Did you know Fuller Dental helps patients with Sleep Apnea?

In most mild to moderate cases, we can treat patients using oral appliance therapy. This is a successful treatment alternative that can replace the CPAP machine. Fuller Dental offers custom oral sleep devices for the treatment of sleep apnea in Burlington, NC.

An oral device is custom-made for you and fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway. This will reduce the collapse of soft tissues at the back of the throat. Research shows that oral appliance therapy is a good treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Even though Fuller Dental provides sleep apnea treatment, we also treat any dental concerns you may have.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder. Common signs are loud snoring and episodes where the patient stops breathing during sleep. Patients with sleep apnea experience a collapse of the soft tissues at the back of the throat, blocking the airway and forcing a loud snore or gasp to restart the flow of air.

In many cases, the patient does not know that they are snoring and not breathing normally until their sleep partner lets them know. They may also notice changes in their daily quality of life.

Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Although snoring is a common symptom, it does not always mean that a patient has a sleep disorder. Many patients with sleep disorders either do not snore or do not realize they do. There are several key signs of a sleep-related disorder such as sleep apnea and discussing your lifestyle habits and concerns with us during visits can help identify larger health issues such as sleep apnea. Common signs can include:

• Snoring, often loudly
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Feeling groggy or sleep during the day
• Moody, irritable
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating

There are also certain risk factors for the development of sleep apnea that your Fullerton dentist can discuss with you. These can include being overweight, hypertensive, diabetic, over the age of 45 or a smoker. Research has shown that males, especially if you have a larger neck circumference, are at greater risk for developing sleep apnea.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea in Burlington

Although the CPAP is still a good treatment option for sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy has been proven to be effective for mild to moderate cases. The CPAP often leads to noncompliance among patients because it is uncomfortable and hard to maintain. Not treating your sleep apnea will increase your risk of other health concerns such as heart attack and stroke.

Patients seem to tolerate the oral sleep devices very well. They have a high compliance rate among patients which leads to less symptoms and health risks. Custom fit, your oral sleep device is much like a mouth guard that you wear a night while sleeping.

Repositioning the jaw for natural air flow, the oral appliance reduces or eliminates the continual cessation of breathing that leads to symptoms and health problems. Convenient, comfortable, and portable, an oral appliance enables the wearer to speak and consume fluids when in place.

Dr. Peterson is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and stays informed on the latest research and treatments for sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders. She offers treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Also, we work with patients who need help identifying a possible sleep disorders affecting their health and well being.