Sleep apnea can be an extremely dangerous condition if left untreated. Does your family tell you that your snoring keeps them awake or have you even woken yourself up because you were snoring so loudly? The biggest threat is that you may quit breathing for a period of time, which can happen repeatedly during a night. That means that your brain becomes deprived of oxygen and leaves you at risk for a stroke or heart attack. Most people with sleep apnea in Utica, NY, feel overtired even after what they think is a full night’s sleep. Other symptoms can include depression, irritability, and you might find that you are waking up every morning with a headache and you are unable to concentrate.
Diagnosis
A dentist who has a specialty in sleep apnea will begin by having you keep a diary of your sleep for about two weeks. He or she may also refer you to a sleep doctor to perform a polysomnogram test to see what your heart, arms and legs, and legs do while you are sleeping. One of the technological advances that your dentist can use in diagnosing sleep apnea is an Optisleep Test. Another of the ways a dentist can help you is with Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT).
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)
OAT is extremely successful if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea. Your airway needs to remain open while you are sleeping to provide you a continuous stream of air. A dentist can provide you with a customized oral appliance which keeps your tongue from collapsing and blocking your throat. After you are fitted with an appliance, your dentist will schedule appointments to evaluate how well the therapy is progressing. At Zalatan Dental the dentists are using this modern 3D digital therapy in conjunction with 3d CAD/CAM CEREC to treat sleep apnea.
