Sleep Apnea Treatment Justin
Helping You Breathe and Sleep Better
Sleep apnea affects millions of people in the United States. Its symptoms can often be misdiagnosed, causing individuals to suffer from chronic fatigue day after day. Without the help of a professional, the effects can worsen, leading to more serious overall health complications.
However, with sleep apnea treatment in Justin, Dr. Zhang can provide a customized oral appliance to help you breathe better and finally get the rest you need. If you snore or regularly wake up feeling fatigued, call our office to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose ForestLeaf Dental of Justin for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Customized Oral Appliance Treatment Available
- Convenient At-Home Sleep Testing for Patients
- Friendly & Personable Dentist & Dental Team
What Is Sleep Apnea?
When you wake up fatigued because of frequent interruptions throughout the night, which are often caused by ceasing breathing, you have what is known as sleep apnea. With obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most common form, it can occur once or even one hundred times each night. As the throat muscles relax, they can collapse onto the airway, creating a blockage that prevents free-flowing air from passing through. As a result, you may wake up gasping for air.
This repeated event can lead to daytime drowsiness, dangerous driving, irritability, forgetfulness, and more serious health conditions, such as heart attack and stroke.
At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing
To determine if you have sleep apnea, you’ll be required to undergo an at-home test that monitors your vitals as well as your sleep habits. Much more convenient than a lab-based test, you can remain in the comfort of your home while wearing a portable device that tracks your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and more.
Once the test is complete, the data will be analyzed to determine if you have sleep apnea and can move forward with treatment.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
If you know much about sleep apnea, you may be familiar with the term “CPAP.” Short for continuous positive airway pressure, its ability to treat the condition by keeping the airway open throughout the night makes it a reliable solution for many patients. However, there are some downfalls to CPAP therapy, such as:
- It is loud, so individuals often have a hard time falling asleep (and staying asleep)
- The device is bulky and contains many tubes that can be difficult to maneuver
- It is not easy to travel with, as it requires a separate carrying bag and, in some cases, must be approved by certain airlines
Fortunately, there is an alternative option that is far more user-friendly – oral appliance treatment. Similar to a traditional mouthguard, this device is custom-made to treat sleep apnea. When worn at night, the appliance moves the jaw forward slightly so that the airway remains open and prevents any attempt for a blockage.