Our Dental Office Offers Sleep Apnea Treatment Nesconset, NY
The CPAP machine is the go-to treatment for a sleep disorder we call Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This machine is often inconvenient and unpleasant for some patients. If you have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are other options available besides this bedside machine.
Dr. John Caesar is a dentist in Nesconset, NY that provides patients with oral appliance therapy who are suffering from sleep apnea. Visit Bella Smiles at Nesconset for the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea issues. An oral appliance is a mouthpiece that you wear while sleeping to help keep the airway open. In addition to treating sleep apnea, Bella Smiles provides dental services in Long Island, NY.
Learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we offer below.
Sleep Apnea Overview
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people. Patients with this disorder have episodes where they stop breathing while they are asleep. When the throat and tongue muscles relax, the soft tissues in the back of the throat block the airway.
The patient will eventually wake up briefly and begin breathing again. These episodes can happen many times during sleep without the person even knowing. Even though the patients think they are getting a full night’s rest, they will wake up exhausted.
Signs and Symptoms of OSA
There are so many patients who have sleep apnea and may not even realize it. Sometimes the only sign that something may be wrong is if you are very sleepy during the day despite a full night of rest. Additionally, consistent nightly snoring is a typical sign. However, many people snore and do not have a sleep disorder. Common sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Feeling overly tired during the day
- Trouble focusing on tasks
- Feeling unusually irritable
- Waking up at night to use the restroom
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking up
- Frequent headaches
- Frequent heartburn
Furthermore, your partner may notice you do these things while you are sleeping:
- Stop breathing
- Gasp for air
- Snore loudly
Why You Should Not Ignore Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be detrimental to your health and quality of life. Since most people who have untreated sleep apnea are extremely tired during waking hours, they are at risk for many negative things happening to them. This includes getting into car accidents, not performing well at their job or in school, and suffering from depression. Furthermore, they are at risk for developing many health problems including stroke, heart problems, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Nesconset, NY
Our Nesconset, NY dentist office offers oral sleep appliances for patients who suffer from mild to moderate sleep apnea. The device is similar to a mouthguard and you will wear it when you are sleeping. The oral sleep device will push the lower jaw forward and hold it in this position all night. In doing this, it prevents the soft tissues from blocking the airway.
The sleep device is fairly easy to make. We will take impressions of your teeth and send the molds of your teeth to a dental laboratory. Here, they will fabricate your device so that it fits snugly in your mouth. It should take less than a month to make and at that time, we’ll try the device on you to ensure proper fit.
This sleep apnea treatment is easier to use and has a higher patient compliance rate. It is small, easy to travel with, and you will not have to attach yourself to a machine all night long.
Schedule an Oral Sleep Appliance Consultation Today
Dr. John Caesar is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and helps patients weigh the pros and cons of sleep apnea treatment options. Schedule a consultation with him today to learn more about oral appliance therapy. Call our Nesconset, NY dental office or request an appointment by filling out our online form today.