Sleep Apnea Treatment New Lenox
Rest Easier, Live Better
Do you regularly feel fatigued and exhausted in the mornings at work, even though you went to bed right on time? Does your spouse or family regularly complain about your loud snoring? These symptoms can indicate the presence of a dangerous health condition that shouldn’t be left to its own devices: sleep apnea.
Whether you’ve already received a sleep apnea diagnosis or still need to undergo screening to determine your risk, our team at Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox may be able to provide effective sleep apnea treatment. We want to help you reclaim a better quality of life! Contact us today to schedule a visit.
Why Choose Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Customized, Comfortable Oral Appliance Therapy
- 3 Highly Experienced Dentists In-Office
- Extended Morning & Even Hours for Your Convenience
What Is Sleep Apnea?
While there are multiple types of sleep apnea, the most common by far is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the airway is partially or fully blocked by oral tissues, resulting in reduced breathing capacity and repeated pauses in breathing. When this happens, your brain arouses you enough to get you breathing again. As you might imagine, these episodes can seriously disrupt your sleep cycle and downgrade the quality of your nightly rest.
You might be a victim of OSA if you regularly experience any of these symptoms:
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Observed pauses in breathing
- Waking up in the morning with a sore throat and/or chronic headaches
- Reduced memory and concentration
- Regularly waking up with snorts or gasps
- Visiting the bathroom frequently throughout the night
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
At first, sleep apnea might seem like a mere annoyance. Nothing could be further from the truth! Indeed, this condition has strong associations with numerous health risks, including an increased chance of stroke, heart attack, dementia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also take a heavy toll on your emotional and mental well-being; sleep apnea is linked to a heightened risk of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
As if all of that were not enough, sleep apnea can also slow down your ability to react quickly in dangerous situations. According to some estimates, it is a contributing factor to hundreds of thousands of car accidents each year.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Traditionally, sleep apnea has always been addressed with a CPAP machine, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The machine forces air into the patient’s lungs through a facial mask over the course of each night. While sleep apnea symptoms are definitely kept under control through consistent CPAP use, many patients forego treatment altogether because they cannot handle the noises and discomfort associated with the machinery. Thankfully, oral appliance therapy is a worthwhile alternative that deserves exploration.
Our dentists can design a custom-made appliance that resembles a mouthguard. Its purpose is to adjust the positioning of your lower jaw – just enough to prevent airway collapse and keep you breathing easily throughout the night. Many patients find that an oral appliance is more comfortable and convenient than a CPAP. Indeed, this treatment option boasts a significantly higher compliance rate.