Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea in McLean

What Is Sleep Apnea?

If you often stop breathing for a short time when you sleep, you may be suffering from apnea issues that can have long-term and serious effects on your health. Obstructive apnea happens when the upper airway partially collapses, blocking much of the air from reaching your lungs. In central apnea, the signals from the brain to the diaphragm are interrupted or not present, which essentially causes your body to forge to breath during sleep. Some people have a combination of both obstructive and central apnea, which can make this condition much more difficult to treat.

Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of apnea are listed here:

• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Awakening suddenly and feeling short of breath
• Loud or irregular snoring
• Sore throat and dry mouth upon awakening
• Headaches in the morning
• Tiredness or sleepiness during the day

Addressing the causes of apnea can often provide real relief for patients who suffer from this common condition. At Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean in McLean, we can provide practical help in managing apnea and ensuring that you and your family members get the best night's sleep possible with fewer episodes of waking suddenly because of the inability to breathe.

What Are Some Primary Sleep Apnea Causes?

The causes for sleep apnea can vary considerably depending on the type of apnea and your overall health. Obesity and the use of drugs or alcohol are often responsible for obstructive apnea episodes. Neurological issues are generally to blame for central apnea issues. The team at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean in McLean can provide you with greater insights into the underlying causes for your apnea problems and can offer some practical solutions for managing this condition effectively.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Sleep Apnea in McLean?

There are a number of options available to you if you are suffering from apnea that interrupts your sleep or causes you physical distress. Some of the most commonly recommended treatments for this condition are listed here:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices use air pressure to keep your airway open during sleep. This is a viable solution for patients with moderate to severe apnea problems. Some patients, however, find CPAP machines to be too cumbersome or expensive for their treatment needs.
• In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to resolve the underlying reasons for obstructive apnea. This is generally a last resort and should not be the first option considered for treating apnea problems.
• Oral appliance therapy is a popular option among patients at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean in McLean. Our team can create an oral appliance for sleep apnea in McLean that will provide added help in maintaining an open airway and allowing patients with obstructive apnea to sleep more soundly. Whether you need a sleep apnea mouth guard or a smaller sleep apnea mouthpiece, our team can provide you with the right oral appliance for sleep apnea to help you sleep restfully and to reduce the frequency of apnea incidents for you or your family members.

If you are wondering if oral appliance therapy could be a good option for you or any other member of your family, the dentists at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean in McLean can provide you with guidance and support that can help you sleep more restfully and that can address the problem of apnea effectively. We are here to help.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy Affordable?

Treatment for apnea issues is usually covered at least in part by most health insurance policies. Oral appliance therapies are much less expensive than surgical options or CPAP machines, which can make them a great choice for families with limited financial resources. At Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean in McLean, our team will work to keep your costs low and to provide you with the most advanced and practical options for your health and your budget. We are here to help you enjoy the best dental health and the best solutions for apnea in the McLean area.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires immediate attention to reduce its impact on you and your family. Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean in McLean can provide you with services dedicated to treating this condition and helping you enjoy an improved quality of life. Give us a call today at (703) 532-2022 to schedule a consultation and to begin treating your apnea problems today. We are here to serve you now and in the future.