Ways to Treat Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person wakes up briefly multiple times throughout the night. This interrupts their sleep, leaving them feeling tired during the day. Sleep apnea also puts them at risk for other health problems.

Here are common ways sleep apnea Glendale or sleep apnea Phoenix is treated:

CPAP

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine or CPAP. This machine is worn while sleeping and blows air into the mouth to keep the airways open. Some people struggle with the discomfort of wearing a mask during their sleep, so a dentist can fit them for a custom night guard that will hold the mouth in a forward position and keep the jaw muscles relaxed throughout the night. The device can also be adjusted to accommodate various levels of air pressure to ease any soreness in the mouth.

If you suffer from symptoms of sleep apnea Glendale or sleep apnea Phoenix and would like to learn more about the treatment options we provide, call our dentist in Glendale or the dentist in Phoenix.

Oral Appliance Therapy

This is when you wear a special mouthguard-like device that’s designed to keep your airways open while you sleep. This treatment is very effective, and unlike CPAP machines, it won’t cause jaw pain or other dental problems that can be linked to sleep apnea. However, for people with severe apnea or for those who can’t tolerate the appliance, oral surgery may be recommended. Talk to our dentist in Glendale or dentist in Phoenix about the risks and benefits of oral appliances for treating sleep disorders like sleep apnea Glendale or sleep apnea Phoenix.

Lifestyle Changes

Losing weight can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms, especially snoring. However, it is important to discuss changes in diet with a dentist to ensure teeth are shifting properly during weight loss. Weight gain can cause teeth to shift and crowd together, which can lead to problems like bite misalignment or TMJ disorder. 

If a patient is concerned about the appearance of their smile during the weight loss process, they can talk with our dentist in Glendale or the dentist in Phoenix about Invisalign clear aligners that can be removed for special events. These clear aligners are a great solution for patients who need to maintain a professional image at work but do not want to wear metal braces throughout the day.

Surgery

Oral surgery isn’t always necessary for people with sleep apnea Glendale or sleep apnea Phoenix. However, there are two common surgeries for sleep apnea that are often recommended when other treatments have failed or when a person’s condition gets worse over time.

The first type of surgery is a Uvulo-Palato-Uvulopharyngoplasty (UPPP). This procedure involves removing the tonsils or adenoids and widening the airway. It does not remove the tongue. It often helps relieve snoring but isn’t effective in treating sleep apnea on its own.

The other procedure is an Orthognathic surgery. This involves aligning the jaw, so airways are more open. The oral surgeon may recommend this procedure when the patient’s other treatments fail, and the apnea worsens over time. Many people who have already had braces will have this surgery done at the same time to fix their bite.

Your dentist in Glendale or a dentist in Phoenix is the best person to talk to if you have any questions about sleep apnea Glendale or sleep apnea Phoenix or any of the treatments available. 

Dr. Darian, D.D.S. of Winning Smiles Dentistry, is here to provide you with the best treatment and advice possible. To make a reservation or to learn more about Sleep Apnea Glendale and Sleep Apnea Phoenix, please contact us at (623) 777-7942. Alternatively, you can visit us at your nearest location to see the dentist in Glendale or the dentist in Phoenix.