During sleep, your muscles relax, including the muscles in your throat. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea that occurs when soft tissues in the mouth block the airway. This airway blockage leads to periods of apnea or pauses in breathing. Continual pauses in breathing can make you lose sleep and even increase the risk of medical issues, especially if you already have a predisposition to heart problems. At Katy Smile Design, we offer sleep dentistry treatment for patients experiencing sleep apnea in Katy, TX. Our at-home studies and oral appliance therapy can help patients get back to restful nights of sleep.
What are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Know the symptoms of sleep apnea before you experience complications. Many patients with sleep apnea experience these symptoms:
- Snoring
- Insomnia
- Daytime sleepiness
- Mood swings
- Irritability
Patients who are male, overweight, or over 40 may be more at risk of developing sleep apnea because they can have a smaller airway. Additionally, patients with heart disease, diabetes, or asthma are more prone to developing complications if they also have sleep apnea. Finding and addressing sleep apnea as soon as possible can minimize the risk of increased health problems.
Sleep Dentistry in Katy, TX
We offer at-home sleep tests for patients who may have sleep apnea. During these tests, we monitor how often you pause breathing at night. The tests will also measure how much effort it takes you to breathe during sleep. This cost-effective option helps us determine which treatment you require to address your symptoms.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea. CPAP machines deliver oxygen through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. However, CPAP machines can be loud, and the mask can feel bulky or uncomfortable for some patients.
Oral appliance therapy is a more comfortable and portable option that benefits patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. We custom-make sleep apnea appliances by taking impressions of the teeth. Then, we send these impressions to a dental lab that creates the appliance out of durable materials. The device repositions the bottom jaw, moving it forward to keep the soft tissue from collapsing over the airway.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Do you think you may have sleep apnea? Call Katy Smile Design today at 281.396.4366. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us online.