Sleep Apnea Treatment in [GEOID_STATE]

Sleep Apnea

Does your partner complain about your loud snoring and worry about the choking sounds that you make? Don’t ignore them; you may have a sleep disorder and you should see your doctor or a sleep doctor. Once treated, the morning headaches will stop and you will not feel so tired during the day.

Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) a Type of Sleep Apnea?

OSA is a sleep disorder that occurs when your soft palate collapses and your tongue falls back, blocking your airway and triggering gasping noises when you wake up to get oxygen. OSA is one particular type of sleep apnea. You may not fully wake up when you can’t breathe; therefore, you may not realize that you are sleep deprived.

What Are the Signs of OSA?

Sleep apnea symptoms to watch for include:

• Trouble concentrating
• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Loud snoring
• Becoming irritated easily

Your dentist may notice signs, such as dry mouth, as well. Should you present signs, your dentist will refer you to a physician for a sleep study so you can get help for sleep apnea in [GEOID]. The sleep study will determine if you have mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea by counting the apnea events each hour. During each apnea event, you can stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer.

What Is the Primary Cause of OSA?

The primary predisposing factor for OSA is being overweight. Although there are other sleep apnea causes, losing weight will significantly reduce your OSA symptoms. It is important to seek treatment while losing weight; when you struggle for air at night, you raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of having a stroke.

Other factors that put a person at risk for obstructive apnea include:

• Using sedatives
• Drinking alcohol excessively
• A family history of OSA

What Types of Sleep Apnea Treatment Are Available?

One treatment option for OSA is using a CPAP machine, which keeps air flowing through a mask that you wear at night. Some people find the mask uncomfortable or inconvenient, especially if they travel frequently.

A sleep apnea mouth guard is a convenient alternative to a CPAP machine or surgery, which is another option reserved as a last resort if no other treatment is effective. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea in [GEOID], contact our dental office to learn more about how a custom oral appliance may improve your sleep quality.

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

Is an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Effective?

An custom-made oral appliance is a repositioning device that can prevent the collapse of your tongue and soft palate. It resembles a retainer, and since it is made from a mold of your teeth, it is easy to get used to wearing one.

What Does a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Cost?

Your cost depends on the type of oral appliance that your dentist suggests and if you have medical insurance coverage that will cover all or part of the cost. Please call us to learn more about the cost for an oral appliance for sleep apnea in [GEOID].

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?

Oral appliance therapy involves you wearing your appliance and possibly having it adjusted for maximum results. Some people feel a dramatic difference in how refreshed they feel in just one day. You’ll have another sleep study done to verify that the oral appliance is helping.

Will My Medical Insurance Cover an Oral Appliance?

While coverage varies widely, many insurance companies will cover oral appliances. The medical conditions linked to high blood pressure and oxygen deprivation, which are very expensive to treat, make paying for an oral appliance worthwhile to insurers.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in [GEOID]

Sleep Apnea

We treat obstructive sleep apnea in [GEOID], the most common type of this sleep disorder. People with OSA have the soft tissues in the back of their throat collapse, causing breathing to stop for 10 seconds or more at a time. Someone with OSA may have his or her tongue fall backwards when lying on his or her back as well. A person will wake up with a gasp as their brain tells them to wake up and breathe, but many individuals are only awake for a second and they do not remember the incident.

What Do I Need to Know about Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA is a serious medical problem, which can lead to high blood pressure and other serious medical problems if it is not treated. Moderate or severe OSA nearly triples a man’s risk of having a stroke.

How Would I Know if I Have OSA?

Sleep apnea symptoms are symptoms of sleep deprivation. If you have any of these symptoms after you get what you believe is a good night’s sleep, you may have OSA:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Decreased libido
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headache
• Easily irritated
• Loud snoring

Go to your primary care provider if you believe that you may have OSA. He or she will send you to a sleep lab, where a technician will monitor you while you sleep. The number of apnea events you have each hour will determine if you have mild, moderate or severe OSA.

What Causes OSA?

Sleep apnea causes include:

• Being male
• Having a thick tongue
• Being over 40
• Being overweight with a thick neck
• Using sedatives
• Having a family history of OSA

How is Sleep Apnea in [GEOID] Treated?

