnea. It works by moving your jaw or tongue forward, which opens up your airway so you can breathe better while sleeping. We custom-create these devices for patients who are diagnosed with sleep apnea and do not want to use a CPAP machine.
Is a sleep guard comfortable?
Most people find their oral sleep appliance pretty comfortable. It may take you a few nights of regular wear to get used to it. When you first start wearing your nightguard, you may feel some pressure or have extra saliva. These side effects usually go away after a few nights. We will cusotm-create your appliance to fit your mouth, so it shouldn’t feel bulky or awkward. Most people report that they are more comfortable than a CPAP machine. If your nightguard is uncomfortable, contact us, and we will adjust it to make it more comfortable for you.
Can I use a nightguard instead of a CPAP machine?
In most cases, patients can use a nightguard instead of a CPAP machine. An oral sleep appliance works well for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. They are more comfortable and easier to use and travel with than a CPAP machine. If your sleep study findings reveal that you have severe sleep apnea, you may have to use a CPAP. This sleep apnea treatment is more effective in severe cases. Dr. Auster will review the findings from your sleep study to determine if you are able to use a nightguard instead of a CPAP.
Are there any side effects from wearing an oral sleep device?
Nightguards are usually safe, but some people might have side effects. You might feel a little discomfort at first while getting used to it. If your nightguard doesn’t fit well, it could cause jaw pain or sore gums. In rare cases, poorly fitted nightguards might change how your teeth line up. Some people might have allergic reactions to the materials. It’s vital to keep your nightguard clean to avoid bacteria buildup. If you have any problems, talk to your dentist.
Schedule An Appointment
If you are suffering from sleep apnea and would like to explore your treatment options, visit Cosmetic Dentistry Associates. To schedule an appointment, call (845) 241-0656 or request an appointment online.