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Does your partner complain about your loud snoring and worry about the choking sounds that you make? Don’t ignore them; you may have a sleep disorder and you should see your doctor or a sleep doctor. Once treated, the morning headaches will stop and you will not feel so tired during the day.
Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) a Type of Sleep Apnea?
OSA is a sleep disorder that occurs when your soft palate collapses and your tongue falls back, blocking your airway and triggering gasping noises when you wake up to get oxygen. OSA is one particular type of sleep apnea. You may not fully wake up when you can’t breathe; therefore, you may not realize that you are sleep deprived.
What Are the Signs of OSA?
Sleep apnea symptoms to watch for include:
- Trouble concentrating
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Loud snoring
- Becoming irritated easily
Your dentist may notice signs, such as dry mouth, as well. Should you present signs, your dentist will refer you to a physician for a sleep study so you can get help for sleep apnea in San Antonio. The sleep study will determine if you have mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea by counting the apnea events each hour. During each apnea event, you can stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer.
What Is the Primary Cause of OSA?
The primary predisposing factor for OSA is being overweight. Although there are other sleep apnea causes, losing weight will significantly reduce your OSA symptoms. It is important to seek treatment while losing weight; when you struggle for air at night, you raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of having a stroke.
Other factors that put a person at risk for obstructive apnea include:
- Using sedatives
- Drinking alcohol excessively
- A family history of OSA
What Types of Sleep Apnea Treatment Are Available?
One treatment option for OSA is using a CPAP machine, which keeps air flowing through a mask that you wear at night. Some people find the mask uncomfortable or inconvenient, especially if they travel frequently.
A sleep apnea mouth guard is a convenient alternative to a CPAP machine or surgery, which is another option reserved as a last resort if no other treatment is effective. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea in San Antonio, contact our dental office to learn more about how a custom oral appliance may improve your sleep quality.
Dental Appliance for Sleep Apnea
Is an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Effective?
An custom-made oral appliance is a repositioning device that can prevent the collapse of your tongue and soft palate. It resembles a retainer, and since it is made from a mold of your teeth, it is easy to get used to wearing one.
What Does a Sleep Apnea Mouthpiece Cost?
Your cost depends on the type of oral appliance that your dentist suggests and if you have medical insurance coverage that will cover all or part of the cost. Please call us to learn more about the cost for an oral appliance for sleep apnea in San Antonio.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy involves you wearing your appliance and possibly having it adjusted for maximum results. Some people feel a dramatic difference in how refreshed they feel in just one day. You’ll have another sleep study done to verify that the oral appliance is helping.
Will My Medical Insurance Cover an Oral Appliance?
While coverage varies widely, many insurance companies will cover oral appliances. The medical conditions linked to high blood pressure and oxygen deprivation, which are very expensive to treat, make paying for an oral appliance worthwhile to insurers.
CareCredit
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“South Texas Orthodontics is great! The orthodontic assistants that handle most of the appointment, know their job well and are so nice and helpful. The front receptionists are always friendly and welcoming. Dr. B is wonderful and professional. One daughter down, one to go! lol”
Barbara S.
“Great staff who made the process of braces much easier and simpler. All of my siblings and I have gone to South Texas and we would not want to go to anyone else!”
Brynn B.
“Dr. Bruchmiller is wonderful!!!! He cares for his patients not only by working on their dental work but getting to know them by asking how their day was at school, etc. My daughter felt comfortable and loved all the staff at South Texas Orthodontist! Tiffany also worked on my daughter’s dental work, and she is such a wonderful caring person; she would check on my daughter to make sure she was ok!”
Crystal R.
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Cassandra A.
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Jillian M.
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John G.
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