Sleep Apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can
leave you feeling fatigued and irritable despite ample sleep.
Millions of people live with sleep apnea and may not even know it. Seemingly minor symptoms that are left untreated can lead to serious medical issues over time.
At Bucks County Dental Sleep Medicine & TMJ Therapy, we offer a comprehensive and modern approach to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea with non-invasive, clinically-proven therapies.
CPAP Alternatives for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Our practice offers several alternatives to CPAP therapy that are just as effective as a CPAP machine, but without the cords, tubes, and mask.
Patients who have an active lifestyle or want to be mindful of others in the home often find success with one of the following treatment options:
- Oral appliance therapy
- Sleep-focused clear aligners
- Lifestyle changes
- Airway orthodontics
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is a comfortable treatment for those with sleep apnea caused by jaw and soft-tissue positioning during sleep. Your oral appliance is custom-made for you and looks and feels much like a mouthguard.
The oral appliance works to help by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue. This prevents your airway from being blocked by these tissues, keeping it open during the night and reducing collapsibility of the airway and snoring.
Myofunctional Therapy
Targeted throat exercises and myofunctional routines strengthen your airway muscles, helping them stay open while you sleep. We work closely with a local myofunctional therapist for our patients who need this type of therapy.
Airway Focused Orthodontics
Airway orthodontics is a common treatment approach for children, helping guide their airway development by addressing the structure of their jaw and dental arches. Methods include palatal expansion, braces, or other orthodontic techniques.
Adults can benefit from airway orthodontics, too, depending on the severity of symptoms and what best fits their needs.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle adjustments can also improve your overall health and sleep positioning if these factors are contributing to your sleep apnea.
- Cutting back on alcohol consumption: Alcohol is a substance that acts as a sedative. It can relax the throat muscles and make airway collapse more likely. Limiting consumption of alcohol, especially before bed, can greatly improve sleep quality.
- Examining Certain Medications: Some medications can also act as sedatives. Dr. Rickert and our team will happily collaborate with your other healthcare providers to determine whether a medication may be contributing to your sleep apnea symptoms.
- Positional Therapy: Sleeping on your back is one of the most common reasons for airway collapse. We can create a sleep training plan that helps you stay on your side while you sleep, keeping your airway open.
- Weight Management: In some cases, excess weight around the neck can contribute to airway obstruction. Even a small amount of weight loss can help reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.
Traditional CPAP Therapy
CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. This therapy is one of the longest-standing treatments for sleep apnea and is incredibly effective.
Unfortunately, because it involves a mask, a machine, and a need for a power source, a lot of people find it hard to comply with this therapy. CPAP only works if you use it every single night.
If you have a very active or outdoor-focused lifestyle, a CPAP can be hard to travel with, uncomfortable, and time-consuming to maintain.
Patient-Centered Treatment Plans
Our team looks beyond conventional CPAP therapy, focusing on non-invasive alternatives that are easier to incorporate into your nightly routine and lifestyle.
We prefer to discuss all available treatment options with you and decide together which therapy will be best, which includes traditional CPAP therapy if it’s the best option for you.
Our goal is to help you achieve healthier breathing for healthier sleep and a more comfortable, healthier life.
FAQs
What are common symptoms of sleep apnea?
You may have sleep apnea if you experience the following:
- Feeling fatigued
- Falling asleep in the middle of the day, even during active tasks like driving
- Irritability
- Waking up with headaches
- Very loud snoring
- Gasping/choking during sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
Why is sleep apnea considered dangerous?
When sleep apnea is left untreated, and your breathing is disrupted for long periods of time, you are more at risk of developing:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
Can you have sleep apnea if you don’t snore?
Yes! While snoring is a very common symptom, not everyone who experiences sleep apnea snores.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is normally diagnosed with a sleep study (polysomnography). Many sleep studies can now be completed comfortably at home.