Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Hidden Signs
Imagine your body taking a break from breathing multiple times a night without your conscious control. That’s exactly what happens during sleep apnea episodes. Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring or feeling tired. It’s a serious condition where your breathing stops and starts repeatedly while you sleep. There are primarily two types we see:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the one we encounter most often. It happens when the soft tissue at the back of your throat collapses and blocks your airway during sleep. Think of it as a temporary roadblock in your throat; when the air can’t get through, neither can your breath.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Less common but equally concerning, central sleep apnea occurs when there’s a hiccup in the communication between your brain and the muscles that help you breathe. Unlike OSA, it’s not a blockage that’s the problem, but rather a signalling issue, causing pauses in your breathing pattern.
Spotting the Signs: Are you the one who’s always snoring loudly? Or maybe you wake up feeling like you haven’t slept at all? Here are a few signs to watch out for:
- Regular, loud snoring with silent pauses
- Sudden gasps or choking noises during sleep
- Waking up with a headache or dry mouth
- Feeling unusually sleepy or irritable during the day
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
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The Impact of Oral Appliance Therapy on Overall Health
Treating sleep apnea is not solely for better rest; it’s a step towards improving your general health and life experience. Here’s what you need to know:
- More Than Just Snoring: Sure, snoring is what you might notice first, but sleep apnea is much more than just nighttime noise. It messes with your sleep cycle and starves your body of vital oxygen, which can lead to all sorts of health problems. It’s not just annoying; it’s a serious health risk.
- A Chain Reaction of Health Issues: Did you know untreated sleep apnea could lead to big health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even strokes? But the good news is, by treating your sleep apnea, you’re also helping protect your heart, brain, and overall health.
- Sharper Mind, Happier You: We all know how rough we feel after a bad night’s sleep. When you have sleep apnea, that’s your reality every day. Treating it can really turn things around, boosting your mood, brain function, and emotional well-being, and just making your days better.
- Energy for the Good Life: Tired of feeling tired all the time? Addressing your sleep apnea can help you shake off that constant fatigue so you can really enjoy life again.
- Taking Treatment to Heart: It might seem like a hassle to deal with treatment, but modern options are more user-friendly than ever. Whether it’s wearing a CPAP mask, using an oral appliance, or making some lifestyle changes, there’s definitely a treatment that can work for you.
- We’re in This Together: Starting on this path might feel overwhelming, but remember, you’re not doing this alone. Our team is here to help you get a handle on your condition, look into your options, and find the best treatment for you. We’re on this journey with you to better sleep and better health.
Experience Custom Fit & Custom Comfort
What are the major differences between Oral Appliance Therapy & CPAP?
When addressing sleep apnea, exploring diverse treatment options is crucial. Two leading methods, Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), present distinct advantages. Let’s examine these approaches to assist you in making an informed decision for your needs.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT):
- Tailored Comfort: OAT provides a personalized approach with custom-fitted appliances, ensuring a comfortable fit that accommodates natural sleep movements.
- Quiet and Portable: Operating silently and discreetly, oral appliances are a convenient, travel-friendly solution, eliminating the need for bulky equipment.
- User-Friendly Design: Known for its simplicity, OAT eliminates hoses, masks, and noisy machinery, promoting higher patient compliance.
- Personalized Treatment: Crafted to meet individual needs, each oral appliance is customized to align with personal comfort requirements, ensuring effective sleep apnea treatment.
CPAP:
- Proven Effectiveness: CPAP, a tried-and-true treatment, involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that delivers a continuous air stream, highly effective in maintaining open airways.
- Medical Community Trust: Widely accepted in the medical community, CPAP’s established track record makes it a dependable choice for many patients.
- Adherence Challenges: While effective, strict adherence to nightly mask use may be challenging for some CPAP users due to potential discomfort.
- Potential Discomfort and Considerations: CPAP may cause discomfort, such as bloating and aerophagia. Additional measures like humidifiers may be needed for dryness and irritation. The bulkier, less portable nature of CPAP machines can pose travel challenges, and maintenance requirements may be time-consuming, potentially affecting user adherence. An initial adaptation period is not uncommon with CPAP therapy.
What to Expect
Here’s the roadmap:
Evaluation
The first step on your path to better sleep is a thorough evaluation by Dr. Adam Altdorfer. During this initial consultation, you’ll discuss your symptoms and medical history. Dr. Altdorfer will examine your situation to decide if Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is right for you, tailored to your health requirements and personal situation.
A Custom Fit
Should OAT be the right path, the next step is to personalize your oral appliance. This involves taking detailed impressions of your teeth to guarantee your device fits snugly and works as intended. In your fitting session, Dr. Altdorfer will fine-tune the appliance for an ideal fit and guide you on how to properly use and maintain it.
