What is Sleep Apnea?

People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels. When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway and air flow stops. When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears and the flow of air starts again, usually with a loud gasp.

Repeated cycles of decreased oxygenation lead to very serious cardiovascular problems. Additionally, these individuals suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, and loss of concentration. Evaluation of a patient starts with the patient filling out our sleep questionnaire, a thorough medical and dental history of symptoms, and a sleep study if the dentist is orders one.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• Loud, chronic snoring and long pauses in breath
• Choking or gasping while sleeping
• Feeling tired and sleepy throughout the day
• Waking up with a headache, dry mouth or sore throat
• Insomnia or constantly waking during the night
• Forgetfulness, irritability or depression

Treatment Options

In most cases, the dental office is the place where sleep apnea symptoms start to become discussed. If your dentist orders a sleep apnea test, then our office can get that started for you. It is a fairly simple test that requires you to place a monitor on your forehead during sleep to record your oxygen level, your sleep patterns, your snoring, and a host of other factors. After completing the sleep test, the information collected is forwarded to a sleep physician for interpretation. Based upon the sleep physicians report, a treatment option can then be determined.  In some cases, sleep apnea can be treated with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This machine is something that can be ordered by your primary care doctor. But alternatively, a dentist can fabricate an oral device that will treat moderate and mild cases of sleep apnea as well.

We offer Sleep Apnea Devices called MADs (Mandibular Advancement Device).

        MAD device – A constricted or collapsed airway causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MAD devices are FDA approved and are designed to keep the airway open and allow for air to pass. It holds the lower jaw in the forward position so that it does not fall open during the night and cause the airway to collapse. Your dentist will help determine the correct MAD device for you.

In more complex cases, surgery may be an option

If it is determined from your sleep apnea test that you do not suffer from sleep apnea, but snoring, a Silent Nite can be fabricated for you.

• Silent Nite is flexible, thin and comfortable, and it exhibits documented clinical success in mitigating or even preventing the disruptive, unhealthy effects of snoring. It moves the lower jaw into a forward position, increasing space in the airway tube and reducing air velocity and soft tissue vibration. The connectors are easily interchangeable by the patient. The Silent Nite appliance is not FDA approved for documented sleep apnea.

Your Health and Quality of Life

Treating obstructive sleep apnea is incredibly important to your health. When left untreated, sleep apnea often causes excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue, as well as morning headaches and memory loss. Sleep apnea also is a threat to your safety as it increases your risk of drowsy driving and workplace accidents. Untreated sleep apnea raises your risk for serious health problems.

If you suspect that you or your sleeping partner may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, we invite you to contact our office today to schedule a consultation with our experienced, caring team. We look forward to helping you discover a sleep apnea solution that best suits your unique needs. Finally enjoy the restful, peaceful sleep you need and deserve with our state-of-the-art sleep apnea technology. Our warm, welcoming office is privileged to serve the comprehensive oral healthcare needs of families from throughout Richmond, VA and the surrounding areas.

Sleep Apnea Questionnaire

Based on the score of this questionnaire, our dentists will determine a patient’s probability of suffering from sleep related disturbances, and can suggest a home sleep study to confirm or rule out disturbances. Based on the results of the study our team and tailor a custom treatment plan to treat sleep apnea.