While many sleep apnea sufferers would simply call a sleep center to have a sleep study performed, more and more patients are seeking help from dentists. After all, dentists are highly knowledgeable in treating conditions that involve the musculature of the throat and oral cavity.

in order to reduce the space it takes up and clear the airway. Studies show this surgery can be successful for reducing OSA symptoms, especially when paired with other surgical procedures.

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The sleep study, its analysis, and interpretation are part of a complex process. Many hours of work are required by specially trained professionals to process or “score” the large amount of data recorded during the study.

There are different types of treatments for sleep apnea, but an oral appliance is one of the most effective.

CPAP machines only push out air at one rate, which is calibrated by the doctor to the average rate needed by the sleeper. Since some people have trouble tolerating this continuous level of air pressure, other options are available.

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Our physicians also will want to know how loudly and often you here snore or make gasping or choking sounds during sleep. Often you’re not aware of such symptoms and must ask a family member or bed partner to report them.

APAP (automatic positive airflow pressure) machine. This kind checks your breathing throughout the night. It automatically adjusts the air pressure to compensate for changes in your sleep position or medications that may have changed your breathing.

Sometimes doctors prescribe a bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP or BPAP) machine when a person with sleep apnea cannot tolerate CPAP. The BiPAP machine operates similarly to a CPAP machine, with a connected tube that pushes air into a mask to keep the airway open.

When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you can be drowsy during the day. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for car crashes, work-related accidents, and other medical problems.

Refer patients at risk to qualified physicians for diagnosis and prescription of an appropriate therapy

Without anything obstructing this flow of oxygen, your breathing doesn’t pause. As a result, you don’t repeatedly wake up in order to resume breathing.

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