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Treating Sleep Apnea in Rutherford

Sleep apnea is a serious, sometimes fatal medical disorder that affects around 10% of American men over the age of 40, and 6% of American women of the same age. The term sleep apnea is derived from the Greek etymology meaning “without breath”. 

Sleep apnea sufferers completely stop breathing during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times in a single night.  Normal breathing ceases because the airway becomes obstructed, causing a serious reduction of airflow to the lungs.

Breathing pauses can last anywhere from several seconds to minutes, and happen as often as 30 times or more per hour. Ongoing disrupted breathing causes an imbalance between the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream, as not enough carbon dioxide is exiting and not enough oxygen is entering the body.

Contact our Rutherford Sleep Apnea Dentist

If you suspect you are suffering from the effects of sleep apnea don't hesitate. Call (201) 438-8870 to contact our Rutherford sleep apnea dentist and schedule a consultation today

The Problem With Sleep Apnea

Sensing this imbalance, the brain sends a message to the body, telling it to wake up to restart the breathing process.  People with sleep apnea will partially awake as they struggle to breathe, and this is often accompanied by loud snoring or choking sensations.

Because people with sleep apnea don’t always completely awake during the episodes, they are often unaware they have a sleeping disorder and it can remain undiagnosed.

Two Main Types of Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea which occurs when the brain fails to send important signals to the breathing muscles.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when air cannot flow through the nose or mouth even though the body is still trying to breathe. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue lying at the back of the patient’s throat collapses into the airway. The tongue then falls towards the back of the throat which tightens the blockage and prevents oxygen from entering the lungs.

The problem worsens when the chest region, diaphragm, and abdomen fight for air. The efforts they make to obtain vital oxygen only cause a further tightening of the blockage. The patient must arouse from deep sleep to tense the tongue and remove the soft tissue from the airway.

Because sleep apnea causes carbon dioxide levels to skyrocket in the blood and oxygen levels to decrease, the heart has to pump harder and faster to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Sleep apnea patients can technically “die” many times each night. Sleep apnea has been linked to a series of serious heart-related conditions, and should be investigated by the dentist at the earliest opportunity.

Obstructive sleep apnea is far more prevalent and easily treatable by the dentist.

Signs To Watch For

Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea can include severe early morning headaches, sleepiness in the daytime, and insomnia. Fortunately, the dentist is equipped with the necessary technology and expertise to treat sleep apnea in several different ways.

Speak With Dr. Frost If You Suspect You Have Sleep Issues

It is very important to seek medical attention if sleep apnea is suspected.   

A sufferer can completely stop breathing numerous times per hour, and this can quickly turn into a deadly situation. If you suspect your loved one is suffering from sleep apnea help them set the consultation to speak with an experienced dentist who can treat sleep apnea such as Dr. Frost.

Treating Sleep Apnea in Rutherford

Initially, the dentist will want to conduct tests in order to investigate, diagnose, and pinpoint a suitable treatment. The dentist can offer many different treatment options which depend largely on the exact diagnosis and the health of the patient. The dentist may advise the patient to halt some habits that aggravate sleep apnea such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and tranquilizer use.

Sleeping masks were traditionally used to keep the patient’s airways open while they slept, but nowadays there are some less intrusive options. Dental devices that gently tease the lower jaw forward are very effective in preventing the tongue from blocking the main air passage. These dental devices are gentle, easy to wear, and often help patients avoid unwanted surgeries.

Sleep Apnea Appliances

The ProSomnus sleep devices are patient specific to maximize tongue space and the ability to open and close during wear. They are intended to reduce night time snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). They accomplish this by holding the lower jaw forward during sleep which prevents the tongue and throat tissues from collapsing into the airway.

• ProSomnus MicrO2 Sleep and Snore Device
  
  
• ProSomnus [IA] Sleep and Snore Device

Other Appliances

There are a number of dental devices that can be used to alleviate this condition. The goal of most of these devices is to separate the jaws and push them forward slightly.  This slight repositioning opens up the airway, and allows oxygen to flow freely again.  Wearers of sleep apnea dental devices report that they stop loud snoring, feel more rested in the daytime, and are much more comfortable going to sleep.  Sleep apnea appliances work best on patients who are not significantly overweight. They offer a viable alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).

A Permanent Solution With Surgery

A more permanent solution is to have surgery that sections the lower jaw and helps pull the bone holding the tongue forward slightly. This surgery has an impressive success rate and is simple for the dentist or oral surgeon to perform. The dentist needs to formally make a diagnosis of each individual case before recommending the best course of action.

Contact Dr. Frost To Schedule A Consultation

If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea treatment or the appliances used, please contact Frost Dental Group.