The sleep apnea treatment your doctor recommends will depend on whether you gave mild, moderate or severe SOA. An oral appliance from a dentist or lifestyle changes, such as dieting, may be enough to stop the symptoms of mild to moderate OSA. For moderate or severe OSA, your doctor may suggest a CPAP machine. Since compliance is low with CPAP machine machine because people don’t like the mask, your doctor may recommend both the machine and an oral appliance. Surgery is a last resort.

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

What is an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

An oral appliance is similar to a retainer, except its function is to keep your airway open. A sleep apnea mouth guard will move the lower jaw forward slightly, keep the tongue from falling backwards or perform both of these tasks simultaneously. There are different brands of oral appliances; each one looks different.

How Much Does a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Cost?

There are several types of mouthpieces, you would have to call our office and request a consultation with our dentist, who would be able to tell you the price for your custom mouthpiece.

What are the Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy Treatment (OAT)?

Compared to using a CPAP machine with a mask, OAT has a better compliance rate. The mask can make some individuals feel claustrophobic. A custom oral appliance does not usually bother people because it is made from a mold of their teeth. Call our office to learn more about the benefits of an oral appliance for sleep apnea in [GEOID].

Will My Medical Insurance Pay for Oral Appliance Therapy?

While policies will vary in coverage, medical insurance companies usually cover oral appliance therapy. Contact your medical insurance company to determine if your sleep test and oral appliance are covered. Contact us today to learn more about oral appliances and their prices with or without insurance.

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5.

Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in [GEOID]

Sleep Apnea

Are you always tired? There are many reasons for a lack of energy, but if you sleep eight hours a night, you should have energy during the day. It may be time to look at the quality of your sleep.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA is the most common form of the sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans. When the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse, the airway is blocked for at least 10 seconds, resulting in OSA. Individuals may make choking noises or wake up shortly, gasping for air multiple times every hour. They may not remember waking up to breathe.

What Sleep Apnea Symptoms Should I Watch For?

If you or a loved one is experiencing the following symptoms, see you physician or a sleep doctor:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loud snoring
• Pounding morning headaches
• Waking up with a sore throat

Ignoring OSA symptoms can lead to serious health problems. Even untreated moderate OSA gives you a three tines greater risk of having a stroke.

What Would Put Me at Risk for OSA?

Certain people are more at risk for developing OSA. Sleep apnea causes include:

• Excess weight
• Being over 40
• Having a large neck size
• Having a family history of OSA
• Excessive alcohol use
• Using sedatives

What is the Best Sleep Apnea Treatment?

You cannot start treatment without a diagnosis from a doctor and an overnight sleep test. The test determines whether you have mild, moderate or severe OSA.

There is no one best treatment for everyone. Individuals with mild OSA can diet and sleep on their side; this may be enough to alleviate the symptoms. Oral appliances can help individuals with mild and moderate OSA. A sleep physician may recommend a CPAP machine as an OSA treatment as well. You would have to get used to wearing a mask at night with a CPAP machine. Surgery is also an option for people with severe OSA who cannot find any other treatment that works. Surgery does not always provide a permanent solution though, the OSA can return. Call our office if you are looking for an oral appliance for sleep apnea in [GEOID].

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

What Does a Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard Do?

A sleep apnea mouthpiece will prevent your airway from becoming blocked by holding your tongue in place or pushing your mandible (lower jaw) forward. Some mouth guards do both. The custom mouth guard fits over your teeth, just like a retainer. Many patients say that it is easy to get used to after a few days. An OSA mouth guard will need adjustments to ensure that it is comfortable.

What Is the Price for an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea?

The prices for oral appliances vary; our dentist would have to look at your diagnosis and examine your mouth before quoting a price. Treating OSA with an oral appliance is typically less expensive than buying a CPAP machine and a mask. Additionally, you don’t use electricity with an oral appliance, so you will save money on your utility bill.

Will Oral Appliance Therapy Treatment Work for Me?

If you get a mouth guard for sleep apnea in [GEOID], it will most likely improve your sleep quality. Our dentist can adjust the appliance as need. As part of OAT, you should schedule another sleep study to determine the extent of your improvement.

Will My Medical Insurance Pay for OSA Treatment?

You should always check your policy before beginning treatment for sleep apnea in [GEOID]. The majority of medical insurance companies do cover OSA treatment; however, you may need to visit your primary care provider before visiting a sleep specialist.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in [GEOID]

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea prevents 18 million individuals from getting quality REM sleep. That’s millions of people driving on the roads or operating heavy machinery while they are drowsy.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea, which is a sleep disorder resulting in the stopping of your breathing multiple times each hour. When the soft tissue in your throat becomes too relaxed, it blocks you airway. When your brain senses the lack of oxygen, you wake up gasping for air, but you are only awake for a second and you probably won’t remember the apnea event.

Should I Seek Treatment for Sleep Apnea in [GEOID]?

If a partner tells you that you snore loudly or that you wake up choking or gasping for air, go to a sleep doctor immediately. Other sleep apnea symptoms that you may notice include:

• Waking up with a headache almost every morning
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling sleepy all day
• Being easily irritated
• Waking up with a dry mouth

If a dentist sees OSA symptoms in a patient, he or she will refer the patient to a doctor specializing in sleep medicine for a sleep study and a diagnosis.

What Are the Most Common Sleep Apnea Causes and Risk Factors?

The most common risk factors are being overweight and having a neck measurement of 16 inches or more. OSA is more common in men for numerous reasons, one of which has to do with weight distribution when men gain weight. A family history of OSA is also a common risk factor.

What Are My Sleep Apnea Treatment Options?

Your first option should be sleeping on your side, not on your back, and losing weight if you are overweight. Your doctor may suggest a CPAP machine, which keeps a continuous airflow moving through your throat. The machine requires a mask so it can push air into your nasal passages. If you’re not happy with the idea of wearing a mask, you can see a dentist for a custom sleep apnea mouth guard to wear while sleeping. If none of these treatment options are successful, surgery is the last option.

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

What Does an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Do?

Oral appliances can push the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open or they can prevent the tongue from falling backwards during sleep, causing airway obstruction. Some oral appliances do both. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn how an oral appliance for sleep apnea in [GEOID] can help you get the quality sleep that you deserve.

How Much Does a Mouthpiece for Sleep Apnea in [GEOID] Cost?

Please call to arrange a consultation with our dentist, who will determine the type of oral appliance that will benefit you. Additionally, it’s common to need an adjustment and there is the cost for another sleep study to check your improvement. Your medical insurance may cover all or part of these costs.

Why Should I Consider Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in [GEOID]?

OAT is effective, more comfortable than using a CPAP machine and it is easily portable for travel. You should always get your sleep apnea mouthpiece from a qualified dentist, who will make adjustments until the device is comfortable. While you can purchase cheap oral appliances online, these rarely work, and if they are not adjusted properly, they can harm your teeth. Once you have a diagnosis of sleep apnea, contact our office to schedule an OAT consultation.

Does Medical Insurance Pay for Oral Appliances?

Medical insurance may cover treatment since it is a medical condition diagnosed by a doctor, not a dentist. Check your policy for details.

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7.

Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in [GEOID]

Sleep Apnea in [GEOID]

Is your partner complaining about your loud snoring and the gasping for air in the middle of the night? If so, you may have sleep apnea, a dangerous sleep disorder where you stop breathing because your airway is blocked. This interrupts your REM sleep and leaves you feeling tired despite sleeping for eight hours. It may affect your partner’s sleep as well.

Did you know that you could have our dentist provide treatment for sleep apnea in [GEOID]? A dental mouthpiece may be all you need to sleep for an entire eight hours and wake up feeling energized.

What Does it Mean if a Person Has Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea refers to a medical condition which causes a sleeping individual to stop breathing for multiple times per hour. Muscles in the throat relax to the point that they collapse, blocking the person’s airway.

What Are the Evident Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Pay attention if:

• Someone tells you that you make choking noises while sleeping
• Someone tells you that you snore loudly
• You are extremely tired all day
• Your head pounds first thing in the morning

What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea causes include obesity or being overweight as fat in the neck can narrow your airway. More men than women have OSA. This occurs for many reasons, but most commonly when men gain weight, the fat settles more often in the neck and torso. Other risk factors include being over 40, having a family history of OSA and smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to have OSA than people who don’t smoke.

What Type of Sleep Apnea Treatment Works Best?

Before you get treatment, you will need a diagnosis, which depends on how many apnea events you have each hour while you are sleeping. Your primary care physician or sleep doctor will send you to a sleep lab for overnight observation, where your apnea events are recorded.

Your sleep doctor may suggest lifestyle changes, a CPAP machine or oral appliance therapy. There is no guarantee that a treatment will work; sometimes nothing relieves your OSA symptoms. Surgery is the last option, reserved for when all other options have been tried without success, but surgery is not successful in all cases.

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

What Are Mouth Guards for OSA?

An oral appliance for sleep apnea is a custom made appliance that gently pushes the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. There are devices to keep the tongue from falling into the airway as well. You should get your custom sleep apnea mouth guard from a dentist; the devices sold online are rarely effective.

What Do Dentist Charge for a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece?

Several factors determine the cost of a mouthpiece, including the type and brand of the mouthpiece and how many follow up appointments for adjustments you will need. Please call our office to make an appointment with a sleep dentist who can give you an estimate of your total cost.

How Will Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Benefit Me?

With OAT, you will get a restful night’s sleep by using a discrete mouthpiece. Since you won’t feel tired the next day, you reduce your risk of having a vehicle accident or an accident at work. You also lower your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and other ailments.

Will My Insurance Pay for an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea in [GEOID]?

Your medical insurance may pay for oral appliance therapy since OSA is a serious medical condition that can raise your risk for experiencing more extensive health problems later.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in [GEOID]

Sleep Apnea

Are you tired of having no energy despite getting eight hours sleep? Is your bedmate telling you that you gasp for air frequently during the night? If so, a sleep apnea mouth guard from your dentist might be just what you need to improve your sleep quality and start experiencing the benefits that come from a good night’s sleep.

What Happens with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

With OSA, the soft tissues in the back of your throat become so relaxed that they collapse and block your airway. Your tongue might fall back as well, helping to block off the airway. These lapses in breathing will occur frequently throughout the night. Oxygen deprivation has short and long-term consequences.

Which Sleep Apnea Symptoms Are the Most Dangerous?

Involuntarily falling asleep and difficulty concentrating can make a person with OSA more prone to have an accident at work or a motor vehicle accident. Other symptoms, such as waking up with a pounding headache or sore throat nearly every day are uncomfortable, but not immediately dangerous.

What Are the Sleep Apnea Causes?

OSA causes include:

• Obesity
• Have a neck size larger than 16 inches
• Having a thick tongue
• Taking sedatives
• Drinking alcohol before going to sleep
• Being male
• Being over 40

How Can I Get Treatment for Sleep Apnea in [GEOID]?

Before you decide on a sleep apnea treatment, you need a diagnosis from a doctor. He or she will send you to a sleep lab to determine if you have a mild, moderate or a severe form of OSA. A sleep lab technician monitors your apnea events; up to 15 apnea events indicates you have mild OSA. You have moderate OSA if you have fewer than 29 apnea events, and 30 or more apnea events mean that you have severe OSA. Home sleep study kits are also available.

Mild forms of OSA can be treated with lifestyle changes first, such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. Oral appliances from a dentist can treat cases of OSA, as can CPAP machines. When these treatments fail, the only option left is surgery. Call our dental office to learn how we can treat your diagnosed sleep apnea in [GEOID].

Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea

What Is an Oral Appliance for OSA?

An oral appliance for sleep apnea in [GEOID] is a custom mouth guard that fits over your top and bottom teeth. It repositions the lower jaw, and possibly the tongue, to keep your airway open while you sleep. Specialized labs create the hardened acrylic oral appliances from molds of your teeth.

What Will an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Cost?

You would have to consult with your dentist before learning the cost for your custom mouth guard. There are several types of oral appliances; our sleep dentist will recommend the appliance that will be the most effective. Call our office to arrange your consultation and you will receive the anticipated cost for your appliance after an examination.

What Is Oral Appliance Therapy Treatment (OAT)?

OAT is ideal for individuals who have mild to moderate OSA; however, a mouth guard can be used in conjunction with a CPAP machine in cases of severe OSA.

Will Dental Insurance Pay for a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece?

OSA is a medical condition that medical insurance companies generally cover; although, coverage varies between plans. Check your policy for details. We will help you get the maximum benefit for OAT from your medical insurance company.