Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can leave you feeling tired and sleepy during the day. The condition leads to breathing coming to a stop during sleep, forcing your brain to wake up to restore breathing momentarily. People with the condition can have hundreds of these interruptions during sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by your airway being obstructed during sleep, restricting the flow of air. Some of the issues that can lead to this include the tongue falling back into the airway, poor jaw positioning obstructing the airway, and abnormal tissue growths.
Sleep apnea might seem like a minor health issue, but that could not be further from the truth. It has been linked to serious physical and mental issues like depression, strokes, and hypertension. The condition significantly limits the afflicted’s quality of life and their academic, athletic, and work performance.
Getting treatment for sleep apnea starts with a proper diagnosis being made. The patient’s airways, tongue, jaw, and teeth are carefully examined, looking for signs they might be obstructing the person’s breathing.
3D dental cone x-rays can also be used to search for signs of sleep apnea. Once the patient has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a dentist might recommend an oral appliance to help open up their airway during sleep.
Oral appliances are customized devices that sometimes look like mouthguards. They are made from an impression of the patient’s teeth, so they fit snuggly. They can be an effective alternative to continuous positive airflow pressure (CPAP) therapy for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
These devices are worn during sleep, and they help to keep the airway open. Wearing an oral appliance also helps to protect teeth against the effects of teeth grinding. The most common oral appliance used to address sleep apnea works by moving the wearer’s lower jaw forward and opening up their airway. Others work by preventing the tongue or other tissues from restricting the flow of air through the airways.
Some of the oral appliances a dentist can use to alleviate the effects of sleep apnea include:
These are the most commonly used appliance for sleep apnea, and it works by repositioning the patient’s jaw. It looks similar to a mouth guard worn during contact sports, and it snaps onto the lower and upper dental arches the same way.
Mandibular advancement devices come with metal hinges that push the lower jaw forward. Top-end devices allow patients – or their dentist – to control how much the device pushes the jaw forward.
As the name implies, these devices work as splints and hold on to the wearer’s tongue, preventing it from falling back into the airway.
An oral appliance can help you to alleviate the effects of obstructive sleep apnea, restoring your quality of life. Give us a call or visit our Torrance clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.yanasedds.com or call Yanase Dental Group at (310) 736-1063 for an appointment in our Torrance office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Sleep Apnea in Torrance, CA.
People of all ages can suffer from sleep apnea, but it is most common in adults over the age of 40. According to the National Sleep Foundation, over 18 million Americans suffer from this condition. In children, this is often caused by enlarged tonsils, which can obstruct a child's airway during sleep. In adults, males…
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes an individual to stop breathing for short periods of time throughout the night. While many people are affected by this sleep disorder on a daily basis, some individuals with this disorder have never received a diagnosis. However, this disorder can result in some serious consequences if…
Practicing preventive dentistry at home allows you to reap many benefits for your general health. Brushing and flossing every day is a basic way of keeping your mouth in good shape. Having healthy teeth and gums helps support your whole body’s health. If you want to find out why good everyday dental hygiene is important…
A preventive dentist can protect your mouth from different ailments. This dental care professional can perform treatments that can keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular visits can ward off serious dental problems later on. Here are the details about visiting a preventive dentist for good oral health.The main goal of this field is to…
For tooth loss, going to a prosthodontist is a good choice for finding the right solution. Living with missing teeth can have negative effects. One may struggle with oral health issues and cosmetic concerns. The good news is there are effective treatments to restore your smile and the function of your mouth. Prosthodontists have the…
Considering undergoing professional teeth whitening treatment services? Even though there are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products to choose from nowadays, these generic options are often hit and miss. It is often very difficult for someone to know which generic whitening option might work for them, making it both easier and safer to choose in-office treatment. Choosing…