Toggle navigation
1801 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613

(773) 327-1818
(773) 327-1820 (Fax)
[email protected] (Email)
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • blog

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

Your Dentist can Help Guide you in the Best Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Your Dentist can Help Guide you in the Best Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea

Your Dentist can Help Guide you in the Best Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea

By The Whole Tooth
March 01, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   sleep apnea   snoring  
YourDentistcanHelpGuideyouintheBestTreatmentOptionforSleepApnea

Do you still feel tired or unfocused even after a full night’s sleep? Do others complain about your snoring? It’s possible these are signs that you may have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing while you sleep. Your brain will awaken you to breathe, although you may not consciously realize it since the waking period can be less than a second. But it does disrupt your sleep rhythm, especially during the all-important deep sleep period called Rapid Eye Movement (REM). These disruptions don’t allow your body to receive the full benefit of sleep, hence your lack of energy and focus during the day.

One of the most common causes for sleep apnea is the collapse of soft tissues near the throat as they relax during sleep that restrict the airway. Snoring is an indication this may be occurring: air vibrates rapidly (and loudly) as it passes through this restriction when you breathe in.

As your dentist, we’re well-trained in the anatomy and function of the entire oral structure, and qualified to offer solutions for sleep apnea. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea (after a complete examination, including an observation session at a sleep laboratory), we can then help you decide on a treatment approach. The following are three such options, depending on the severity of your sleep apnea.

Oral Appliance Therapy. An oral appliance you wear while you sleep is a first line treatment for mild or moderate sleep apnea. The appliance, which we custom design for you, helps hold the lower jaw in a forward position: this moves the tongue and other soft structures away from the back of the throat, thereby opening the airway.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Intended for more moderate to severe forms of sleep apnea, a CPAP machine produces continuous air pressure to the throat through a mask you wear during sleep. This forces the tongue forward and the airway open.

Surgical Intervention. These procedures remove excess tissue that may be obstructing the airway. Due to its invasiveness and permanent alteration of the throat area, surgery is reserved for patients who haven’t responded to other therapies in a satisfactory manner.

Whether mild or severe, it’s possible to effectively treat sleep apnea. If successful, not only will you benefit from better sleep and greater alertness, you’ll also improve your long-term health.

