Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea, or suspect you may have a sleep disorder? Do you snore loudly or feel tired even after a full night's sleep? These could be signs of sleep apnea, a common but serious condition that can impact your overall health and well-being. At Optima Dental in Lawrenceville, GA, we offer comprehensive sleep apnea screenings and custom oral appliance therapy to help our patients experience restful, high-quality sleep!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, causing the soft tissues to collapse and block your airway. The pauses in breathing are called apneas and can last from a few seconds to more than a minute.
When breathing stops, the brain briefly wakes you up to signal your body to resume breathing. While you may not remember these awakenings, they disrupt your sleep cycle, keeping you from the deep, restorative sleep your body needs.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime tiredness
- Morning headaches
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
- Depression
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a range of serious health problems, including increased risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. If you are experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, our team recommends seeking treatment as soon as possible.
Sleep Apnea Treatment at Optima Dental
At Optima Dental, we believe in a holistic approach to your health. Our team is equipped to provide initial sleep apnea screenings to identify potential risks and guide you towards an appropriate diagnosis. When you visit our Lawrenceville dental office for a sleep apnea consultation, we'll ask about your sleep habits, medical history, and any symptoms you've been experiencing. Our team will examine the mouth, throat, and jaw to identify any anatomical factors that may contribute to sleep apnea. If our screening indicates a high probability of sleep apnea, we can refer you to a trusted sleep physician for a formal diagnosis, often through a sleep study.
If a sleep apnea diagnosis is confirmed, the team at Optima Dental can offer a comfortable, effective treatment option with custom oral appliance therapy.
Custom Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
For patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those looking for a more convenient, comfortable alternative to treatment from a CPAP machine, a custom-fitted oral appliance is a highly effective alternative. The oral appliances are designed to be worn in the mouth while you sleep, similar to a mouthguard or orthodontic retainer.
At Optima Dental, our custom oral appliances are designed to gently reposition your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open during sleep. This prevents the collapse of soft tissues that leads to apneas and snoring. Each appliance is custom-made for optimal comfort and highly effective treatment.
Patients who choose oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea experience benefits like:
- A non-invasive, comfortable alternative to CPAP treatment
- Portable, convenient treatment with an ultra-discreet nightguard
- Effective treatment that reduces or eliminates snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep
- More restful sleep and reduced daytime fatigue
Oral appliance therapy also helps mitigate the health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea, contributing to better overall health.
Reclaim Your Sleep Quality with Sleep Apnea Therapy
Don't let sleep apnea affect your quality of life or ability to rest. If you or a loved one is suffering from the symptoms and side effects of sleep apnea, contact Optima Dental today to schedule your sleep apnea screening. We are dedicated to helping you achieve healthier sleep and a healthier life!
