How a dentist in Beverly Hills, California can help with obstructive sleep apnea
Do you find yourself drowsy during the day without explanation? Does your sleeping partner report that you are snoring loudly or gasping for air during the night? Are you struggling with increased anxiety and depression or the inability to think clearly while managing everyday tasks? If this sounds like you and you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may be one of the millions of Americans who are diagnosed with a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Beverly Hills, CA dentist explains obstructive sleep apnea
Drs. Frank Vidjak and Fanny Yacaman of Beverly Hills Advanced Specialties of Dentistry explain obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, as a certain sleeping disorder that is characterized by a blockage in the airway when patients sleep. This blocking can occur hundreds of times in one night and is the reason why patients with OSA often struggle with daytime fatigue. Instead of getting the deep sleep they need to feel refreshed each day, they are having difficulty maintaining this deep sleep due to blockages. Blocking may be caused by:
- Poor jaw alignment
- Excess fat on the neck area
- The tongue falling back into the throat
How do I know if I have obstructive sleep apnea?
If you are showing the signs of this condition and are interested in getting a definitive diagnosis, patients are urged to visit their primary physician to get a referral for a sleep study. Some sleep studies are done at the patient’s home, while others are done in a sleep clinic overnight. Machines and professionals will monitor the patient’s sleep to determine if they have the condition, and many providers will recommend the use of a CPAP machine. However, this large, cumbersome device is rarely used as it can be uncomfortable for patients.
What can a dentist do for obstructive sleep apnea?
The team at Beverly Hills Advanced Specialties of Dentistry offers an oral appliance for snoring and sleep apnea patients. This oral appliance helps in aligning the jaw and opening the airways for a good night’s rest. Many patients find the oral appliance easier to use and comply with than the CPAP machine.
Interested in learning more?
Call (310) 878-6455 to book a consultation visit with our team and discuss the advantages of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea: A noisy and dangerous disorder. What can you do to fix it?
Do you snore excessively? Do you suffer from day time fatigue? Do you wake during the night with shortness of breath? You may suffer from the life threatening sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. About 1 in every 15 Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and it is a problem that many don’t even realize that they might have.
But what does this have to do with dentistry? Because sleep apnea is caused by an airway obstruction, the disorder can be treated through the Thornton Adjustable Positioner or the TAP appliance is one of the more popular ways to treat sleep apnea. When the jaw bone is lax the tongue and soft tissue obstruct the air way the TAP appliance advances the jaw bone allowing the air to flow freely and making sleep more restful throughout the night. If you think you might suffer from sleep apnea, talk to your dentist today about possible treatment options.
Frequently asked questions
What is obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA?
It is a specific sleeping condition defined by an obstruction in the airway when patients sleep. This blockage can occur hundreds of times in a single night, which is why individuals with OSA frequently experience daytime fatigue. Instead of obtaining the deep sleep they require to feel rejuvenated each day, they cannot sustain this deep sleep owing to blockages.
What causes these blockages, which result in OSA?
Poor jaw alignment, extra fat on the neck, and the tongue slipping back into the throat can all create blockages.
What are the most common symptoms of sleep apnea?
Frequent sleep interruptions, persistent weariness, morning headaches, and elevated blood pressure.
How can I determine whether I have OSA?
If you have symptoms of this disorder and want to acquire a solid diagnosis, patients should see their primary care physician and request a referral for a sleep study. Some sleep tests are performed at the patient’s home, while others are performed overnight in a sleep clinic. To assess if the patient has the issue, machines and specialists will monitor their sleep.
Is there a viable treatment for OSA?
An oral appliance is custom-made for you. It will not be uncomfortable and will help you to get enough slumber. As a result, it has higher patient compliance than other typical sleep apnea therapy devices, such as a CPAP machine.