Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you’ve been snoring loudly and waking up feeling just as exhausted as you did before going to sleep the night before, it’s time to call VL Dental to talk about sleep apnea. We can help you find the right professionals for diagnosis, and for many patients, we can offer comfortable, convenient oral appliance therapy that keeps your airway clear through the night without the need for a loud, uncomfortable CPAP system. Stop feeling exhausted and start feeling like yourself again with help from the team of experts at VL Dental.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep conditions – second only to somnambulism (sleep walking). The word “apnea” refers to a cessation of breath. Those who suffer from sleep apnea will stop breathing for ten or more seconds numerous times during sleep. In the most severe cases, patients can experience 100s of apnea events each hour. There are two main forms of this condition – central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure within the brain to trigger breathing. This condition is very unsafe, and it can even lead to death if left untreated. You will need to work with one or more specialists to treat this form of sleep apnea. The more common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the airway is physically blocked during sleep. This blockage leads to vibration that causes the loud snoring that is common among patients with sleep apnea. While still a serious health concern, obstructive sleep apnea is more responsive to a number of treatment options.

Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

The only way to know for certain that you’re suffering from sleep apnea is to schedule a sleep study through a local specialist. However, you may want to consider seeking treatment if you notice any of the following common warning signs:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Waking with headache
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering specific details

Why Should I Visit a Dentist to Treat Sleep Apnea?

You may not immediately think of it, but dentists are actually the ideal practitioners to provide treatments that address the function of your airway. Dentists have advanced training in oral and facial structures and the way they interact, so they can offer you expert treatment options to ensure you can sleep and breathe deeply through the night. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea but the traditional CPAP system therapy isn’t working for you, it may be time to visit our Richmond dentist to talk about an alternative. Custom crafted oral appliances from VL Dental allow you to sleep and breathe deeply through the night without worrying about obstruction.

How do Oral Appliances Work?

Oral appliances work by repositioning the jaw to place pressure on throat muscles. This prevents the excess of soft tissue from collapsing and blocking your airway. That means you can continue to breathe unimpeded through the night.