Recent advancements in this field suggest that ensuring those who suffer from sleep apnea experience normal breathing patterns during sleep can significantly reduce risks posed by this common condition. With custom-designed orthotic appliances, such as the one pictured above, and other options, our doctors can help you breathe more easily and obtain a healthier, more peaceful night’s sleep.
What is Sleep Apnea?
During sleep, muscles in the mouth and throat relax and expand, ultimately causing air passages to narrow. Once the airway closes to a certain point, breaths can be missed – in some cases, an individual can experience a pause in breathing for as long as 10 seconds or more. This condition, sleep apnea, is also responsible for snoring. While snoring is typically the most noticeable symptom of sleep apnea, symptoms like breathing pauses may not be noticed at all. This is why it is very important for people who suffer from fatigue, headaches, restless sleep, and snoring to be evaluated for sleep apnea.
Health Risks from Sleep Apnea
Since many symptoms of sleep apnea cause your breathing to slow or even stop for extended periods of time, sleep apnea can have serious consequences to your health. Some of the risks of sleep apnea include:
- Gastric reflux disease
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Fatigue
- Mental impairment – loss of memory, reduced cognitive function
- Anxiety, mood swings, stress, depression
- Less motor control
- Stroke
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart attack
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
This field of dentistry offers many advanced options to keep a positive airflow through your breathing passages and reduce health risks caused by sleep apnea. Our dentists will give you a comprehensive evaluation at your initial consultation. After a sleep study has been performed and it is determined you are suffering from sleep apnea, a special orthotic appliance can be created that is designed to keep your airway open for normal breathing throughout the night and a restful night’s sleep. Cornerstone Dental works with accredited laboratories that are respected throughout the dental field for crafting the most precise, comfortable, and naturally-fitting orthotic appliances possible. These oral appliances can help you reduce snoring, improve your breathing, and reduce many risks to your health that can be caused by sleep apnea.
Contact Cornerstone Dental for More Information
If you would like more information on sleep apnea and the treatments we offer, please contact Cornerstone Dental today. A member of our team will be happy to speak with you.