Sleep Apnea
Patients with sleep apnea tend to snore and have difficulty sleeping soundly, which can affect nearly every aspect of their life.
In some cases, this sleep disorder can be treated with an oral appliance, which can result in improved sleep, energy levels, and health.
At Fort Bend Dental in Richmond, Grand Parkway, and Missouri City, TX, we provide sleep apnea treatment with customized oral appliances.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
People with sleep apnea experience interruptions in breathing that last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, generally followed by a loud gasp for air. These pauses in breathing can occur multiple times a night and increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Individuals can suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), or a combination of the two.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an obstructed airway and can interrupt your sleep several times throughout the night. This is the most common type of the disorder, and can often be managed with a customized mouth guard. When patients have obstructive sleep apnea, the soft tissue sags and partially or fully blocks your upper airway and prevents you from breathing normally.
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Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea also results in pauses in breathing throughout the night, but this is because the respiratory muscles fail to activate. This condition is often caused by underlying health conditions. Treatment often involves improving your health, use of a CPAP machine, oral appliance, or a combination of these treatments.
Sleep Apnea Signs and Symptoms
Patients with sleep apnea are generally unaware that they have it until a spouse or significant other notices their loved one snoring and gasping for air after pauses in their breathing. Symptoms are easily mistaken for other problems and include:
- Loud snoring
- Restless sleep
- Waking with a headache, dry mouth, or sore throat
- Extreme daytime sleepiness
- Trouble focusing on routine tasks
- Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate
- Increased anxiety or depression
- Moodiness and irritability
- Noticeable weight gain or weight loss
Who Is at Risk for OSA?
Anyone can be diagnosed with OSA, but you are at a higher risk of developing it if you:
- Are overweight
- Smoke
- Have a family member with OSA
- Are older (the condition is typically diagnosed in adults between 50 to 60 years old)
- Are male
- Are suffering from chronic nasal congestion due to a deviated septum
- Have excessive soft tissue in your throat (large tonsils or tongue)
- Have a wide or short neck
- Use alcohol or sedatives regularly
Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea
It Starts with a Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Our dentists are fully equipped to treat mild to moderate cases of OSA for patients throughout Fort Bend County and nearby areas, but only a sleep specialist can provide an actual sleep apnea diagnosis. We can conduct a screening, during which we will discuss your sleep patterns and other factors. Then, we can recommend that you visit a specialist to undergo a sleep study.
Oral Appliances
At our Missouri City, TX, Grand Parkway, TX, and Richmond, TX, offices, our dentists can fit you with a customized mouth guard to be worn each night. This device is designed to bring your lower jaw slightly forward and keep your airway open. This approach is less invasive and results in greater patient compliance than a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.
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"Absolutely a wonderful experience." Hear from Our Patients
Billy Siems
2021
Absolutely a wonderful experience. I had a crown come out this morning and they worked me in when several other dentist weren’t even willing to try. I wasn’t aware it was a crown so I was very worried. Dental Assistant Sam and Dr. Kenner we’re wonderful. They answered all my questions and made sure I understood the answer and repair and replaced my crown I highly recommend Ft. Bend Dental
View on GoogleDelundra Peterson
2021
On Wednesday July 14 l bit down on a peppermint and my Crown came out. I was so nervous and scared I immediately called the office after they were closed and left a message the Dr. that was on call forwarded my message over the team and the next morning Claudia called me Thursday and worked me in and I had my Crown put back in and they made sure I was well taken care of.
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