At BB Dental Studio, we focus on providing dental care that serves the whole patient by promoting total body wellness through preventative care and wide-reaching treatment strategies. While many patients don’t think about visiting the dentist for sleep apnea, we do offer a variety of treatment solutions that can help address certain types of sleep apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder marked by the frequent cessation of breathing or problematically shallow breathing during sleep.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three basic types of sleep apnea that vary based on the underlying cause of the condition:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the complete or partial collapse of the upper airway during sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – Central sleep apnea is caused by the failure of the brain and nervous system where breathing stops during sleep as a result of the brain not properly signaling the muscles that control breathing to contract.
- Complex Sleep Apnea (CompSA) – Complex sleep apnea is diagnosed when a patient has a combination of both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.
Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
Many people with sleep apnea are not aware of the condition because they are sleeping and not conscious when they stop breathing, and many diagnoses occur after a person’s partner has told them they stop breathing at night or that they snore loudly. Sleep apnea can also produce some signs and symptoms that occur during waking hours, such as:
- Waking up and feeling short of breath
- Frequent morning headaches
- Waking with a sore throat
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Difficulty staying awake during the day
- Not feeling rested after an adequate amount of sleep
- Unintentionally falling asleep during the day
- Falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow
A patient who has the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea should contact their primary healthcare provider to request a sleep study. This is the only way to confirm a sleep apnea diagnosis and determine the type of sleep apnea occurring.
Beyond the CPAP: Additional Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is the standard and most common treatment for sleep apnea. Worn during sleep, this device includes an apparatus that filters and pressurizes air and a hose that connects to a face mask that fits over the nose or the mouth and the nose. The continuous air pressure provided by the CPAP keeps the airways open during sleep, ensuring the patient receives enough oxygen.
Depending on the severity and type of sleep apnea with which you have been diagnosed, you might benefit from an alternative treatment. Some alternative sleep apnea treatment options include:
- Oral Appliances
- Orthodontic Treatment
- Lifestyle Changes
- Surgery
What Sleep Apnea Treatment Is Right for You?
The treatment (or combination of treatments) that is right for you depends largely on the type of sleep apnea you have. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea can sometimes benefit greatly from these alternative treatments, while patients with central sleep apnea typically require treatment with CPAP. If your doctor or sleep specialist has recommended an alternative solution, such as an oral appliance or orthodontic treatment, our dentist can talk with you about the next steps.
Start Your Journey to Better Health with Sleep Apnea Treatment in Roseville, California
At BB Dental Studio, we emphasize whole body health as the ultimate objective of dental care, and that is why we’re proud to provide our patients with alternative sleep apnea treatment solutions such as specially designed sleep apnea nightguards and orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.
To learn more about sleep apnea care, we welcome you to contact our Roseville dental office today to request an appointment with our dentist.