Follow Up
Adapting to your new appliance might take a bit of time and small tweaks. We arrange follow-up appointments to check how your appliance fits, adjust it if needed, and monitor your treatment’s progress. These visits are crucial to ensuring you get the most out of your Oral Appliance Therapy.
Aftercare
Our support doesn’t stop after the initial treatment. Regular appointments are key to our continuous care, allowing us to track your appliance’s effectiveness, respond to any changes in your health, and guarantee ongoing success in your sleep apnea management. We’re committed to your long-term health, ensuring you maintain the improved sleep quality and overall well-being.
Dr. Adam Altdorfer
Dentist / Owner
A Dentist's Quest For Better Rest, Meet Dr. Adam
Nothing bothers me more than a night of poor sleep. It can really put a cloud over an otherwise sunny day if you know what I mean. I snore, my brothers snore, my dad snores… even my dogs snore! I definitely know what it’s like to wake up and feel like I’ve not slept at all. Not surprisingly, several of my family members have tested positive for obstructive sleep apnea. After learning more about the terrifying implications of this diagnosis, I never thought about sleep the same again! In fact, this is where my journey and passion for treating obstructive sleep apnea began. I strive to bring awareness about this disease to my patients that exhibit symptoms because most people don’t realize that this is the reason they are not feeling great or performing well. Having seen the transformation of so many people, especially close relatives, I know the life-changing effect proper management of this disease can bring about. It brings me joy knowing that as a dentist trained by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, I am able to provide a service that brings others so much joy and, quite frankly, a longer and healthier life! So many people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea don’t realize how this can be linked to their other chronic diseases that are shortening their lives. Or just simply causing them to be so drowsy during the day that they fall asleep at the steering wheel only to wake up in an ambulance one day. I am happy I am able to make a difference and help these people and their families live a better life. Because let’s face it, nobody likes sleeping next to someone that snores! If you or a loved one is one of these people, I hope you will let me help you get a better night’s rest too. Snore less. Dream more. Feel better!
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
How Much is Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea in Thornton, CO
Starting your path to improved sleep and health involves getting to know the financial side of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). At our Thornton, Colorado clinic, we’re committed to clear communication, giving you all the details you need to understand the costs involved with OAT.
Free Initial Consultation & Screening: We want to ensure the beginning of your journey is easy and accessible. That’s why we offer a complimentary first consultation. In this session, we’ll talk about your symptoms related to sleep and perform a basic screening as part of our standard dental check-ups. This process helps us pinpoint your needs without impacting your wallet.
The Appliance Costs: The key to OAT is your tailor-made oral appliance. Here in Thornton, prices for these devices usually fall between $1,800 and $3,500. This price covers the personalization and materials needed to make sure your appliance fits well and works effectively. We’ll walk you through the different options, making sure we select the best one that fits both your health requirements and budget.
Follow-Up Appointments: Our dedication to your health includes necessary follow-up appointments to adjust and perfect your appliance. Although the initial consultation is on the house, follow-up care is a pivotal part of successful therapy. These appointments generally range from $150 to $350, depending on the specifics of the visit. Our aim is to make these check-ups as efficient and beneficial as possible, ensuring you get the most out of your ongoing treatment.
Insurance Assistance: Navigating your insurance benefits is crucial for making your care more affordable. We welcome a variety of major insurance providers, such as UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, and Humana, among others. We know insurance can be tricky, which is why our knowledgeable staff is here to support you. We’ll help you figure out your coverage, estimate your expenses, and optimize your benefits to make your treatment as cost-effective as possible.
The Value of Long-Term Health: Opting for OAT is not just about immediate results; it’s an investment in your future health. The benefits extend beyond just improved sleep and less snoring; treating sleep apnea can lead to significant long-term health savings and a better life quality.
Our team in Thornton is dedicated to assisting you through every step of your health journey. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about our services or to learn more about our complimentary consultation and screening process.
Frequently Asked Questions
OAT is a treatment for sleep apnea that involves wearing a custom-fitted appliance in the mouth during sleep. It’s mainly used to treat OSA by keeping the airway open.
The appliance works by slightly advancing your lower jaw or holding your tongue in a certain position to keep the airway open during sleep.
OAT is suitable for people with mild to moderate OSA, those who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, or individuals who prefer a more portable solution.
For many patients, OAT is highly effective, particularly in mild to moderate cases of OSA. It can significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms of snoring and apnea
The process typically involves taking impressions of your teeth and measurements of your jaw to create a custom-fitted device.
Most people find OAT more comfortable than CPAP therapy. There may be an adjustment period, but most adapt quickly to wearing the appliance.
With proper care, an oral appliance can last several years. Regular check-ups will help ensure it remains effective and well-maintained.
Many patients notice improvements in their sleep quality and reduction in snoring within a few days to weeks of using the appliance.
