Sleep Apnea Treatment in Sterling Heights, MI

According to the American Medical Association, about 30 million Americans struggle with sleep apnea. That is a troubling statistic, considering the condition can significantly impact your overall health and quality of life. Characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, sleep apnea restricts the amount of oxygen that reaches your brain. As a result, people with undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea often experience serious health issues as a result of the disorder. While CPAP machines are widely used to improve breathing, they aren’t suitable for all individuals. If you’re looking for an alternative sleep apnea treatment, our team at St. Apollonia Dental can help. With a custom oral appliance, you can breathe easily once again.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

The word “apnea” is Greek for “breathless.” Individuals with sleep apnea stop breathing when they sleep. In fact, some people wake up hundreds of times during the night. These “apneas” (or breathing pauses) occur when the airway becomes blocked. For those with central sleep apnea, the brain fails to send the proper signals to regulate breathing. With obstructive sleep apnea—the more common type—the throat muscles relax so much that soft tissues collapse inward, narrowing or completely blocking the airway.

When the airway is blocked, you stop breathing. Your body responds by waking you up to restart your breathing. While this reaction is life-saving, it seriously impacts your sleep quality and can lead to several additional health issues. When left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, depression, cognitive impairments, and other medical problems.

Risk Factors

You may already know you have sleep apnea, or you may be wondering if you do. Below are the common risk factors for sleep apnea to help you identify if you might be at risk:

• Obesity: Excess weight can increase the risk of airway obstruction.
• Older age: Sleep apnea is more common among middle-aged and older adults but can affect anyone.
• Gender: Men are two to three times more likely to experience sleep apnea than women.
• Genetics: Individuals with a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to develop the condition.
• Anatomy: Physical features like a narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, a small jaw, or a large tongue can contribute to airway obstruction during sleep.
• Alcohol and sedative use: These substances can relax the throat muscles, aggravating sleep apnea.
• Smoking: An increase in inflammation and fluid retention due to smoking can block the airway.

In addition, certain medical conditions are also associated with a higher risk of sleep apnea. These include heart and lung diseases, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome, among others.

Signs You Need Sleep Apnea Treatment

A majority of individuals with sleep apnea do not even realize that they have the condition, as it can be challenging to self-identify. Often, a bed partner is the first to notice disrupted breathing patterns.

Signs and symptoms that you or a bed partner may observe during the night are:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air, choking, or snorting
• Restless sleep, characterized by tossing, turning, or kicking

Additionally, if you are struggling with sleep apnea, you may experience the following daytime symptoms:

• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Excessive sleepiness
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Irritability

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

It can be distressing knowing that your breathing repeatedly stops as you sleep. Fortunately, there are treatment options to help you resume normal breathing.

Airway Pressure Devices

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) devices are often used to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. These machines provide a continuous stream of air that keeps the airway open. This system includes a machine, a mask, and a tube that connects them. The mask covers the individual’s mouth, nose, or both. While effective, many find these systems to be cumbersome and uncomfortable. They also require consistent and meticulous cleaning and maintenance to remain effective and hygienic.

Oral Appliances

Sleep apnea oral appliances are an effective CPAP alternative. They are ideal for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea or individuals with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine. These custom-made mouthpieces keep your airway open by bringing the tongue or jaw forward. This repositioning allows for normal breathing and prevents snoring and other symptoms.

Oral appliances are a preferred sleep apnea treatment for many patients due to their unique benefits. Because they use a mouthpiece customized to the patient’s mouth instead of a mask, they are much more comfortable. They’re also more convenient than CPAP machines since the product is just one small piece. This makes them more travel-friendly and easier to clean.

Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are silent and don’t require a power source. These benefits enhance convenience and enable better sleep for the user and their bed partner.

Given the ease of use, patient compliance is higher with oral appliance treatment.

Getting a Custom Oral Appliance

A dentist prescribes an oral appliance for sleep apnea. When you visit St. Apollonia Dental for your treatment, we will first discuss and evaluate your needs. We’ll then take impressions of your mouth so that dental lab technicians can create your customized oral appliance.

Once your appliance is ready, we’ll evaluate the fit and make any necessary adjustments. We’ll also instruct you on how to properly wear and clean your appliance.

At your routine dental visits, we will check in with you to evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment and assess the condition of your oral appliance. These visits help us monitor your progress and make sure your treatment remains aligned with your health needs.

Experience Better Sleep With Sleep Apnea Treatment

A good night’s sleep helps you focus and feel alert during the day, but consistent high-quality sleep is essential for your long-term health and quality of life. If you have sleep apnea, your sleep is frequently disrupted, preventing you from receiving adequate oxygen. Over time, this has compounding effects on your health. If you are ready to experience better sleep, St. Apollonia Dental offers effective sleep apnea treatment. With convenient oral appliances, we can help you breathe easier so you wake up feeling refreshed. Don’t wait one more day to get your health back on track. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions