Non-Surgical Solutions for All Ages
You may be surprised to learn that millions of Americans and approximately 936 million people worldwide suffer from some degree of sleep apnea (mild, moderate, or severe). OSA is the most common of the different types of sleep apnea and can present a whole host of both short- and long-term signs and symptoms. Sleep apnea is just one of many sleep-related breathing disorders that plague both children and adults in this country. It’s a misconception that Obstructive Sleep Apnea only affects older adults; even children can have OSA and other sleep-related breathing problems.
The sleep dentists at Family Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry in Jacksonville, NC, offer treatment to people of all ages. Effective OSA care doesn’t require surgery, medications, or an uncomfortable CPAP device. Dental sleep medicine, including Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), is an ever-evolving approach, and we’re excited to share the significant strides we’ve seen in its diagnosis and treatment. OAT has now replaced CPAP as the “gold standard” for managing this condition.
ProSomnus Oral Appliance for Better Sleep
We proudly offer the ProSomnus EVO and ProSomnus EVO Select oral appliances to our patients. Join thousands of users who are sleeping restfully without noisy CPAP machines, uncomfortable masks, or hoses. With ProSomnus Therapy, you can get a peaceful night’s sleep while reducing or eliminating snoring and other obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.
Thanks to ProSomnus oral appliances, patients worldwide have experienced life-changing improvements in their sleep quality, energy levels, and overall health. These custom-fitted devices are designed to keep your airway open and ensure uninterrupted breathing throughout the night. Learn more about ProSomnus Sleep Technologies.
“ProSomnus has been a game changer for my sleep apnea treatment. I’m finally able to sleep through the night without the discomfort of a CPAP machine.” – ProSomnus Patient Testimonial
Contact us today to discover how ProSomnus can help you enjoy a restful night’s sleep without the hassle of CPAP.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
While there are several types of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common. It occurs when the tissue in your airway becomes so relaxed that it blocks the free flow of air while you sleep. When an airway blockage occurs, the sleeping person will choke and gasp for air to breathe.
Stoppages in breathing due to a collapsed airway may happen hundreds of times per night and may last ten seconds or more. There is no way to get a good night’s sleep if you struggle to breathe all night. Snoring and sleep apnea typically go hand in hand, so if you snore, you likely have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and if you have OSA, you likely snore. Snoring is the sound you produce when forcing air through a blocked airway or nasal passage. It is estimated that OSA affects 10%-30% of adults in the United States.
Sleep Apnea Statistics
Here are some more statistics from various medical websites we have gathered to illustrate how prevalent sleep apnea is:
- Sleep apnea affects approximately 18 million Americans, which means that approximately 1 in every 15 Americans, or 6.62% of the total American population, has sleep apnea.
- 2-4% percent of all Americans have an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea, which means that approximately one in 50 adults is undiagnosed.
- According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, approximately 38,000 deaths occur each year from cardiovascular events that are connected to sleep apnea.
There are dental solutions for sleep apnea, and they don’t involve surgery or the uncomfortable CPAP machine.
Short-Term Sleep Apnea Symptoms
If you have sleep apnea, you may experience one, two, or several of the following symptoms:
- Daytime fatigue
- Sleepiness during the day
- Feeling exhausted upon waking
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Sore throat in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Brain fog
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Daytime fatigue
- Sleepiness during the day
- Feeling exhausted upon waking
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Sore throat in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Brain fog
- Anxiety
- Depression
Sleep Apnea-Related Conditions
As indicated in the statistics above, untreated OSA can lead to serious medical conditions. That’s why our practice is dedicated to providing effective, affordable treatment in Jacksonville, NC.
- Anxiety and/or depression: People with OSA often suffer from anxiety and depression, which only get worse over time as the condition progresses.
- Mental confusion: Many people with OSA experience brain fog throughout the day and find it very difficult to focus on simple tasks.
- Memory loss: Interrupted and/or poor-quality sleep will affect long- and short-term memory.
- Compromised immune system: People with sleep apnea often have a weakened immune system.
- Cardiovascular problems: Obstructive sleep apnea increases the likelihood of irregular heart rhythms and heart failure.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure is prevalent in people suffering from OSA.
- Stroke: There is an increased risk of stroke in sleep apneics.
- Diabetes: There is a link between Type II Diabetes and OSA; research is ongoing to understand this connection better.
- Respiratory issues: If left untreated, OSA may impact your respiratory function, causing breathing issues.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Oral Appliance Therapy is the new gold standard in sleep apnea treatment and is much preferred over CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). The efficacy of CPAP has never been in question, but patient compliance is extremely low in this treatment because so many people simply cannot tolerate the bulky nature of the breathing machine, the hose, and the noise.
We are excited to offer the ProSomnus EVO and ProSomnus EVO Select oral appliances. Thousands of patients have benefitted greatly from oral appliance therapy in the last several years, and you can, too, if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you’ve not yet been diagnosed, you can take a sleep study at home, which will provide our Jacksonville sleep dentists with the information they need to create a treatment plan custom-made for your type and severity of sleep apnea.
The mandibular repositioning oral appliances keep your mouth, jaw, and throat in optimal positions for sound, uninterrupted sleep with less snoring or complete cessation of snoring. In a matter of weeks, you will notice a marked improvement in your sleep, quality of life, energy level, mood, and physical health. These oral orthotics are made from digital impressions of your bite, so OAT provides you with the tailor-made treatment you need rather than an over-the-counter generic mouth guard that fits anyone and everyone.
Our dentists will review your sleep study findings, medical history, current dental situation, and general health before discussing a treatment plan for OSA. There is a great deal of information to consider; if, upon review, our dentist decides another sleep apnea treatment would be best for you, we will discuss that with you. Sometimes, sleep apnea can be greatly improved with simple behavior modifications like:
- Change in diet
- Avoidance of alcohol and caffeine late in the day
- Change in sleep position
- Change in pillow and/or mattress
- Removal of technology from the sleep ritual
- Change in schedule
– Change in sleep position
– Change in pillow and/or mattress
– Change in schedule
– Change in diet
– Avoidance of alcohol and caffeine late in the day
– Removal of technology from the sleep ritual
Contact Us Today
If you have sleep apnea and want to discuss treatment options, please schedule a no-cost consultation today by calling (910) 353-5171.. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our team members will reach out to answer any questions and help schedule your consultation. You need not suffer sleep apnea’s short- or long-term effects any longer. There is a practical, affordable treatment for sleep apnea right here in Jacksonville, NC, at Family Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry.
