If you or a loved one is grappling with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you understand the toll it can take on daily life—from fatigue to more severe health issues, it can limit your ability to live life to the fullest. At Lake Forest Smiles, we want you to know that there are effective, comfortable solutions to help you and your family enjoy restful nights and vibrant days.
The Dangers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the tongue and soft palate collapse into the throat during sleep, disrupting airflow and causing a series of apneic episodes.
These interruptions in breathing can happen without your awareness, leading to fragmented sleep and low oxygen levels. The consequences can be severe, contributing to chronic fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and a host of other health concerns.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Recognizing the symptoms of OSA is crucial. If you or a family member experiences any of the following, it’s time to consider a sleep apnea screening:
- Chronic fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth
- Chronic irritability
- Snoring
- Depression
- Difficulties with memory and concentration
- Unexplained weight gain
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Our dentists offer comprehensive screenings and airway evaluations to assess the risk of sleep disordered breathing, and our team can work with your sleep specialist to determine the best course of action.
Sleep Apnea Treatments at Lake Forest Smiles
When it comes to treatment, the options are as diverse as the families we serve. Lifestyle adjustments, weight management, and exercise contribute to overall sleep quality, but in many cases, more tailored approaches are necessary. Our dentists work with your sleep specialist to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral Appliance Therapy involves the use of specially designed devices worn in the mouth, similar to orthodontic retainers or sports mouthguards, with benefits outlined as follows:
Custom-Designed for Individual Needs
Oral appliances are custom-designed to fit the unique contours of your mouth, ensuring a comfortable fit during sleep.
Maintains Open Airway
The primary function of these appliances is to maintain an open and unobstructed airway, reducing the risk of snoring and sleep apnea.
Variety of FDA-Approved Options
With approximately 40 oral appliances FDA-approved for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, patients have a wide range of options.
Expert Selection and Fitting
Our dentists have extensive training in oral appliance therapy, allowing them to expertly select, design, and fit the appliance that best meets your specific needs.
MicrO2™ Sleep Apnea Appliances
Designed with your comfort in mind, MicrO2 provides an effective solution for snoring and sleep apnea, offering a range of benefits that set it apart from other devices.
- Comfortable Design: It is rapidly gaining popularity as a comfortable alternative for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, thanks to its user-friendly design.
- Ease of Use: This appliance combines the standard benefits of oral appliances, such as comfort and ease of use, with specific features designed for opening your airway without restricting jaw movement.
- Contoured Edges: The contoured edges are specifically designed to avoid irritation, ensuring a more comfortable fit throughout the night.
- Lower Profile: Its lower profile enhances jaw muscle comfort, significantly reducing the strain often associated with other sleep apnea devices.
- Increased Tongue Room: The appliance offers more space for the tongue, contributing to the overall comfort and fit of the device.
- Effective Airway Management: By holding your lower jaw forward, the lightweight appliance effectively opens your airway, enabling heavy-duty performance for a refreshing sleep.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Another condition we address is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS), a sleep-related breathing disorder that occurs when the soft tissue in your throat relaxes during sleep, hindering proper airflow. While it resembles OSA, UARS is less severe and falls somewhere between snoring and full-blown sleep apnea.
Symptoms of UARS
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome symptoms are similar to those of OSA but are generally less severe. Unlike sleep apnea, UARS doesn’t typically involve significant pauses or decreases in breathing.
Causes of UARS
UARS arises due to various factors including loose or relaxed fatty tissue in the throat that collapses, narrowed airways, and the tongue falling back and obstructing the throat. These factors make breathing more challenging during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns.
Diagnosis
If you exhibit UARS symptoms, a polysomnogram (sleep study) is typically conducted. During this test, various parameters are monitored, including brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and eye/leg movements. This helps assess the extent of sleep disruption and aids in determining the appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment
One common treatment to manage UARS is Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy, which involves wearing a special Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask while sleeping, and the machine gently blows air into your upper airway to keep it open and allowing regular breathing.
Oral appliances can also serve as effective treatments for UARS. These devices, worn during sleep, can prevent soft tissue collapse in the airway, serving as alternatives to PAP devices. Our experienced team at Lake Forest Smiles can guide you through the process of selecting the most suitable treatment option for your specific needs, ensuring a restful night’s sleep and improved overall health.
Don’t Ignore the Snore! Contact Us for Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you think you may have sleep apnea, contact our trained dentists at our Lake Forest office today. Your physical and mental health will thank you for it.