Alexandria, VA
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Sleep Apnea
For many patients, treating sleep apnea can improve their overall quality of life. The condition can be obtrusive and affect you in both your sleeping and waking hours. Sleep apnea may be treatable through dental care.
Solutions for sleep apnea are available at Alexandria Old Town Dental in Alexandria and the surrounding area. Maintaining your dental health can also benefit your sleep. To schedule a personal evaluation and get started with treatment, call
(703) 763-1078
to schedule an appointment and learn more.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping and breathing disorder in which breathing stops and starts periodically throughout a person's sleep. This can have a negative impact on their oxygen levels and result in lower quality sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Central sleep apnea (CSA), and Mixed sleep apnea, and various causes for each.
OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea, caused by a physical blockage of the airways in the throat, obstructing normal airflow. CSA results from the brain's muscle control system and the way in which breathing signals are sent to the throat and respiratory muscles. Mixed sleep apnea, also called complex sleep apnea, refers to a person who has both OSA and CSA.
Causes and Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can arise at any time in a person's life. Nonetheless, there are certain risk factors that may make a person more likely to develop the condition. Oral conditions that may cause sleep apnea are narrowed or constricted airways, chronic nasal congestion, Bruxism, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Other risk factors include excess weight, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, gender, genetics, and asthma.
Airways are often blocked or constricted due to a small jaw, tonsils that lie over the throat, a large tongue, or fat deposits in the back of the throat. Bruxism and TMJ both affect the jaw because of constant grinding and clenching, which can affect normal breathing. Alexandria Old Town Dental can properly examine a patient and determine whether they have sleep apnea, if it is caused by an oral condition, and the treatment needed for their specific case.
Recognizing Sleep Apnea
Some groups may be more at risk of developing sleep apnea than others. Age, for instance, increases one's chance of developing sleep apnea. The condition is also more common in younger men than in younger women. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor diet, may also contribute. Taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle may lessen an individual's risk of developing sleep apnea.
Being able to recognize the signs of sleep apnea is crucial. Patients should watch out for sore throat upon waking, excessive daytime sleeping, restless sleep, decreased libido, waking during the night, high blood pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Children may also exhibit different symptoms of sleep apnea than adults. These may include bedwetting, choking, drooling, excessive nighttime sweatiness, learning and behavior issues, and problems at school.
Managing Sleep Apnea
Luckily, there are many different ways to treat sleep apnea, including oral appliances. Patients who are good candidates for oral appliances must have impressions of their teeth and return for a fitting during a later appointment. It may be necessary for patients to have another sleep test while wearing the device to ensure its efficacy. Further office visits may be required to make adjustments. These devices are unobtrusive and easy to travel with, as they do not require any electricity.
Other options include continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines and surgery. These are more involved treatments that may benefit those with more severe cases of sleep apnea. Alexandria Old Town Dental can help patients determine which treatment is right for them.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
How Common Is Sleep Apnea?
According to the Sleep Foundation, "Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect between 2-9% of adults in the United States, but many cases are believed to go undiagnosed." Since a person may go a long period of time without realizing that they have sleep apnea, many cases are unaccounted for.
What Is The Success Rate Of Sleep Apnea Treatments?
Each case, treatment, and person is different. There could be two patients with the same type of sleep apnea, but who have entirely different results. For example, the success rate of most sleep apnea surgeries is 60%, while a CPAP machine may completely cure a person of their condition.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Sleep Apnea?
Going without treatment for a long period of time can have dire effects on the mind and body. Long-term effects of sleep apnea include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, heart attacks, and irregular heartbeat. It is important to seek immediate help and treatment when first experiencing symptoms.
What Are Possible Complications Of Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a life-threatening condition as oxygen is a pertinent component of overall health, affecting nearly every organ. Going without treatment can result in hypertension, heart disease, fatigue, migraines, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, and liver problems.