Do you suffer from the effects of sleep apnea? When left undiagnosed and untreated, this condition can have serious consequences and negatively affect your overall health. Dr. Kanellis in Sparks, NV creates custom night guards and oral appliances as less invasive forms of sleep apnea treatment. Both custom-made night guards and mandibular advancement oral appliances are more comfortable solutions for patients suffering from sleep apnea and its side effects.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by continual pauses in breathing during sleep, caused by a combination of your muscles relaxing during sleep and gravity pulling your airway closed simultaneously. Sleep apnea can lead to several serious conditions including hypertension, memory loss, mood change, weight gain, and severe fatigue.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea regularly complain of:
- Heavy Snoring
- Periodic Loss Of Breath While Sleeping
- Struggling To Breathe While Sleeping
- Constant Fatigue And Lack Of Energy
- Weight Gain
- Depression
- Dry Throat
- Irritability & Mood Swings
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 22 million people have sleep apnea in the United States alone. This can be a serious condition, especially when left untreated. If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect that you have this condition, you could be at a higher risk for:
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Depression
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Diabetes
- Worsening ADHD
What Treatments Are Available For Sleep Apnea?
If Dr. Kanellis suspects that you may have sleep apnea, our team will coordinate with a sleep specialist to provide an official diagnosis and to ensure you get the treatment you need! If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you will likely be provided with either a CPAP machine or an oral appliance for treatment.
A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is the most common treatment for most people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP machine has a small air blower connected to a cushioned plastic mask that covers your nose. The blower forces air through a flexible hose into the mask to help keep your airways open while you sleep.
We make custom oral appliances, otherwise known as mandibular repositioning appliances, that are designed to open airways during sleep to provide relief from symptoms of sleep apnea. Generally, patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea prefer oral appliances over bulky CPAP machines.
No matter what treatment you require, we will be there for you every step of the way!
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Screening With Kanellis Family Dentistry Today!
Don't let sleep apnea get in the way of your quality of life or your complete health! Call Kanellis Family Dentistry today to schedule your sleep apnea screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which the airway becomes blocked or narrowed during sleep, causing repeated interruptions in breathing. Symptoms can include loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping during sleep, daytime fatigue, and dry mouth or throat.
Common signs of sleep apnea include heavy snoring, pauses in breathing while sleeping, gasping or struggling to breathe during sleep, persistent daytime fatigue, dry throat, and irritability. If you regularly experience these symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional about whether a sleep apnea evaluation is appropriate.
A dentist may identify signs or symptoms that suggest you could have sleep apnea, but an official diagnosis typically requires evaluation by a qualified medical or sleep professional. If Dr. Kanellis suspects you may have sleep apnea, our team at Kanellis Family Dentistry can coordinate with a sleep specialist to provide you with the appropriate testing and diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnea and your individual needs. Common treatment options include CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy. Kanellis Family Dentistry provides custom oral appliances for appropriate patients and works with sleep specialists when needed.
A sleep apnea oral appliance is a custom-made dental device designed to help maintain an open airway during sleep. Mandibular repositioning or advancement appliances work by positioning the lower jaw and related structures in a way that can help reduce airway obstruction for appropriate patients.
Oral appliance therapy may be an option for some patients with obstructive sleep apnea, particularly those with mild to moderate OSA or those who have difficulty tolerating CPAP. A sleep specialist and dentist can determine whether an oral appliance is appropriate based on your diagnosis and individual circumstances.
For some patients, yes. CPAP remains an important treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea, while a custom oral appliance may be appropriate for certain patients. The right treatment depends on factors such as the severity of your sleep apnea, your health, and your ability to tolerate different treatment options.
A dentist trained in sleep apnea treatment can provide a custom oral appliance when this form of therapy is appropriate. At Kanellis Family Dentistry, Dr. Kanellis can work with a sleep specialist to support the diagnostic and treatment process and help determine whether an oral appliance may be a suitable option.
Some patients prefer oral appliance therapy because the device is smaller and does not require a mask, tubing, or an air blower. However, comfort and treatment effectiveness vary from person to person. Your healthcare providers can help determine which option is appropriate for your sleep apnea symptoms.
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, the first step is to discuss your symptoms with a qualified healthcare or sleep professional. Kanellis Family Dentistry can provide a sleep apnea screening and, when appropriate, coordinate with a sleep specialist before creating a custom oral appliance.
