Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the body’s airways become obstructed during sleep. Anyone can develop OSA; however, it’s most commonly associated with being overweight or obese. In order to receive a diagnosis, you’ll need a physical exam and a sleep monitoring test to detect frequent apneic/hypopnea episodes, which are moments where you stop breathing or have slowed breathing.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Symptoms and Complications
If you have OSA, you (or your partner) might first notice loud snoring. When you wake up in the morning, you might find it hard to shake the feeling of drowsiness, no matter how many cups of coffee you drink. However, the cornerstone symptoms of OSA are periods of apnea (temporary cessation of breathing) and hypopnea (abnormally slow or shallow breathing) during sleep. Complications can include hypertension, increased stroke risk, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and premature death.
Treatment Options
Treatment for OSA depends on the case. Severe sleep apnea usually requires treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Dentists who specialize in OSA can treat many mild and moderate cases with an oral appliance. Sleep apnea oral appliances are custom made, and they work by moving the jaw forward. This increases the size of the upper airway, which reduces the air resistance that leads to OSA.
Receive a Diagnosis at Duff Family Dental
Duff Family Dental is one of the few dental providers in southwest Missouri that is able to diagnose and treat OSA. To get the diagnosis process started, we administer a symptom and risk factor screening questionnaire. Based on the patient’s risk score, we may recommend a cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scan of the head and neck, which we are able to complete quickly in our office.
That same day, we’ll send the patient home with an overnight apnea monitor. This device records the severity of any sleep apnea. Next, we use these results to determine whether or not the client can benefit from a dental appliance, which can be made based on the images taken on the CBCT scan. If the case is more severe, we’ll refer the patient to a sleep medicine specialist, who can evaluate the situation and recommend a CPAP machine for the client to set up at home.
We try to make the process as convenient and efficient as possible. The sleep study can be completed the same day as your visit, and you can return the sleep monitoring device directly to our office or simply drop it in the mail.
_____
If you believe that you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, contact Duff Family Dental today. We aim to provide you and your family with the best and latest in dental technology and treatment options. We offer a variety of services, including obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, composite fillings, dental bonding, and more, and we can customize our treatment options to meet your needs. To get started, give us a call at 417-501-8601 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you!
