As many as 18 million adults suffer from sleep apnea, which is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder. Treatment traditionally requires the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which can be most uncomfortable. Danny Shiri, DDS, with an office in Carthay, Los Angeles, may be able to improve your sleep apnea with a simple dental appliance that may replace your CPAP machine. To learn more about the sleep apnea dental appliance, call the office, or request an appointment online.
Sleep apnea is a scary sleep disorder in which your breathing abruptly stops and starts as you sleep. There are two primary types of sleep apnea, including:
With obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles in your throat relax, which obstructs the airway passage. This is the most common type of sleep apnea.
With central sleep apnea, your brain isn’t sending the right messages to the muscles that control your breathing, which results in frequent stops and starts.
You can also suffer from both obstructive and central sleep apnea, which is a condition referred to as complex sleep apnea syndrome.
Snoring, waking up with a dry mouth, and feeling fatigued throughout the day are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea.
A sleep study, which should be arranged by your primary health care provider, is usually required to diagnose sleep apnea. During the sleep study, you’re observed sleeping in a special lab equipped with machines that monitor your breathing while you sleep.
Treatment for your sleep apnea may depend on the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to improve your breathing while you sleep by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, or using an allergy medication.
If your sleep apnea is moderate-to-severe, your doctor may suggest the CPAP machine, which requires that you wear a mask over your nose to deliver air into your lungs. Unfortunately, many people find the CPAP machine cumbersome and may have a difficult time sleeping while they wear it.
Dr. Shiri offers oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. These devices help keep your throat open while you sleep, so there are no disruptions in your breathing. It also alleviates excessive snoring.
Dr. Shiri determines if you’re a good candidate for a dental sleep apnea appliance during a consultation. The best treatment for your sleep apnea depends on the severity of your condition, the structure of your upper airway, and your medical history.
If Dr. Shiri determines that you would benefit from the dental appliance for sleep apnea, he may have you return to the office frequently to monitor your response to the device.
The CPAP machine isn’t your only option for treating of sleep apnea. To learn about your dental options, call Danny Shiri, DDS, or request an appointment online.
