Sleep Apnea Appliances
What Are Sleep Apnea Appliances?
Have you ever considered how your teeth and jaw alignment may be affecting your sleep?
If you notice that you are not getting a proper amount of rest at night, or if you feel as if you are quickly fatigued during the day, you may be experiencing problems that are related to sleep apnea. A common misperception is that sleep apnea mostly affects people with dietary concerns. The truth is that your oral alignment could be contributing to poor night’s rest.
If you have questions about sleep apnea, or if you want to find out more, please feel free to contact Dr. Karen Gordon Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at (954) 613-9837. We will provide you with more information, and we can screen you for potential problems with sleep apnea. In the event that we find a problem, we can suggest options to help you sleep more comfortably at night.
What Are the Benefits of Sleep Apnea Appliances?
It’s quite surprising, but many people who suffer from sleep apnea do not even realize it. They simply go through their day feeling fatigued and drained without really understanding why their bodies aren’t recharging at night. By visiting your dentist for a sleep apnea analysis, you can find out whether or not you are at risk for sleep apnea. If the event that you are experiencing problems, we may be able to provide you with an oral mandibular repositioning device, or MRD.
An MRD is used to help keep your jaw and tongue in place while you are sleeping. For those who suffer from sleep apnea, the problem is that their tongue or jaw may loosen up while they are sleeping. If this happens, it will limit the airflow that passes from the lungs to the brain. Once this occurs, your brain will not be able to fall into the deep stages of sleep, otherwise known as rapid-eye-movement sleep. As your body fails to fall into REM sleep cycles, you will never get the restful sleep that helps you wake refreshed and ready for the day.
Over time, those who have sleep apnea have been shown to have increased blood pressure levels, hypertension, and are even at risk for diabetes or stroke. It’s our goal to help you avoid these health scares.
With an MRD you will:
- Have better oral alignment while sleeping
- Get more restful sleep at night
- Avoid lasting health concerns that can alter your life.
What Is the Procedure for Getting a Sleep Apnea Appliance?
We recommend that you visit us to find out what sleep apnea treatments might be best for you. Each patient is different, and it could take trying a few different options to find the one that is best for you.
Your initial consultation should last roughly 30 minutes. During this time, we will talk to you about your sleep history. We will perform a few tests to see if you are at risk for sleep apnea. If you are, we discuss an expected time period for treatment.
If we decide that it is best to go with a mandibular repositioning device, we will fit you with a mold and then send this to a laboratory to have a permanent fitting made just for you. We offer some in-office options, which we may be able to provide you with during your initial visit.
Another option that we may consider includes using a CPAP machine. Dr. Gordon will discuss the benefits of a CPAP machine with you, and you can choose which option is going to be best for you.
What Are the Advantages of a Sleep Apnea Appliance?
If you do not remain aware of your sleeping patterns, you could be putting yourself at serious risk for a variety of health problems. But with just one visit to the dentist, you can work to improve your way of living. We will assist you with determining the best sleep apnea appliances for you, depending on the health problems that you are having.
Even if you have yet to experience any health problems, those who have sleep apnea know what it feels like to feel completely exhausted each day. Imagine feeling more energetic and refreshed each day. That is what we will try to help you achieve.
Disadvantages?
Some people claim that MRDs can be a bit uncomfortable. Because they put the jaw into a certain position, some clients claim that their jaw will get sore during the first few nights. However, the good news is that your jaw will get used to the positioning in time, and you’ll feel completely normal with an MRD in your mouth.
Are Sleep Apnea Appliances Right for You?
If you notice that you are not getting the type of sleep that you need, then please give Karen Gordon Family and Cosmetic Dentistry a call today at (954) 613-9837. You shouldn’t have to go through life feeling exhausted and fatigue, and we want to help you fix the problems that you are experiencing.
