Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common, severe sleep disorder. Patients suffering from sleep apnea suffer from breathing problems while sleeping. Their breathing is abrupt and repeatedly stops and starts and they find themselves gasping for breath throughout the night. The irregular breathing pattern lowers the oxygen level in blood and leads to serious health issues, including cardiovascular problems, ADHD, and depression. The SilentNite oral appliance is a comfortable, custom-made device designed to treat snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It works by gently repositioning the lower jaw forward, which helps keep the airway open during sleep, reducing snoring and improving breathing. This non-invasive solution is ideal for those seeking relief from sleep-related breathing issues without the need for surgery or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. Sleep apnea is of the following three types:

1. Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. Obesity or excess weight is the leading causes of OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles present in the back of the throat relax and the airway narrows while

breathing. Due to this, patients cannot get enough air while breathing; as a result, their blood-oxygen-level drops. The lowering of blood-oxygen-level triggers the brain to briefly awaken the patient from sleep. This is repeated 5-30 times each hour, every night, impairing the patient's ability to attain a night of deep, restful sleep.

2. Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is the second most common form of sleep apnea. Patients suffering from it experience shortness of breath while sleeping because their brain fails to stimulate the breathing muscles. This means that they forget to breathe for a short period of time while sleeping. As a result, they find themselves awakening multiple times, while gasping, or choking due to loss of breath.

3. Complex sleep apnea

Complex sleep apnea is a complicated combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. It is also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is generally characterized by its most common symptom, snoring. Nevertheless, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud and persistent snoring.
• Multiple pauses in breathing.
• Choking, gasping, or snorting sounds while breathing.
• Waking up with a dry throat almost every day.
• Daytime sleepiness accompanied by fatigue.
• Reduction in cognitive skills.
• Morning headaches and body pain.
• Frequent visits to the bathroom during the night.
• Reduction in sexual desires.
• Irritability.
• Insomnia.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Sleep apnea is a common, yet serious problem. If left untreated, it leads to a reduction of cognitive ability, depression, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. At Murray Dental Care, oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment for sleep apnea. This non-invasive approach involves using a custom-made device that fits comfortably in the mouth, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. By repositioning the jaw and tongue, the oral appliance reduces snoring and prevents breathing interruptions, allowing patients to enjoy restful sleep. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care to ensure optimal results for each patient.

The oral appliances used to treat sleep apnea are custom-designed mouthpieces that enlarge the airway and provide for proper, regular breathing. The SilentNite oral appliance treats sleep apnea by gently shifting the lower jaw forward, which helps keep the airway open during sleep. This repositioning reduces the likelihood of airway obstruction, improving airflow and preventing the pauses in breathing associated with obstructive sleep apnea. It offers a comfortable, non-invasive solution for managing mild to moderate sleep apnea without the need for a CPAP machine. They are of the following two types.

• Mandibular repositioning mouthpieces: These devices cover the upper and lower dental arches and hold the jaw in position, preventing it from obstructing the upper airway.
• Tongue retaining devices: These appliances lock the tongue in a forward position and prevent it from rolling back and obstructing the upper airway.

At Murray Dental Care of Cupertino, our entire team of dentists and hygienists is committed to providing supreme quality dental care to our patients and their families. If you are inclined towards taking the first steps to improve your dental health and hygiene, call us at (408) 253-5277 to book an appointment.