Sleep Apnea Treatment - Concord, CA
Say Goodnight to Sleep Apnea and Good Morning to a Better You
Restful Sleep, Easy Breathing and a Healthier You
While there are three types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea is by far the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders. Worldwide, an estimated 936 million people ages 30–69 have mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea, while 425 million people have moderate to severe cases.
The majority of time, this type of sleep apnea is caused by blockage of the airway due to collapse of tissues from the roof of the throat. The airway obstruction causes most people to awaken, engage muscles in their throat and take several gasps or deep breaths. This is often accompanied by sounds like snorting or choking. These breathing interruptions may temporarily minimize the supply of oxygen to your brain.
At Smile Makers Dental Care, we offer a simple yet effective oral appliance for sleep apnea in Concord, CA. We also offer a unique, FDA-approved medical appliance that enables you to help determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea in the comfort of your own home.
Sleep Apnea Affects More Than Your Breath
The nighttime side effects of abnormal breathing include loud snoring often punctuated by gasping or choking sounds, grinding teeth during sleep (bruxism), restless sleep with periods of nighttime wakefulness and an increased need to get up to urinate.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, sleep apnea can be accompanied by tossing and turning and even kicking, thrashing or suddenly awakening in a disheveled bed. Not surprisingly, these sleep disturbances can negatively impact your partner’s ability to get adequate sleep.
Next-day symptoms for both you and your sleep partner can include excessive daytime sleepiness, early morning headaches and irritability or frustration.
Systemic Health Repercussions
Sleep allows both your body and brain to recover during the night. When left untreated, sleep apnea can impact your physical and mental health. A 2018 study confirmed a relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. And a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis showed an association between obstructive sleep apnea and anxiety and depression.
Sleep deficiency is also linked to a higher risk of injury in adults, teens and children. In addition, research shows it can increase your risk of several serious systemic health conditions.
Sleep Apnea and Related Systemic Health Issues
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Detection and Sleep Apnea Treatment
At Smile Makers Dental Care, we’re committed to helping you achieve restful nights and productive, energetic days with sleep apnea treatment in Concord, CA. Advances in dentistry have made it possible to help patients who suspect they have sleep apnea to detect it at home. MATRx Plus™ is an FDA-approved device that was developed specifically to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of milder forms of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea that can be treated with an oral appliance to keep the airway open during sleep.
MATRx Plus enables performing a home sleep test and an oral appliance trial to determine if you have sleep apnea and test your response to the oral appliance. In addition, you can share the reports with a local sleep clinic so a sleep specialist can formalize your diagnosis and propose a treatment plan.
For more severe cases, a sleep specialist may recommend a CPAP device, a mask that fits over your face that supplies oxygen while you sleep.
Restore Restful Sleep with an Oral Appliance
If it’s confirmed that an oral appliance for sleep apnea is the best approach, you’ll return to our practice and Dr. Ewing will customize an appliance to your unique specifications. The mandibular advancement device is a simple yet effective sleep apnea treatment in Concord, CA for many patients.
It prevents the collapse of the tissues from the roof of your throat, thereby continuously keeping your airway open. The device also brings your lower jaw forward, which widens the opening to the airway and enables easy breathing.
This convenient, comfortable and portable type of sleep apnea treatment can help you sleep better, have more energy and feel sharper throughout the day.