SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT

At Beacon Dental, we recognize that a good night’s sleep is vital for your overall health and well-being. If you or a loved one struggles with loud snoring, frequent awakenings, or constant daytime fatigue, you might be experiencing sleep apnea. Our dedicated team in Winterville, NC, is here to help you rediscover peaceful nights and energized days with our comprehensive sleep apnea treatments, including effective oral appliance therapy.

Sleep apnea is a common yet serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated stops and starts in breathing during sleep. This condition disrupts your sleep cycle, leading to fragmented sleep and insufficient rest. There are three main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form, OSA occurs when the muscles at the back of your throat relax excessively, causing a blockage in your airway.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type occurs when your brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this condition is a combination of both OSA and CSA.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to various serious health complications. Understanding these risks highlights the importance of seeking treatment:

• Cardiovascular Problems: Sleep apnea is closely linked to cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. The repeated drops in blood oxygen levels during apnea events can strain the cardiovascular system.

• Daytime Fatigue & Accidents: Chronic daytime fatigue is a hallmark of sleep apnea. This excessive tiredness can impair concentration, reaction times, and decision-making, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

• Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders: Sleep apnea can disrupt your body’s hormone balance, contributing to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Interrupted sleep can lead to insulin resistance and increased appetite, exacerbating these conditions.

Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. At Beacon Dental, we collaborate with sleep specialists to ensure you receive a comprehensive evaluation. This typically involves a sleep study conducted in a sleep lab or at home using portable monitoring equipment. The results will help determine the severity of your condition and guide the development of your personalized treatment plan.

For many patients, oral appliance therapy (OAT) provides a comfortable and effective solution for managing sleep apnea. Unlike CPAP machines, which can be cumbersome, oral appliances are custom-fitted devices worn in the mouth during sleep. They help keep your airway open by:

• Repositioning the jaw: Oral appliances gently advance the lower jaw forward, preventing the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing and blocking the airway.

• Stabilizing the tongue: Certain appliances can hold the tongue in a forward position to ensure it does not obstruct the airway.

Oral appliance therapy offers several advantages for individuals with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea:

• Comfort and Convenience: These appliances are compact, portable, and easy to care for, making them ideal for travel.

• Improved Compliance: Many patients find oral appliances more comfortable and easier to use consistently compared to CPAP machines, leading to better adherence and treatment outcomes.

• Quiet Operation: Oral appliances are silent, eliminating the noise associated with CPAP machines and promoting a more restful sleep environment.

At Beacon Dental, we are committed to providing you with exceptional care and personalized treatment plans to improve your sleep and overall health. While there are various treatment options for sleep apnea, we offer the latest methods to ensure your solution is comfortable and convenient. Our team is trained and experienced in working with sleep specialists to ensure the best results for our patients.