Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea in VA

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Apnea is defined as the sudden cessation of breathing, usually during sleep. This can cause a feeling of choking, shortness of breath, and sudden awakening in affected patients. The most common types of apnea are obstructive and central:

• Obstructive apnea occurs when the muscles of the upper airway relax during sleep and partially collapse, blocking air from reaching the lungs in sufficient quantities. This form of apnea can cause patients to awaken repeatedly throughout the night, although they may have no recollection of having done so.
• Central apnea, by contrast, is usually caused by a miscommunication between the brain and the muscles that control the diaphragm. In healthy individuals without apnea issues, the brain automatically sends signals to the diaphragm to maintain breathing patterns during sleep. Patients with central apnea, however, do not receive these signals properly, which can cause prolonged delays in breathing that can create serious risks to health.

In some cases, patients who are treated for obstructive apnea may develop central apnea after the initial problem is addressed. Complex sleep-apnea syndrome is rare and requires specialized treatment to ensure the health and safety of patients.

What Are Some Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of this serious condition are listed here:

• Loud snoring, often with interruptions
• Awakening with a feeling of choking or of shortness of breath
• Irritability or sleepiness during waking hours
• Incidents of stopped breathing observed by others
• Sore throat, dry mouth or headache upon awakening

If you or a member of your family are experiencing these symptoms, scheduling an appointment with Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean can help you find the right help for apnea issues in the VA area.

Understanding Sleep Apnea Causes

Being overweight is a significant risk factor for developing obstructive apnea. Losing weight can often reduce the frequency of apnea episodes for patients with this condition. The use of alcohol, sedatives and other drugs can also increase the risk of sleep apnea in VA.

Genetic factors can also play a role in determining who develops central or obstructive apnea problems. Men are more likely to suffer from the condition than women. Additionally, older people are at higher risk of apnea-related issues than younger individuals.

Your dentist at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean will discuss your personal risk factors for apnea-related problems and will help you the best treatment options for your needs. In many cases, an oral appliance for sleep apnea can provide solid relief for patients and can reduce the frequency and severity of apnea episodes.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

 For more severe apnea cases, you may need to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine while sleeping to prevent apnea episodes while you sleep. Surgical interventions may also be used to treat sleep apnea while oral appliance therapy, also known as OAT, is often used to address mild to moderate cases of apnea. Your dentist at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean can provide a customized oral appliance for sleep apnea in VA, which can help you enjoy these important benefits:

• Your sleep apnea mouthpiece will typically be more comfortable and less intrusive than a CPAP machine, which can help you sleep much more easily and with fewer interruptions caused by discomfort or noise. This can add up to a more restful experience without worries about apnea episodes.
• A sleep apnea mouth guard is usually considerably less expensive than a CPAP machine, which can be important for those on a budget.
• OAT devices are easily portable for those who travel frequently or who need a less bulky solution for their apnea treatment regimen.

Considering OAT options can often help you to manage your condition much more easily and effectively. At Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean, our team can provide you with the right solutions for all your dental care needs.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy Covered by Insurance?

Most insurance companies do cover at least a portion of the cost of OAT devices as part of an overall treatment plan for apnea issues. The team at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean will work with you to make sure your treatment is as affordable as possible. If you suspect that you or one of your family members is suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with our team today by calling . We are here to serve you now and when you need us in the future.