Solutions for Sleep Apnea and Sleep Airway Management

An annoyed spouse isn’t the only risk associated with snoring. Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing is interrupted repeatedly during sleep. This is a serious sleep disorder as it may cause breathing to temporarily cease hundreds of times per night, cutting off oxygen to the body and brain.

Do you have a tendency to snore loudly while you sleep, or wake up feeling tired even after a full night’s rest? If yes, you may suffer from sleep apnea.

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the airway is blocked, often by relaxed throat muscles. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a fairly standard way to treat obstructive sleep apnea, but this solution doesn’t work for everyone. Some people find the mask uncomfortable or claustrophobic, or have a tendency to pull the mask off as they toss during the night.

Luckily, new solutions in the field of dentistry are offering alternatives for those who suffer from sleep apnea, such as oral appliance therapy.

How can oral appliance therapy help with sleep apnea?

Oral appliance therapy utilizes removable dental devices, often custom-made, to keep the airway open during sleep. These devices either support the jaw or tongue to prevent the airway from collapsing, and should be fit by a qualified dentist.

While oral appliance therapy cannot replace CPAP, it can be an excellent solution for those with less severe obstructive sleep apnea, and who either cannot use CPAP or wish for a more portable, easy-to-use option.

Sleep apnea solutions at Summerland Dental Centre

Obstructive sleep apnea is largely related to the positioning of the tongue and jaw, which is why seeking the help of a qualified dental professional is recommended.

At Summerland Dental Centre, we take sleep disorders seriously and work with our patients to find the best solutions for their specific situation. Our dentists have completed rigorous training in sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, and have invested in level 3 home sleep study technology to help us find the best appliance solution for our patients.

If you are searching for a dentist to assist with your sleep apnea, contact Summerland Dental Clinic. We would be happy to answer your questions about sleep disorders, oral appliance therapy, or any other oral health concerns that you may have.

We are now accepting new patients from Summerland, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Oliver and elsewhere in the Okanagan. Contact us to book an appointment.