If you would like more information on treating sleep apnea, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • Your Smile Can Be Your Passport to the World - Take Care of It With These Tips
      • November (3)
        • Waiting to Afford Implants? Consider a Flexible RPD in the Meantime
        • Miley Cyrus's Little Secret: Straightening Her Smile With Lingual Braces
        • 3 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Crown Restoration
      • October (3)
        • Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
        • The Digital Revolution Is Transforming Implant Therapy
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
      • September (3)
        • Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
        • 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
        • Watch Out for These Dental Health Issues as You Age
      • August (3)
        • Bruins' Zdeno Chara Breaks His Jaw During 2019 Stanley Cup
        • Patients with HIV Must Pay Close Attention to Their Oral Health
        • "Tooth, Heal Thyself" May Soon Be a Reality
      • July (3)
        • Floss First or Last? Here are Reasons for Either Approach
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
        • Bonding with Composite Resins Ideal for Restoring Chipped Teeth
      • June (3)
        • Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
        • The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
      • May (3)
        • Your Teenager not Ready for an Implant? Here's What We Can Do Instead
        • 4 Tips to Help you Quit the Smoking Habit
        • Your Teenager may need to Wait on an Implant for a Missing Tooth
      • April (3)
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • Why You Should Floss Around the Implants Supporting Your Bridge
        • To Fight Tooth Decay Reduce "BAD" factors, Promote "SAFE" Ones
      • March (4)
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Here's How to Manage School Snacks and Your Child's Dental Health
        • Your Dentist can Help Guide you in the Best Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea
      • February (2)
        • You May Need Your Dentist's Help Easing the Pain of Severe Canker Sores
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
      • January (3)
        • Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
        • Limit Acidic Beverages to Protect Your Child's Tooth Enamel from Erosion
        • Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • Keeping Your Smile Healthy Through the Holidays
        • Don't give up on Flossing!
        • FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
      • November (3)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Gaining a New Attractive Smile is More than Achievable
      • October (3)
        • Tell Your Dentist if You're Having a Shingles Outbreak
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Why You Need a Long-Term Dental Care Plan
      • September (3)
        • The True Cause of Your Gummy Smile Determines How We Treat it
        • Besides Your Health, Shingles Could Affect Your Dental Care
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • August (3)
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • Only a Dental Exam can Identify the Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
        • Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
      • July (3)
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Get Your Vitamins the Natural Way for Optimum Dental Health
        • Treating a Baby Tooth with Inner Decay can be Complicated - but Still Necessary
      • June (3)
        • A Smile Makeover Depends on Balancing Technique with Beauty
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • 4 Reasons why Quitting Chewing Tobacco is Good for Your Oral Health
      • May (3)
        • Your New Implants Need Proper Hygiene Just as Much as your Other Teeth
        • Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
      • April (2)
        • Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
      • March (3)
        • Advancing Gum Disease Requires Your Dentist's Intervention
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Developing a Dental Care Strategy Could Save Long-Term Costs
      • February (1)
        • Could Your Metal Allergy Keep You From Obtaining Dental Implants?
      • January (3)
        • Dentures Still an Effective Restoration for Total Tooth Loss
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Habits and Avoid Bad Ones
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Beyond Their Marketing Claims, Most Toothpastes are Surprisingly Similar
        • What You can do to Ease that Burning Sensation in Your Mouth
      • November (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • Issues to Consider Before Dental Implants
      • October (3)
        • Why Your Teeth Hurt Will Determine How We Treat Them
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • September (2)
        • A Teen with a Missing Tooth May Need to Wait on a Dental Implant
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • August (2)
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Threatens Your Dental Implant
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
      • July (2)
        • 3 Steps to a Better Bite and a More Attractive Smile
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • June (2)
        • Don't let Limited Finances Keep you From Needed Dental Care
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • May (2)
        • Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • April (2)
        • Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • March (3)
        • Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
      • February (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Adjust Your Diet to Accommodate TMD to Maximize Nutrition
      • January (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
      • November (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
      • October (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
      • September (3)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • What's Causing Your Toothache? The Answer Determines Your Treatment
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • August (2)
        • Your Options for Restoring a Chipped Tooth
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • July (2)
        • Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • June (2)
        • Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
        • A Royal Fix
      • May (2)
        • Quitting Smoking can Improve the Health of Your Teeth and Gums
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • April (2)
        • The Time Interval to Replant a Knocked Out Tooth Can Affect its Longevity
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • March (2)
        • Know the Kind of Smile You Want Before Cosmetic Dental Treatment
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • February (3)
        • Infection Control Standards Keep Dental Patients Safe from Disease
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • 3 Things to do to Prepare for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad
      • January (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • More Than a new Smile - Dental Implants Help Stop Bone Loss as Well
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Changes in Bone Structure can Affect Denture Fit
      • November (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
      • October (3)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Keeping Fluoride to Just the Right Amount Protects Your Family's Smiles
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
      • September (2)
        • Sleeping in Dentures: Don't Do It!
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • August (2)
        • Limiting Refined Sugar in Your Diet can Reduce Risk of Tooth Decay
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • July (2)
        • Customized Temporary Crowns Help Ensure a Satisfying Permanent Smile
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • June (2)
        • What Is A Baby Tooth Worth?
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • May (2)
        • High Tech Dentistry: How Do We Use a CAT Scan?
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Tooth Sensitivity FAQs
        • Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
      • March (2)
        • Put an End to Bad Oral Habits to Slow the Rate of Tooth Wear
        • Actor Ed Helms' Tooth-Yanking Trick: It Was a Dental Implant!
      • February (2)
        • Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
        • What Dental Device Does TV Host Vanna White Keep on her Nightstand?
      • January (2)
        • It's an Art: Determining Tooth Color in Composite Resin Restorations
        • Nancy O'Dell Speaks Out On Her Experiences With Pregnancy Gingivitis
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Test Your Dental Injuries IQ
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Determining the Right Whitening Approach is Key to Brightening a Dull Smile
      • November (2)
        • Braces Are No Hurdle for Olympic Track Star
        • Kicking the Tobacco Chewing Habit a Must for Long-Term Health
      • October (2)
        • Curt Schilling Blames Smokeless Tobacco for His Oral Cancer
        • Professional Cleanings Help you Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums
      • September (2)
        • A World-Class Smile
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
      • August (3)
        • Taylor Hicks: I Should Have Worn a Mouthguard!
        • Dental Health: Do You Make the Grade?
        • Avoiding the Jim Carrey Chipped-Tooth Look
      • July (1)
        • Work With Your Child's School to Encourage Healthy Snack Foods
      • June (3)
        • Did You Know? Matinee Idol James Dean Had False Front Teeth!
        • Preserving Your Teeth's Enamel Could Preserve Your Teeth
        • TV Anchor Nancy O'Dell Discusses Pregnancy and Oral Health
      • May (2)
        • What's a Crown Worth? Aesthetics and Value in Tooth Restoration
        • Actress Blythe Danner Is a Leader in the Fight Against Oral Cancer
      • April (2)
        • What's The Difference Between Bridgework and Dental Implants?
        • Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
      • March (3)
        • Take Care of Your Gums and They Will Take Care of You
        • Grandpa Knows Best: How Kristi Yamaguchi Manages Her Kids' Oral Health
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • oral health (29)
  • celebrity smiles (64)
  • oral hygiene (22)
  • inflammation (1)
  • gum disease (8)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • bleeding gums (1)
  • gingivitis (1)
  • dental implants (18)
  • bridgework (1)
  • oral cancer (6)
  • crown (3)
  • pregnancy (2)
  • smile makeover (4)
  • cosmetic dentistry (9)
  • nutrition (7)
  • chipped tooth (4)
  • dental health (1)
  • mouthguards (3)
  • root canal (1)
  • endodontics (1)
  • orthodontics (5)
  • dental cleanings (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (4)
  • braces (6)
  • teeth whitening (3)
  • chipped teeth (2)
  • sports dentistry (1)
  • dental emergencies (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • fillings (1)
  • nightguard (1)
  • grinding teeth (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • x-rays (1)
  • CAT scans (1)
  • baby teeth (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (5)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • crowns (4)
  • bad breath (1)
  • tooth decay (9)
  • dentures (3)
  • toothpaste (2)
  • fluoride (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • dental emergency (2)
  • infection control (1)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • dental injury (6)
  • smoking (2)
  • bonding (2)
  • sedation dentistry (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • toothache (2)
  • retainers (1)
  • medication (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • dry mouth (1)
  • wisdom teeth (3)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • sleep apnea (5)
  • snoring (5)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • partial dentures (1)
  • tooth pain (4)
  • burning mouth syndrome (1)
  • tobacco (1)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • shingles (2)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • dental visit (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • tooth erosion (1)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • canker sores (1)
  • dental implant (2)
  • bridge (1)
  • mouthrinse (1)
  • floss (1)
  • lingual braces (1)
  • removable partial denture (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (89)
  • Dental Procedures (75)

Featured Services

Introducing Invisalign®
The invisible way to straighten your teeth, without braces.

invisalign

The Zoom2 Chairside Whitening System

zoom

Our Location

1801 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 327-1818
(773) 327-1820 Fax
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map