Sleep apnea is a condition that affects one in three people in the States.
The most commonly identified symptom of this condition is snoring, but not all who snore may necessarily suffer from sleep apnea whereas all those with sleep apnea are susceptible to snoring. This makes diagnosing the condition very tricky and is treatable in early stages where it isn’t as life-threatening. Most probable remedies to this condition are conducted by dental professionals, usually prescribing
dental implants to combat this irregularity.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles of the airways relax to the point where breathing becomes ragged and results in snoring. There are identifiable pauses in breathing during sleep that can become life-threatening in severe cases. Over time this causes imbalances in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is treated easily using dental implants and devices that force air through the narrowed airways in order to restore proper breathing over time. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the airways to execute breathing. It is also related to serious heart conditions and should be diagnosed by a dentist before it becomes a serious issue.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
The dentist conducts various tests to effectively diagnose the condition and prescribe the appropriate treatment necessary. In most common cases, the initial line of treatment involves discarding some habits such as smoking, tranquilizer use, and alcohol, among others that have the probability to aggravate this condition. Primitive treatments included dental masks that forcefully kept the airways open during sleep. However, less intrusive treatments, like dental implants, have become more popular as well as effective. These devices gently ease the jaw and tongue forward in order to free up the airways. These are easy to use and do not cause discomfort when wearing them to sleep.
Other treatments for sleep apnea require surgeries that adjust the position of the jaw and tongue slightly in order to allow a more permanent solution to blocked airways. This treatment boasts of a high rate of success. It requires a simple process on part of the dental care professional and is widely popular as treatment for sleep apnea. However, depending on the condition, dentists can prefer to use dental implants and other devices.
Dental devices for sleep apnea
Dental professionals often prefer prescribing dental devices for treating mild cases of sleep apnea. Most commonly, it is prescribed for those with a penchant for sleeping on their stomach or back. In these cases, these devices are most effective in increasing airflow in the oral cavity and subsequently improve breathing patterns which is crucial in treating this condition.
These devices can also help in reducing snoring, improve dental health, reducing nasal pressure, and even restructure the jaw for a more permanent solution to restricted breathing. Sleep apnea is best treated with less intrusive dental devices and it is advisable to concur with your dental professional’s recommendation for best results.
We offer
Dental Implants in Fort Worth, and other Texas locations, Call Today!
