SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT - GRAPEVINE, TX

STOP SNORING & SLEEP DEEPLY

Millions of Americans get up each morning feeling as if they never slept the night before. What might seem like hours of sleep for one person might only feel like minutes to someone who suffers from sleep apnea. At Smiles by Martin, we not only want to help you get the rest you need and deserve, but we also want to help you understand more about sleep apnea treatment in Grapevine and what we can do about this common sleep disorder. Contact us to schedule a sleep apnea consultation today.

WHY CHOOSE SMILES BY MARTIN FOR SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT?

Customized Sleep Treatment for Each Patient
Can Stop Even Severe Snoring
Viable CPAP Alternative

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for ten seconds or longer during sleep. These periods of breathlessness are detrimental to quality of sleep, elevate blood pressure, and cause several other health concerns. They can stem from the tissue of the mouth and throat blocking the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) or the brain not sending the correct signal to breathe (Central Sleep Apnea). The vast majority of sleep apnea cases fall into the OSA category.

THE DANGERS OF SLEEP APNEA

Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea may not realize they have it for many years. Why? It’s because some of the primary symptoms occur at night. If you don’t have a partner who can tell you when you stop breathing or if you snore, you can go years without realizing you have sleep apnea. However, there are other ways to tell, such as:

Daytime drowsiness
Morning headaches
Loss of libido
Forgetfulness or loss of memory
Sore or dry throat
Rapid weight gain/trouble losing weight
Irritability

Apart from the daily drowsiness you may feel, sleep apnea can also result in serious health problems:

Heart attack
Stroke
High blood pressure
Hypertension

When your breathing ceases, your brain must be triggered in order to alert your body to its need to breathe. If this happens hundreds of times each night, your blood pressure will rise each time, making you more susceptible to a cardiac event.

SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT OPTIONS

Traditionally, patients suffering from sleep apnea are treated by sleep doctors who provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which keeps the airway open throughout the night by forcing a steady flow of oxygen into the body. But for many patients, CPAP is not a realistic solution because it can be very disruptive and uncomfortable. At Smiles by Martin, we offer oral appliances for sleep apnea therapy in Grapevine as an effective alternative.

ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY

Custom-crafted oral appliances alleviate Obstructive Sleep Apnea by gently shifting the jaw forward while a patient sleeps. This slight adjustment in positioning causes the throat muscles to gently tighten, keeping the airway clear. Oral appliance therapy is a valid treatment option for patients suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea and those who are chronic snorers.

SLEEP APNEA FAQS

IF I DON’T SNORE, CAN I STILL HAVE SLEEP APNEA?

The easy answer to this is yes, you can most certainly have sleep apnea and not snore. Although one of the primary signs is chronic snoring, those who don’t snore are what some doctors refer to as “silent apneic.” This can signal that there is a complete blockage, and if left untreated, it can pose serious health problems.

HOW LONG DOES A SLEEP STUDY TYPICALLY TAKE?

You can expect the average sleep study to take between 9 and 10 hours. When arriving for your sleep study, the technician will spend a short time discussing the actual procedure. Then, they will attach various monitors and equipment, which can take as long as 45 minutes. The actual amount of time you’ll be required to “sleep” is six hours so a suitable amount of data can be obtained.

CAN SLEEP APNEA BE FATAL?

Sleep apnea itself cannot be fatal, but it drastically increases the risk that someone will experience a heart attack, stroke, or motor vehicle accident, which claim thousands of lives each year. That’s why it’s so important someone receives professional treatment as soon as possible—waiting can lead to some dire consequences!

CAN I USE DENTAL INSURANCE TO PAY FOR SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT?

In short, no. Sleep apnea is considered a medical issue, and as such, only health insurance can be used to help pay for treatment. This is true even if sleep care is being provided by a dentist! We know this can be a little confusing, but we’ll parse all of these details at your consultation so we can help you save as much as possible while getting what you need.