As a sleep apnea dentist in Leawood, we can improve your life by helping to restore your energy levels. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition that impacts millions of people, often without them even realizing it. You may have the condition if you notice that you no longer have the energy levels that you used to, you find yourself snoring or choking at night, or you cannot stay awake late or when driving. If common activities are putting you to sleep or you family is complaining about your constant fatigue, now is the time to have yourself checked out. Your fatigue may be caused by a common and treatable condition.
The causes of obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the lower jaw falls backward at night and the tongue falls with it. The tongue can block the airways, making it difficult to breathe freely. As a result, the body spends the night gasping for air, choking or snoring. The body needs oxygen in order to function so if an individual is not getting enough of it during sleep, then the individual will wake up feeling tired and not function as well throughout the day.
As a sleep apnea dentist, we have a non-invasive and convenient way to treat this condition. After determining that a patient has sleep apnea, we will make an impression and measurements of the individual’s mouth. We will send this data to the dental lab in order to create a personalized removable oral appliance to wear at night. This device is so small that it looks similar to a full retainer.
Better sleep for a better life
Once the patient wears the device, it will keep the jaw in place so that it cannot fall backward and the tongue remains in a forward position. The appliance is highly effective at increasing oxygen levels as well. As a sleep apnea dentist, we find that our patients report feeling more alert, more energized and generally optimistic after getting a better night’s sleep.
If you receive the diagnoses for sleep apnea, we can help you as well. A CPAP machine is the most common treatment from doctors. However, if your condition is mild to moderate, this solution is going to be far more comfortable and easier to use. A lot of people dislike the CPAP machine because it is loud, bulky, difficult to sleep with and can disturb their partner. Since it is large, it is also challenging to travel with. These barriers cause a lot of people to simply give up on their treatment, which is not wise.
As a sleep apnea dentist, we can fit you with an oral appliance to wear instead. This will be a more comfortable solution that is so small you can slip it in your pocket to carry. It makes no noise and is entirely discreet. You can even put it in after the lights are out and no one will notice. This can also be used in combination with a CPAP machine if you are simply looking to make that solution more comfortable. To learn more, call us at (913) 440-4199 and schedule a consultation today.