Sleep apnea affects more than 26% of American adults, and many people who suffer from this condition have never been diagnosed. In the short term, it can cause snoring, low-quality sleep, and daytime drowsiness. And in the long term, untreated sleep apnea can increase your risk of serious health problems like heart attack and stroke.
At Springs Village Dentistry, Dr. Benjamin Moore and Dr. Diana Molta are here to help with specialized sleep health dentistry in Holly Springs, NC. With oral appliance therapy (OAT) from our team, you can sleep peacefully, eliminate snoring, and protect your whole-body health, too.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA for short, is the most common form of sleep apnea. In this condition, the soft tissue of the mouth and throat sags into the airway during sleep. In turn, this prevents proper breathing. These interruptions in breathing usually last at least 10 seconds, and could happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night, depending on the severity of the condition.
OSA is a serious health condition. In the short term, it prevents you from getting high-quality rest, causing issues like daytime drowsiness and difficulty concentrating. And in the long term, untreated sleep apnea can raise your risk of serious cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Wondering if you have obstructive sleep apnea? There are a few common signs that usually affect people with OSA:
If you recognize several of these signs, you may have sleep apnea. For an official diagnosis, you will need to see a physician or a sleep specialist for a sleep study. This will help your healthcare provider determine whether or not you have sleep apnea, understand its severity, and choose the best option for treating your condition.
At Springs Village Dentistry, Dr. Moore and Dr. Molta can provide oral appliance therapy (OAT) for sleep apnea. This treatment is suitable for most people who have sleep apnea and is a great alternative to other treatments like CPAP machines.
An oral appliance uses two mouthguards that are custom-fitted to your teeth and are connected with a piece of metal. When worn at night, the oral appliance shifts your lower jaw forward. This opens up your airway and prevents soft tissue from sagging and blocking your ability to breathe.
With oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea from Dr. Moore and Dr. Molta, you can reduce snoring, enjoy higher-quality sleep, and reduce your risk of serious health complications, too. If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and would like to explore your alternatives to traditional CPAP machines, give us a call at (919) 825-3131 or contact our team online to book your first visit at Springs Village Dentistry.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, some of the most common signs include loud snoring, stopping breathing while asleep, gasping for air during sleep, dry mouth on waking, morning headaches, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia), and mood changes. It’s important to talk with your doctor and/or dentist if you believe you may suffer from sleep apnea.
Yes! In many cases, sleep apnea can be either cured or managed depending on the root cause of the disorder. If you’re curious about the options available to you, call our office to schedule your consultation.
Many who receive sleep apnea treatment are lifelong patients. The root cause of your sleep apnea will often dictate treatment options and how long you can expect to continue treatment for sleep apnea.
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Call (919) 825-3131 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.