Sleep Apnea and Airway Issues

How Common Is Sleep Apnea? 

One in 10 adults has sleep apnea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sleep apnea even affects children. It is estimated that 3 to 7 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have sleep apnea. 

 

What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?

If you have sleep apnea, you may struggle with exhaustion during the day and wake up feeling unrefreshed.  The throat obstruction can cause pauses in breathing that last from a few seconds to minutes. You may snore loudly at night or wake up gasping for air. People with sleep apnea often tend to feel sleepy during the day because the condition severely affects the quality of sleep.

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Sleep apnea can lead to other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Untreated sleep apnea can even increase the risk of a car accident. 

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How Are Sleep Apnea And Snoring related? 

Many patients with sleep apnea also suffer from snoring. Snoring occurs when the tissue in the throat collapses and vibrates as air passes through it. This vibration can cause sound. Snoring on its own is harmless, but if you suffer from sleep apnea, it can lead to complications.

Sleep apnea sufferers often snore because their airways collapse when they sleep. This reduces the flow of air, and the individual awakes suddenly to breathe. This can happen many times throughout the night, causing an individual to wake up drowsy and tired.

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How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed? 

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed by a review of a patient’s medical history. A doctor may also request information regarding the lifestyle of the patient, such as whether they are overweight or smoke cigarettes. Patients are typically required to undergo an overnight sleep study, which monitors breathing and oxygen levels. These tests may be performed in a sleep laboratory or at home. The test results will indicate if the patient is suffering from sleep apnea.

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Treatment: CPAPs And Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is treated by wearing a dental appliance called a CPAP at night that keeps the airways open. Patients simply have to wear the appliance while they sleep. A CPAP is a mask that is worn over the nose. The machine regulates air through the mask and into the airways. Maintaining a continuous positive airway pressure prevents the collapse of the tissues in the throat and allows for better sleep throughout the night.

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Oral Appliances For Sleep Apnea

Our office has found that custom-fitted oral appliances are the best solution for addressing obstructive sleep apnea. These devices effectively keep the airway open during sleep, preventing collapse and reducing the severity of symptoms. They help maintain an unobstructed airflow, alleviating snoring and mild cases of sleep apnea. Made from soft plastic, these comfortable mouthguards prevent the jaw from moving backward, minimizing symptoms and promoting better sleep quality. Custom-made to fit each patient's mouth and teeth, these devices can be easily adjusted over time for optimal effectiveness. Most patients find relief by wearing them only at night, experiencing significant improvement or even elimination of snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.

City View Dental Studio proudly uses an oral appliance called The POD for Sleep Apnea. This guard allows full range of mouth movement–you can open and close your mouth, as well as talk, drink water and yawn while wearing the splint. 

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Nightlase Laser Assisted Snoring Treatment

NightLase is a snoring treatment that uses laser technology to treat the problem in a patient’s throat that is causing him or her to snore. Snoring is caused by a blockage in the airway that causes vibrations and creates the snoring sounds. During this treatment, laser technology is used to heat the soft tissues in the throat, causing a reduction in the size of these tissues to open up the airways and prevent vibrations.
 

NightLase treatment is performed in the dental office. A local anesthetic is first used to numb the tissue. The laser is then gently placed at the soft palate. Patients report feeling a gentle warming sensation. The laser is activated and generates a gentle vibration that quickly disrupts the tissue and reduces or eliminates snoring. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes and patients can resume normal activities immediately.

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NightLase treatment is also recommended for patients with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes breathing interruptions. These pauses usually last between 10 seconds and one minute. People who suffer from sleep apnea have difficulty breathing while they sleep. They usually snore heavily, wake up feeling tired, and have morning headaches.
 

Patients who suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms could be good candidates for NightLase treatment. The positive effects of NightLase treatment are not limited to the effects on the airway. Patients who use NightLase often experience better daytime alertness and mental clarity. Some patients also report improved productivity at work, as NightLase promotes better sleep.

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Myofunctional Disorders And Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Sleep-disordered breathing, or SDB, is a broad term used to describe a variety of breathing problems during sleep. These problems range from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition. In most cases, SDB is a symptom of myofunctional disorders or disorders of the facial muscles or tongue. These disorders result from poor oral habits, such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or tongue thrusting. In addition to our trusted staff, we also work closely with a myofunctional therapist to help patients get the best results.

To find out more about the dental services offered by our dentist in Albuquerque NM, Dr. Snyder, call (505)-293-7611, schedule an online consultation or visit us at 4830 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. K, Albuquerque, NM, 87111.