Sleep Apnea Treatment West Loop Chicago

Better Sleep for
a Healthier You

The quality of your sleep is an incredibly important aspect of your overall health — something that our team cares about just as much as your oral health. If you’re feeling tired every morning and aren’t sure why, it may be due to untreated sleep apnea. The good news is that dentists are uniquely equipped to handle sleep apnea-related symptoms through custom oral appliances. Give us a call to learn how an oral appliance for sleep apnea in West Loop Chicago could help you get a better night’s sleep and address many of your chronic symptoms.

Why Choose Washington Dental Care West Loop for Sleep Apnea Treatment?

Utilizes CBCT Scanner to Evaluate Airway
Provides Custom-Made
Oral Appliances
Get Quick Results Through Non-Invasive Means

What is Sleep Apnea?

Tired man in need of sleep apnea therapy

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), oral structures such as the tongue and soft palate can block the airway and prevent healthy airflow as you sleep through the night. These episodes, known as apneas, cause moments where the body forces itself awake to kickstart breathing and prevent suffocation.

Loud, frequent snoring is one of the most common symptoms of OSA, but it may also cause issues like daytime exhaustion, morning headaches and sore throats, and frequent nighttime urination.

Other types of sleep apnea are less common than OSA. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to send proper breathing signals, and mixed sleep apnea has characteristics of both OSA and CSA.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

“Health status” list with a checkmark next to the word “poor”

Left untreated, sleep apnea can put your health and quality of life in jeopardy. For example, it is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.

It can also impact your emotional well-being. Consistently failing to get enough sleep may cause symptoms of depression or anxiety disorder. You may also be irritable and find it difficult to maintain healthy and positive relationships.

Additionally, OSA can increase the likelihood that you will be involved in a serious accident when you are driving or doing other tasks that require fast reactions and a high level of alertness.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Man placing an oral appliance for sleep apnea therapy

Some patients use a CPAP (or continuous positive airway pressure) machine to manage sleep apnea symptoms. However, this design is not ideal for everyone. Many individuals find that their CPAP is uncomfortable, so they do not use it as directed.

A reasonable alternative, especially for those with mild to moderate sleep apnea, is an oral appliance. Our dental office uses Panthera oral appliances to help reposition the jaw and increase space inside the mouth for better airflow. This in turn reduces the number of apneas that can occur, making it much easier to get a better night's sleep. In order to determine if an oral appliance would suit your case, we may use our CBCT scanner to gain a better understanding of your airway.

Sleep Apnea FAQs

Does Everyone Who Snores Have Sleep Apnea?

Snoring and sleep apnea are two separate issues. Snoring is simply the sound that occurs when air moves past tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate. In contrast, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical condition that actually causes you to stop breathing.

In many cases, the tissues that vibrate during snoring are the same ones that block the flow of air during OSA episodes. Therefore, loud snoring is one of the most common symptoms of OSA.

However, it is important to note that snoring does not automatically mean a person has OSA, and not everyone with OSA snores.

How Long Are Apnea Events or Episodes?

An apnea is a cessation of breathing that lasts for 10 seconds or longer. A hypopnea is an episode where there is at least a 30% reduction in airflow that lasts for 10 seconds or longer. In some cases, these events can last for up to 2 minutes and may occur anywhere from 5 to 30 times in a single hour. Indeed, some people with severe OSA experience hundreds of pauses in breathing in a single night! Mild OSA is considered 5 – 15 events per hour, and moderate OSA is between 15 and 30 events per hour, and severe is 30 or more per hour.

Can I Diagnose Sleep Apnea on My Own?

While you can certainly recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, this condition is not officially self-diagnosable.

In order to find out for sure whether you have it, you will need to undergo a sleep test. This test may happen in a laboratory or in your own home. During it, advanced sensors will monitor your vital signs. Afterward, a sleep physician will analyze your results to determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe your condition is.

If you believe you need a sleep test, it may be helpful for you to keep a sleep journal, which can contain details about the duration and quality of your nightly sleep, as well as factors that might be affecting it. Your doctor can use that information to determine whether a sleep test might be right for you.

Will My Sleep Apnea Go Away If I Lose Weight?

In some cases, OSA occurs because extra fatty tissue around the neck or abdomen is placing pressure on the airway, leading to breathing problems. Therefore, losing weight might lead to a reduction in symptoms. Some people even find that their OSA goes away completely after they shed some weight.

Of course, it must be acknowledged that obesity is not the only potential cause of OSA. Even very slim people may develop this condition due to anatomical abnormalities in their airway.

Are There At-Home Remedies for Sleep Apnea?

No at-home remedies can completely replace professional sleep apnea therapy. However, there are things you can do that may help to reduce your symptoms and lead to higher-quality sleep. For example, the following steps may prove beneficial: