Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea & other sleep-related breathing disorders are a widespread problem affecting an estimated 20-30% of Americans

Many of these conditions can be life threatening if not treated, yet often go undiagnosed. Most people don’t even know they suffer from these conditions, or the very real dangers they live with. Good sleep is vital to health, yet millions are deprived of sleep, their sleep cycles interrupted by their body waking up to breathe.

Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition marked by interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle. The most common form is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where collapsed tissues in the throat obstruct the airway. This causes the body to partially awakens to resume breathing throughout the night. Severe cases can result in hundreds of awakenings each night. These interruptions to the sleep cycle prevent truly restful sleep, causing symptoms like snoring, waking up tired, headaches in the morning and daytime sleepiness.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea

  • Pauses in breathing typically last 10 seconds

  • Severe cases may last up to 30 seconds

  • Loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea

  • Pauses can recur throughout the sleep cycle

  • May result in frequent awakenings and sleep fragmentation

As many as 60 million Americans could be living with undiagnosed OSA and not even know it

An estimated 1 in 5 adults suffer from mild to moderate OSA and 1 in 15 from moderate to severe OSA. As many as 80% of these cases are undiagnosed and unaware of their condition. Awareness of OSA and access to treatment is a widespread public health problem, one with potentially life threatening consequences for millions of Americans. For these reasons it is crucial that anyone experiencing symptoms be screened and tested for OSA. Intervening early can prevent progression of the disease and improve overall health, reducing other problems. 

OSA can leave you feeling tired all day, cause fatigued driving and lower your productivity, but these are not the only dangers. Left untreated, OSA puts added stress on the body and immune system. Chronic lack of sleep can exacerbate existing conditions, increasing the likelihood of adverse events. Research findings report that Sleep apnea is commonly associated with other serious medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

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OSA is associated with other serious medical conditions

  • Obesity

  • Alzheimer’s disease

  • Diabetes

  • Hypertension

  • Heart-failure

  • Depression

  • Stroke

  • Depression

  • Acid Reflux

  • Coronary Artery Disease

  • ADHD

Common Symptoms of OSA

  • Snoring

  • Forgetfulness

  • Headaches in the morning

  • Gasping for Air

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Restless sleep

  • Daytime Sleepiness

  • Depression

  • Feeling irritable

  • Night sweats

  • Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning

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OSA is a widespread health problem, with potentially life-threatening consequences if left untreated. For these reasons it is crucial that anyone experiencing symptoms be screened and tested for OSA. Intervening early can prevent progression of the disease and improve overall health, reducing other problems.

We treat sleep apnea with an FDA approved oral appliance customized to fit each patient.

How it works:

  1. Schedule a screening at our office by filling out the form on the right

  2. If the screening indicates you are at risk for OSA, we will arrange a Home Sleep Test

  3. Sleep in your own bed while the device monitors your sleep

  4. Results from the test are downloaded and sent to a board-certified Sleep Physician for review and diagnosis

  5. If the physician recommends Oral Appliance Therapy, we will take impressions of your teeth and create a custom device for you

  6. After the device is made, it may require adjustments to ensure optimal airflow

  7. A follow up home sleep test is used to verify the device is working as intended

OSA is a medical condition, which means that it is covered under medical insurance, not dental insurance even though treatment is delivered by a dentist. As a courtesy, we will verify and file your claim with your medical insurance carrier; however, verification is only an explanation of benefits based upon information that we received from your insurance carrier. It is not a guarantee of payment. Please contact your insurance carrier directly to confirm your individual benefits for Oral Appliance Therapy.