Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a pretty serious condition. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t even realize that their restless sleep and daytime exhaustion could be due to this common sleep disorder. If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it may be a good time to sit down with our Lexington, KY, dentists, and the team at Central Kentucky Dental Implant and Sleep Apnea Center to talk about your treatment options.

Sleep apnea affects how millions of Americans sleep every night. Those diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) will stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. This potentially life-threatening condition also increases your risk of certain health disorders like heart disease, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, and also makes you prone to more accidents, whether automobile or work-related, due to the excessive daytime exhaustion you may experience.

The standard course of treatment for sleep apnea is usually CPAP equipment, which delivers a steady, controlled stream of pressurized air through a hose that attaches to a facemask that is worn while you sleep. This air helps to keep your airways open to prevent obstruction and help you sleep better.

However, there are some people that experience CPAP intolerance, whether it’s due to latex allergies or mask leaks. If you haven’t found relief through CPAP equipment then it’s time to talk to us about whether oral appliance therapy could treat your OSA symptoms.

Oral appliance therapy is designed to treat those with mild to moderate OSA, and may actually eliminate the need for CPAP equipment or surgery. If you have severe OSA this oral appliance may also be used in conjunction with other treatments to help you manage your symptoms.

Each sleep apnea device is custom-fitted to your mouth to target and address your specific needs. Since all mouths are shaped differently, these devices cannot be one size fits all. This is why you need to turn to our qualified dentist in order to be properly fitted for your oral appliance.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes a person to stop breathing during sleep. In some cases, you may stop breathing hundreds of times in one sleep cycle. If you think you may have sleep apnea, contact our office for a consultation.

Sleep apnea may be caused by genetics, poor posture, allergies, enlarged tonsils, and other issues. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. This is caused by airways in the throat and mouth collapsing during sleep. If you have obstructive sleep apnea you or your partner may notice:

• Extended pauses in breathing during sleep
• Loud snoring
• Restless sleep
• Serious daytime sleepiness
• Irritability or personality change
• Poor memory or concentration
• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Depression

If left untreated, sleep apnea increases risks of:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Obesity
• Other serious health complications

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it's important you seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible to avoid further risk to your health.