Sleep Disorders & Treatment
Wellspring Dental Group utilizes the most advanced technologies in testing, diagnosing, and treating sleep disorders and sleep apnea. We are excited to be partnered with OPTISLEEP and Solea Sleep Laser to personalized treatment plan for you!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder that causes snoring and breathing pauses during sleep. These breathing pauses may occur 30 times or more an hour. As a result, the quality of sleep suffers, making patients tired during the day. On top of that, life partners are often suffering too as loud and persistent snoring can keep him or her awake and take a toll on his or her well-being.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
The most obvious sign of obstructive sleep apnea is chronic, loud, and ongoing snoring. There is usually persistent sleepiness during the day, including while at work or driving. This may cause the sufferer to doze off during periods of inactivity. Other symptoms include morning headaches, waking frequently throughout night, difficulty concentrating and remembering, psychological problems such as depression or mood changes, and sore throat or dry mouth upon waking.
- Snoring that is loud and/or gasping
- Tiredness, fatigue, daytime sleepiness
- Sleep cessation observed by others
- Weight gain
- Irritability, moodiness, depression
- Memory, concentration, learning problems
- Waking with headache, sore/dry throat, or gasping sensation
- Recurrent awakenings or insomnia
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Obstructive sleep apnea risk factors:
Fragmented sleep such as that induced by obstructive sleep apnea is the most common cause of daytime sleepiness and issues related to sleep deprivation, including problems with memory, reaction time, and concentration. OSA may also lead to serious illnesses due to its reduction of oxygen levels. This combination of disturbed sleep and oxygen starvation may contribute to ailments including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, and depression, plus a significantly higher risk of accidents, including those in the workplace and while driving.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can increase the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack, stroke, or irregular heartbeat
- Severe weight gain
- Diabetes
- Work-related or driving accidents
How to get diagnosed for obstructive sleep apnea:
Do you have trouble sleeping, snore loudly or think that you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea? You should take those signs seriously and talk to your physician about a diagnostic sleep apnea test.
A definitive diagnosis for obstructive sleep apnea is made based on a sleep study. It can be done either with a portable device at home or in a sleep lab, where sensors are attached to your body to enable a physician to monitor your symptoms during the night.
A key piece of diagnostic data generated by the sleep study is the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), which is the combined number of apneas (breathing pauses) and hyponeas (decreased air flow) recorded per hour. Your doctor will use this and other criteria to determine whether you have sleep apnea, its severity, and recommended treatment approaches.
How can WE help YOU?
Wellspring Dental Group utilizes the most advanced technologies in testing, diagnosing, and treating sleep disorders and sleep apnea. We are excited to be partnered with OPTISLEEP and Solea Sleep Laser to personalized treatment plan for you!
Mandibular Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A mandibular advancement device is a custom-designed oral appliance fabricated by a dentist to treat snoring or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It is also recommended for patients with more severe OSA who are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP therapy and/or surgery. The two-piece appliance is designed to prevent apneas by keeping the upper airway open. The lower jaw is moved forward comfortably to relax the tissue at the back of the throat and prevent the base of the tongue from collapsing and blocking the airway.
Our treatments include the latest in FDA-approved oral orthotic therapy to keep the airway unobstructed during sleep. We are skilled in fitting and maintaining a variety of oral devices to reposition the mandible, retain the tongue below the airway and provide positive airway space to limit apnea episodes and their related loss of sleep.
It may interest you to know that many medical insurance plans reimburse for OSA and its related services and therapies. Our team is happy to assist patients in maximizing any medical insurance coverage benefits that apply to their course of treatment.
Snoring? Try Solea Sleep Laser Treatment in our Bedford Office!
“My Solea Sleep Laser experience was great! The procedure was virtually painless & there was no downtime after the appointment. My husband noticed over the next few days that my snoring had lessened and I felt I got a better night sleep!”
“The Solea Sleep procedure was QUICK, EASY, and PAINLESS! I have noticed a huge improvement in my sleep. I wake up refreshed and ready for the day!”
“What a difference!! My SnoreLab numbers were in the 20’s and 30’s before I received the OPTISLEEP device. Utilizing the device got my SnoreLab numbers into the low teens and single digits! I could feel the improvement in the restfulness of my sleep.”