General Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
BOTOX
Emergency Dental Care
sleep apnea and snoring
dental technology
About Periodontal Disease
oral health and wellness
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is becoming increasingly common across all age groups. People who have it experience repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the night, which prevents them from getting truly restorative sleep. Many wake up feeling just as exhausted as when they went to bed.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and narrow to the point of blocking the airway. This most often happens while lying down. Some people wake up choking or gasping; others have no awareness it is happening at all. In either case, the brain senses the disruption and briefly rouses the person to restore normal breathing.
Signs You May Need Sleep Apnea Treatment
Loud snoring, morning headaches, gasping or choking during the night, difficulty concentrating, waking up exhausted, irritability, and dry mouth in the morning are all potential warning signs. If any of these sound familiar, it is worth seeking evaluation.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is a well-established non-CPAP option for managing obstructive sleep apnea.
There are a few signs that you may have sleep apnea. Do any of the following apply to you?
If so, then you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
- Loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- Gasping or choking in the night for air
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking up exhausted
- Easily irritated
- Dry mouth in the morning
Why Choose Lane Family Dentistry?
Whether sleep apnea is something you have been dealing with for a while or a concern you just discovered, our team is here to help. We take this condition seriously and understand how much it can affect your daily life.
Dr. Lane has advanced training in sleep-related dental care and our office is equipped to provide custom oral appliances that help keep the airway open and allow patients to finally get the rest they need.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions but prefer not to call? Browse our FAQs for quick answers and a better understanding of our dental office and services.
Dentists can specialize in dental sleep medicine and work to treat the effects of sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy.
Dentists may recommend a cPAP machine that you would wear at night to push air through the oral and nasal passages to keep soft tissue from collapsing and cutting off your air supply. However, many dentists find that more milder forms of sleep apnea can simply be treated with an oral appliance (similar to a mouthguard) that keeps the lower jaw and tongue in a position to minimize any obstruction.