Do you or a family member snore at night? Are you experiencing persistent fatigue due to interrupted sleep? These can be key signs of sleep apnea. At our dental practice, Dr. Plaisance offers comprehensive sleep apnea solutions with custom dental appliances designed to help patients achieve restful, uninterrupted sleep. Dr. Plaisance is among the few dentists in the Sandy Springs area certified to treat sleep apnea.
Snoring can stem from various factors. Most commonly, it happens when the muscles and soft tissues in your throat and mouth relax, narrowing your airway. As air tries to pass through this smaller space, it causes the soft tissues to vibrate, producing the sound of snoring. Other contributors include:
If you notice these symptoms, please watch our educational video and reach out to us with your concerns.
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder marked by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. The term “apnea” comes from Greek, meaning “without breath.” These breathing pauses can last several seconds to minutes, sometimes occurring 30 or more times per hour. Such disruptions limit oxygen intake and prevent carbon dioxide from leaving your body efficiently.
When this imbalance occurs, your brain signals your body to briefly wake up and resume breathing. This partial awakening can be accompanied by loud snoring or choking. Many individuals with sleep apnea are unaware of these events since they don’t fully wake up. As a result, sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed.
There are two main types of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea, where the brain doesn’t send the correct signals to control breathing, and obstructive sleep apnea, where airflow is blocked despite ongoing breathing efforts. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and is often treatable through dental intervention.
Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea include frequent morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and ongoing insomnia. Fortunately, dental professionals have the expertise and technology to treat sleep apnea in several ways.
If you suspect sleep apnea, it’s crucial to seek professional help promptly. Sufferers may stop breathing numerous times per hour, posing dangerous health risks. Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses, blocking airflow and causing the tongue to fall back as well, tightening the obstruction even more. The body then struggles harder to breathe, which increases blockage. To restore airflow, the patient must wake up enough to move the tongue and open the airway.
Ongoing sleep apnea leads to dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood and reduced oxygen, making the heart work harder. This can result in “dying” briefly many times each night and is linked to serious heart conditions. Early investigation and treatment by a dental specialist are essential.
To begin, our dentist will conduct thorough assessments to determine the right diagnosis and best treatment approach. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the individual’s condition and overall health. Our dentist might suggest lifestyle changes—such as stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and avoiding sedatives—that can contribute to sleep apnea.
While CPAP masks were once the standard treatment to keep airways open, less invasive options are now available. Custom dental appliances are designed to gently shift the lower jaw forward, preventing the tongue from blocking the airway. These devices are comfortable, easy to wear, and can often eliminate the need for surgery.
In some cases, surgical procedures may be considered, such as repositioning the lower jaw to move the tongue forward. This method has a strong track record of success and is straightforward for a dentist or oral surgeon to perform. Each case is carefully evaluated before any treatment recommendation is made.
If you think you could benefit from our Sandy Springs sleep apnea treatment, contact our office today to schedule your consultation. We’re here to help you achieve healthy, restorative sleep.
