Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) in Alexandria

Understanding This Medical Condition

Apnea is defined as a disorder in which breathing temporarily stops during sleep. This can cause the patient to wake up suddenly or to snore abruptly when normal breathing resumes. There are three basic types of apnea:

• Central apnea occurs because the brain fails to send the proper messages to the muscles of the diaphragm. This results in stoppages of breathing for a limited period of time.
• Obstructive apnea is caused when the airway through which you breathe partially collapses during sleep, preventing breathing until it reopens.
• Mixed apnea combines aspects of central and obstructive apnea and results in stoppages of breathing during sleep that can vary in length.

People over 40 and those who are significantly overweight may be at higher risk of developing issues with apnea and requiring treatment for this condition.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:

• Sudden waking or choking during sleep
• A feeling of breathlessness
• Headaches and fatigue during the day
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
• Irritability or lack of focus
• Loud snoring
• Reports that you have stopped breathing briefly during sleep

Sleep Apnea Causes

You are more likely to develop apnea if you have some or all of the following risk factors:

• Men are between two and three times more likely to develop apnea than women.
• Older individuals are also at higher risk.
• There may be a hereditary aspect to apnea issues. People with a family history of sleep apnea are more likely to develop apnea at some point in their lives.
• Alcohol consumption and the smoking of tobacco are also important risk factors in apnea.
• Nasal congestion and respiratory issues also increase the risk of apnea.
• Some apnea sufferers have a narrowed airway, which significantly increases the likelihood of apnea episodes. A thicker neck circumference is often associated with smaller airways and an increased risk of this condition.
• Obesity is a risk factor associated with many cases of apnea.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Alexandria

At Dental Associates of Northern Virginia in Alexandria, we offer a number of apnea treatment options for our patients in Alexandria. We will work with you to determine the most practical solution for your specific set of symptoms. In many cases, changing your sleeping position or exercising to lose weight could help reduce the severity of apnea symptoms. Dental appliances are also recommended treatment options for sleep apnea in Alexandria

Using an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea in Alexandria

Oral appliance therapy is often recommended by physicians and dentists as a solution for apnea issues. This therapy involves using dental appliances to change the position of the mouth and jaw during sleep. By moving the jaw forward slightly through the use of a sleep apnea mouth guard, it may be possible to open the airway more to prevent some or all episodes of apnea while you sleep.

Your sleep apnea mouthpiece will typically fit over your teeth in a similar way to retainers or athletic mouth guards. This will often allow you to sleep much more peacefully and with fewer interruptions to your sleep.

The cost of your oral appliance for sleep apnea will vary depending on a few factors, including the amount of correction needed and the materials used to create your appliance. Our dental team will work with you to make sure that your dental appliance is as affordable as possible.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

If left untreated, apnea can result in serious issues for you or your family members. Some of the most serious side effects of untreated apnea include the following:

• An increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
• Heart problems and high blood pressure associated with reduced blood oxygen levels during apnea episodes
• Liver problems
• Risks associated with sleepiness and fatigue during everyday tasks
• Complications that can arise during surgery or when taking certain medications

Oral appliance therapy can allow patients to get a good night's sleep and can lower the risk of these issues for those who use these devices to adjust the position of their jaws for improved breathing during sleep.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy Covered by Insurance?

Some insurance plans do cover oral appliance therapy, especially when it is recommended by your physician. Our dental team will work with you to make sure your treatment is as affordable as possible and that you enjoy the most affordable dental care in Alexandria.

To learn more about your options for oral appliance therapy, call Dental Associates of Northern Virginia in Alexandria today at (703) 596-0872 to make an appointment with us. We look forward to the chance to serve you.