Tired? Snoring? No matter how much you twist and turn you can’t get that much needed sleep? If you are having difficulty with chronic fatigue, elevated blood pressure, depression, anxiety, waking up with a sore throat, morning headaches, or find yourself clenching/grinding your teeth you may be suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
If you are experiencing any combination of the symptoms listed above, you may want to be evaluated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OSA occurs when the upper airway is blocked. Sometimes this airflow disruption may wake you 30 or more times per hour and can cause you to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more at a time. This is dangerous as it can lower blood-oxygen levels, increase risk of stroke and heart disease, cause weight gain, and increase risk of diabetes. It is estimated that 1 in 15 Americans have sleep apnea and 1 in 50 go undiagnosed.
Take this ten-question quiz to see if you should schedule an appointment to be assessed and treated for OSA.
Do You Suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
1. Do you snore while sleeping?
2. Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?
3. Have you had or are you currently being treated for high blood pressure?
4. Have you experienced recent weight gain?
5. Do you occasionally doze or fall asleep during the day when (select all that apply):
- You are sedentary
- In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
- Sitting and reading
- None of these apply to me
6. Do you suffer from depression, anxiety, or mood changes?
7. Do you struggle with acid-reflux?
8. Do you clench or grind your teeth?
9. Do you wake up with (select all that apply):
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Morning headaches
- None of these apply
10. Have you been told you stop breathing while you sleep?
I Think I Have Sleep Apnea- What Should I Do Now?
If you suspect you are suffering from OSA, you are probably wondering: What Should I Do Now? Luckily, the solution is simple. The only thing you need to do is schedule a sleep apnea appointment in our office.
During your visit, we will ask you supplementary questions about your symptoms and experiences, take an image of your airway, and assess your temporomandibular joint -TMJ (which acts as a sliding hinge that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw) to examine and rule out any other potential diagnoses. The remaining appointment time is spent familiarizing you with the Home Sleep Test equipment we use to conduct a full diagnosis for OSA.
Once you are familiar with how to use our equipment your Home Sleep Test is completed in three simple steps.
Taking Our Home Sleep Test is Easy
- You take the Home Sleep Test (HST) for the night which will monitor your breathing patterns and airflow while you sleep.
- Bring the HST back to our office the next morning so your results can be reviewed by our sleep apnea team.
- Once we have reviewed your test results, we will call you to discuss severity, treatment recommendations, and the estimated cost to complete treatment.
But Wait, How is the Cost of OSA Treatment Determined?
Treatment cost for obstructive sleep apnea is dependent on the severity of your case. Options for treatment range from an OPTISLEEP custom designed oral appliance made and placed for our patients here at Duff Family Dental to a referral for a visit with a medical specialist for more severe cases.
The costs associated with your case will be discussed upon receiving the coverage information provided by your insurance company. Treatment for sleep apnea is billed under medical insurance. We will ask for your medical insurance card at your initial appointment and send a pre-authorization for your treatment recommendation.
Before we start any treatment, you will receive a phone call from us, we will review your home sleep test results, the costs associated with your recommended treatment and answer any questions you may have.
Our Solution- Receiving Your New OPTISLEEP Appliance
The OPTISLEEP appliance is a clear upper and lower custom fit device. Advantages for the appliance design include:
- Allows for comfortable jaw movement
- Made with a slim profile
- Designed digitally to fit your teeth perfectly
- There is still room for your tongue to sit comfortably
- The appliance material is strong enough to reduce clenching and grinding
- Most importantly, the OPTISLEEP appliance will open your airway to relieve you from losing sleep and aid in the prevention of more severe complications
Using the OPTISLEEP Appliance to Dramatically Improve Your Life
Our team will work with you to ensure that the fit of the device is perfect before you take it home for the first time. We may request that you are present for three to four follow up visits after receiving your appliance. This allows us to answer any of your questions, check that your device still fits properly, and ensure the device continues to improve your ability to get a good night’s rest.
To affirm our device is improving your quality of life, our office will conduct a comparison study after you have adjusted to your OPTISLEEP Appliance. You will take our HST home one last time to ensure that your symptoms have improved, and your breathing is within a normal range.
Could an OPTISLEEP device dramatically improve your quality of life? To learn more about Obstructive Sleep Apnea and explore your treatment options, schedule an appointment with Duff Family Dental today.
Testimonials
“The Opti-Sleep Device is great for people with snoring issues. I have told several friends about it. It takes a little time to get used to, but it is worth it. Sharice at Duff Family Dental is a perfectionist at getting it to fit your mouth. She is also very patient and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend this device to people who snore. Your bed partner will appreciate it.”
-Joane Burke-Kelly
“Not only is the device comfortable to wear, but my wife also says it has reduced my snoring by at least 90%, and I no longer wake up gasping for air. This device is a life-changer!”
-Edward
“I started using the Opti-Sleep Device about a year ago. This device has changed my sleep (and life) for the better. My deep and rem-sleep, oxygen levels have improved considerable (according to my Garmin watch) since I started using it. The biggest improvement is that my energy levels throughout the day have increased significantly. No more getting woke up with mask leaks. No more purchases of face masks and hoses. No more lugging a sleep apnea machine with me when I travel.”
-Lisa
