The first step in our sleep disorder treatment is a diagnostic in-laboratory sleep study. This will assess your breathing, sleep stages, heart rate, and limb movements.
If you have obstructive or central sleep apnea, our Duke ENT specialists can help you regain restful sleep. Call us for a consultation today!
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
Worn only while sleeping, a custom-fitted oral sleep appliance is a primary alternative to the CPAP machine and can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. A mouthpiece that looks much like a sports retainer or a mouthguard, these appliances prevent the tongue from falling back and blocking the airway, and advance the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open.
Designed by our experienced dentists, these custom-made oral appliances are fabricated to fit your unique dental structure. They are comfortable, portable and effective, and many patients find that their snoring and obstructive sleep apnea treatment Raleigh NC resolve once they begin wearing their device regularly.
This form of non-invasive treatment is especially popular with patients who cannot tolerate the loud, bulky CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, which require a mask that delivers pressurized air to the nose and mouth. Studies show that a custom oral appliance, such as the mandibular advancement devices (MADs) we offer at Stansell Dentistry Associates, is more comfortable and easier to use than CPAP, with higher reported nightly usage leading to better sleep and less daytime drowsiness for patients.
Oral appliances are also highly successful for children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, and our team will be happy to help your child develop healthy sleep habits early on to prevent obstructive sleep apnea as they grow. If you have questions about sleep apnea and how to treat it, call us today!
CPAP Machines
Sleep apnea is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Excessive snoring, daytime fatigue and impaired concentration are among the most common symptoms. Untreated, sleep apnea can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure and stroke. It can also increase your risk of depression and damage your memory. CPAP is an effective treatment for sleep apnea and is used by millions of people worldwide. The device consists of a mask and flexible tubing that transfers oxygen into your nose or mouth while you sleep. This consistent flow of air prevents the collapse of your throat and keeps your breathing from stopping for extended periods of time.
In addition to improving your sleep, CPAP reduces or eliminates the loud and disruptive snoring that many people associate with sleep apnea. It can also improve your mood and boost your energy levels. Using CPAP consistently can lower your risks for serious health issues that are associated with sleep apnea, including heart disease and diabetes.
Raleigh Capitol ENT provides sleep apnea treatment Raleigh NC oral appliances and CPAP machines to patients in the North Raleigh area. The first step in diagnosing a sleep disorder is undergoing a polysomnogram or “sleep study.” You will spend the night at a clinic connected to monitors that will record brain activity, body movement, breath and oxygen levels. From this data, a specialist will determine your condition and recommend treatment.
Snore Guards
Obstructive sleep apnea causes momentary pauses in breathing that can last for seconds or minutes while you are sleeping. These pauses in breathing can occur hundreds of times each night and lead to poor quality sleep. It can also lead to other health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes & acid reflux.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy which involves wearing a mask while you are asleep and a machine that pumps air into your throat. This type of sleep apnea treatment is uncomfortable for many patients & can be difficult to get used to. However, North Raleigh Periodontics has a solution that is both more comfortable and more effective.
We offer a variety of sleep apnea mouth guards that are designed to keep your jaw and tongue in a more comfortable position while you are asleep. These devices, which look similar to sports mouthguards, help prevent your tongue from collapsing into your throat and block your airway. These oral appliances are more comfortable than CPAP and they can be more effective in treating mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea.
A snore guard can be a very effective sleep apnea treatment for patients who have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. Our snore guards, also called mandibular advancement devices (MAD), are custom-made to fit your mouth and teeth and they work by moving your lower jaw forward slightly, which tightens the muscles in your throat and prevents them from relaxing during sleep causing obstruction.
Surgery
Aside from lifestyle changes like losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol, obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with oral appliances or jaw surgery. Surgical treatment is a more invasive option, but it can be effective in treating severe cases of OSA.
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the collapse of tissue in the throat. When this happens, the airway is blocked for a short period of time, leading to a drop in oxygen levels in the blood. Symptoms of this condition include excessive snoring, fatigue, sore throat, and a feeling that you can’t get restful sleep.
This condition is also associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Left untreated, the symptoms of sleep apnea can turn into serious problems like irritability, depression, and memory loss.
The first step in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea involves undergoing an overnight sleep study, which is referred to as a polysomnogram. During this test, a technician will monitor your breathing throughout the night while measuring various metrics. The results will help the ear nose and throat specialist determine if you have sleep apnea treatment Raleigh NC, which type, and if it’s mild to moderate or severe. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan. In addition to oral appliances and CPAP therapy, other options may include weight loss, avoiding alcohol, and reducing the amount of sedatives you consume.